Research into the brain has shown that the brain is divided into two distinct halves, as can be seen from the illustration below.
The left hemisphere of the brain is analytical (taking ideas apart), linear (one step after another), and verbal (both written and spoken). It builds sentences, solves equations and is responsible for technology and science.
The right hemisphere of the brain is synthetic (putting ideas together, holistic (grasping relationships in a single step), and imagistic (thinking with the “mind’s eye”). It listens to music, appreciates three-dimensional objects and is responsible for imagination.
Most people tend to be left hemisphere dominant. The belief used to be that we are all born one way or the other, but research suggests that, in fact, we are all born with equal access to left and right brain activity, but that we are simply pre-conditioned to use the left more. The result is that not only do most people communicate and think from a limited perspective, they do so without realising they can create a more balanced approach. This thinking is already prevalent in research and education, and business is starting to take notice. The following quotes are just a few samples that reinforce the point:
Roger Sperry, Nobel Prize winner 1981:
‘The main theme to emerge...is that there appear to be two modes of thinking, verbal and nonverbal, represented rather separately in left and right hemisphere respectively and that our education system, as well as science in general, tends to neglect the nonverbal form of intellect. What it comes down to is that modern society discriminates against the right hemisphere.’
Guy Claxton, Professor of Education and Psychology at Bristol University
Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind, Examination of Creative Thinking, ‘We are all born with creative minds, creativity is mainly learnt.’
Barry Buzan, Mind Mapping
‘The more times a mental event happens, the more times it is likely to happen again.’
The Mind Gym
‘Wake up you mind - All of us who want to discover how we can use our minds more effectively so that we can get more out of life and give more to others.’
Alistair Smith, author of Accelerated Learning in the Classroom
‘The brain develops best in environments with high levels of sensory stimulation...The hemispheres of the brain process information in different ways and when we have the beginnings of an understanding of such differences then we can begin to create the synergy of left and right hemisphere learning...The most recent research suggests that music can aid learning in three ways. It can carry content. It makes neural networks more receptive for learning. It can energise or relax, enhancing the ‘state’ or readiness for learning.’
Brain Gym, devised by Paul and Gail Dennison
‘Brain Gym is a series of simple and enjoyable movements…to enhance the experience of whole-brain learning’