A Comparison and Contrast of the Left and Right Hemispheres of the Brain
The inquiry into the differences and similarities of the right and left hemispheres started as early as the 19th century. A French physician by the name Paul Bruca who practiced in the mid 1800s observed that one of his patients had suffered from severe speech problems for 30 years. This made him unable to speak despite the fact that he could understand words spoken to him. On close inspection, the physician realized that part of the patients left hemisphere had been damaged by a syphilis induced lesion. This was one of the pioneer reasons as to why language function was linked to the left side of the brain. Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield discovered that electrical stimulation of the brain areas responsible for movement in one side of the brain caused the muscles on the other side of the body to contract. These researches however did not explain how the two sides of the brain worked independently (Stergiopoulos Par 4-6)
Split brain research in the 1960s opened more doors into the understanding of how the two hemispheres of the brain work. These researches focus on individuals whose corpus callosum, a bundle of neural fibers that connects the right to the left hemispheres of the brain, has been removed. In such individuals, no communication takes place between the two hemispheres. Experiments done on these individuals have helped the scientists to better understand the functions of the two divisions of the human brain (Stergiopoulos, Par. 7).
Sperruired and Gazzinigas study required split-brain patients to watch a screen where words and pictures appeared briefly in their right or left visual fields. Each eye communicates information to the other side of the brain. This means that if the right eye perceives information, this information will be interpreted in the left side of the brain and vice versa. According to the experiment, patients had no problem interpreting visual aids presented on the right. This is because the visual information was relayed to the left hemisphere this is the hemisphere concerned with language. However, patients had problems naming or even identifying the same stimuli when it was presented on the left side. The reason to this observation was the fact that information went to the right hemisphere, and since there was no communication between the two hemispheres, it could not be transferred to the right hemisphere for interpretation in terms of language (Stergiopoulos Par 8).
The brain may be divided into two hemispheres, but it ideally functions as one unit. There is high cooperation and communication between the two hemispheres such that the functional differences in the two sides are negligible. The human brain is a cooperative composed of thousands of individual reactive decision mechanisms, each with its own memory, interconnected with all others. The decision of these mechanisms is so fast and in harmony that we perceive the entire system as being the thought of one mechanism which in effect, the whole system becomes (One life, Par. 4).
The two hemispheres are also perceived to work as one unit due to the coordination and efficient communication between them. None of the hemispheres can work alone without involving the other. Between these two halves, a massive communication link lies. This is known as the corpus callosum, and connects the two hemispheres, hence allowing information to pass through. Under normal conditions, anything known by one side is known by the other immediately. The human selves are therefore made up of two thinking mechanisms that are so totally interconnected that it appears to be one, and indeed functions as one (One life, Par. 6).
Generally, the left and right hemispheres of the brain processes information in different ways. It is however evident that learning and thinking processes are enhanced when the two sides participate in a balanced manner. Discussed below are the functional differences that are evident in the two hemispheres.
First, it is important to note that the left side of the brain processes information in a linear manner. This part arranges information from part to whole. It brings pieces of information together and arranges them logically and finally draws conclusions. This is not the case with the right brain. It processes the information from whole to parts. This part of the brain sees the whole picture first and then proceeds to the details. The right side begins with the answer, not the question (Frank, Par. 2). For those who are right brained, it becomes hard to follow a presentation without being given the whole picture first. It is therefore recommended for a right brained person to read the background of a chapter before embarking on the actual reading. One may also need to ask a lecturer what the next lecture will be all about and how to prepare for it so that one can understand better during the actual presentation. Right brained people also have problems outlining. If it is required, most write the paper first and then make an outline later. These are students who always seek to know why they are doing something (Frank, Par. 2).
The left brain processes information in sequence. The left brained individuals are list makers and enjoy making master schedules and daily planning. Such people complete events in order and enjoy looking the up once they are done. Learning things that are arranged in a sequence appears easy for the left brained. However, things are different for the right brained. These individuals are random and may flit from one track to another. One may do so much but leave out the priorities. He or she may submit a late or incomplete report not because he or she is lazy, but because one spent time on other things of less importance. It is advised that such people should use the spell checker on the computer since their chances of making spelling mistakes are higher. One should also proofread any assignments before presenting them to avoid minor errors. This side of the brain is color sensitive and hence one may take that advantage and use color to learn sequence. (Frank Par 3)
Another major difference between the two hemispheres from the functional point of view is the aspect of symbolic and concrete processing. The left brain can process symbols without a problem. To someone who is left brained, mathematical and linguistic notations are easy to comprehend. These individuals will just memorize vocabulary words and mathematical formulas. But to the right brained, this is a major problem. The right brained want things that are presented to them to be concrete. They find it hard to comprehend and interpret symbols. They prefer to see words in use in order to understand them, and interact with formulas at work. For these people, it is advisable to use something concrete while solving problems. For example, one may need to draw out a mathematical problem before solving it (Frank, Par. 4).
According to Frank (Par. 6), there is a difference in verbal representation between the left brained and right brained individuals. For the left brained, expressing themselves verbally is not a problem. However, this is not the case with the right brained. The right brained may know what they want but encounter difficulties finding the right words to use. The right brained will most of the times use non verbal aids such as gestures to make themselves understood.
Frank suggests that the left side of the brain deals with things the way they are. It therefore operates from the reality point of view. Left brained people find it easy to adjust to their environment. However, this is not the case with right brained individuals. Instead of adjusting to the environment, they try to change it to fit in their schedule. For the left brained, rules are there to be followed, and if there are no rules, they will make and follow them, since to them it is easier that way. They know the consequences of delaying a report or submitting an incomplete one. For the right brained person however, there may be nothing wrong with it. It is therefore important for these people to constantly ask for feedback and reality checks. Keep careful records of the things they are supposed to do, and do the assignments in time. One may also need to visit his or her superior regularly for updates on how one is progressing. It is however important to note that the right brained individuals are very creative.
Conclusion
These are some of the functional differences and similarities between the two hemispheres. Doreen Kimura, a professor of psychology, appreciates the fact that people differ in the way they behave and do things. This topic on functional differences has not been exhaustively covered and more research is going on. However, as Chudler in Neuroscience for Kids suggests, it is important for one to appreciate the dominant part of the brain and strengthen the weak one. It is important for all to appreciate their fellow human beings regardless of the hemisphere which is dominant in them. This will make all of them to be better individuals who are ready face all challenges that life brings.
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