Left Brained Vs. Right Brained?

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In summary, the narrator of SciShow brought up the topic of people being left-brained or right-brained, which has been popularized by Betty Edwards' book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". However, the idea that right-brained individuals are more creative is a misunderstanding of Edwards' work. Her book actually focuses on teaching people to draw realistically by quieting the inner monologue and seeing things as they are. This idea has been distorted in popular culture to equate right-brained people with creativity, which is not what Edwards intended to teach.
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Abtinnn
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SciShow just posted a new video: "Are People Really Left-Brained or Right-Brained?"



What do you guys think?
 
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Abtinnn said:
What do you guys think?
This is old news.

The narrator neglected to mention what was probably the most influential book in disseminating this idea, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards. What's ironic about that, is this myth: right brain = art brain = creative brain, is a misunderstanding of what she said. She didn't see the Right Brain or R-mode as creative at all. In fact, the point of drawing in "R-mode" was that this was a way to draw realistically as opposed to 'creatively'. The problem with people who can't draw realistically, in her experience, was that they couldn't see realistically. That is: they are constantly trying to reduce what they see to some formula or drawing procedure (an L-mode kind of activity) instead of simply reproducing what they are looking at. Her book is full of exercises to teach people to actually see what they're looking at, which involves a quieting of the interior monolog. If you stop talking to yourself, she asserts, you'll see things more as they literally are. And that is key for people who want to draw realistically.

Anyway, this got garbled in popular culture into pretty much the opposite of what she said. "Accessing your right brain" became erroneously synonymous with being creative. Her book doesn't teach creativity. It teaches realistic drawing.
 

1. What does it mean to be left brained or right brained?

Being left brained or right brained refers to the popularized idea that individuals have dominant traits and thinking styles associated with one side of their brain. The left side is typically associated with logical, analytical thinking, while the right side is associated with creativity and intuition.

2. Is the concept of left brain vs. right brain supported by science?

While the idea of distinct left and right brain dominance is a popular one, it is not supported by scientific evidence. Studies have shown that both sides of the brain work together and are essential for various cognitive functions. While certain tasks may be more dominant in one side of the brain, there is no evidence that individuals are solely left or right brained.

3. Can a person change their dominant side of the brain?

No, it is not possible for a person's dominant side of the brain to change. While individuals may have certain strengths or preferences in certain areas, both sides of the brain are constantly working together.

4. Are there any benefits to being left brained or right brained?

Both sides of the brain have their strengths and play crucial roles in cognitive functioning. For example, individuals with a dominant left brain may excel in tasks that require logical and analytical thinking, while individuals with a dominant right brain may excel in tasks that require creativity and intuition. However, it is important to note that individuals use both sides of their brain for various tasks and no one side is inherently better than the other.

5. How can I determine my dominant side of the brain?

There is no scientific method to determine an individual's dominant side of the brain. Personality tests or quizzes claiming to do so are not based on scientific evidence. It is important to recognize that both sides of the brain work together and it is not useful to label oneself as solely left or right brained.

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