Chapter THIRTEEN


Updated December 2004

Brain Dominance and Hemispherical Thinking

This chapter coupled with the above information is an extension of the chapter on brain hierarchical arenas.

The left hemisphere (LH) specializes in verbal and numerical information processed sequentially in a linear and ordered manner. It is the active, verbal, logical, rational and analytic part of the brain; capable of cataloging and analyzing information. It is most adept at language, math, logic operations and processing of serial sequences of information. It has a bias for detailed and speed-optimized activities that are required for voluntary muscle control and the processing of fine visual details. The Right Hemisphere (RH) is the intuitive, creative, primarily non-verbal part of our brain and it deals in three-dimensional forms and images. It sees the forest rather than the trees and is capable of understanding complex configurations and structures. The right hemisphere is stronger at pattern recognition, face recognition, spatial relationships, nonverbal ideation, syllablization and intonation of language and the parallel processing of diverse information. It has a visceral motor bias and deals with large time domains.

The hemispheres are further subdivided into Forebrain (FB) and Hindbrain (HB) bundles. The thinking and problem solving attributes of left HB (LHB) dominant people are characterized as being logical, analytical, rational, objective and critical. These are people whom are talented in technical or quantitative endeavors. These people use practical judgment and have an empirical, incisive view of problems and situations. They are very good at dealing with concrete situations and seek quantitative precision.

On the other hand, left FB (LFB) individuals are characterized as practical, pragmatic, decisive, realistic, organized and detail oriented. These people seek solutions that meet current needs, are good at tactics and pursue the shortest route to payoff. They are good at setting up agendas and like to develop schedules and plans. They usually accept conventional values and provide stability and structure to their organizations.

The thinking and problem solving attributes of RFB individuals are characterized as imaginative, innovative, intuitive, artistic and visually oriented. These people do well in tasks calling for synthesizing and conceptualizing abilities. They also have an integrative and more comprehensive view of situations and problems. They are able to consider and weigh a broad range of viewpoints and think strategically. They are good at gathering, assembling, comparing and reshuffling ideas which enables them to come up with unique and dynamic concepts. They prefer to work independently, pursue their own way rather than ready-made solutions and often take risks and break rules that impede progress.

RHB individuals are participative, supportive, empathic, interpersonal, affiliative, idealistic and emotional. Many have highly developed aesthetic sensitivity and tend to be artistic and spiritual. They are good at creating an idealistic, integrative image of reality. They tend to thrive on an internal sense of motivation and purpose. They like to challenge traditional assumptions and prefer to think speculatively.

All the above tends to fill out in greater detail the information on brain hierarchy of function. This chapter and the one on Astrology set the stage for a synthesis and overview of the relatively new scientific discipline of Astrobiology.

The Macrocosm Within