Gray Matter
What does it mean to be right-brain?
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EmailI’m not an expert, but I have heard over the years that artist types are “right-brain” thinkers. Hence the title of my monthly column—According to Right Brain. Even though I haven’t peeked under the hood, I am certain I have only one brain in there. So what does it mean to be right-brain?
American psychologist Roger W. Sperry discovered in the late 1960s that our gray matter has two very different ways of thinking.
- The right brain (or right hemisphere) is visual and processes information intuitively as a big picture first, and then looks at detail. It controls the left side of our bodies.
- The left brain (or left hemisphere) is verbal and analytical, looking at the pieces first to put it together as a whole. It controls the right side of our bodies.
Sperry won a Nobel Prize for this original premise.
OK…so I am a right handed artist! I think it is safe to say that our gray matter isn’t so black and white.
If you are wondering if you lean toward being left- or right-brain dominant, this video of a woman spinning will give you a quick answer. See if you can make her switch directions.
What Are Characteristics of Left-Brain and Right-Brain Thinking?
| Left (Rational) | Right (Intuitive) |
| Responds to verbal instructions | Responds to demonstrated instructions |
| Problem-solves logically | Problem-solves with hunches |
| Looks at differences | Looks at similarities |
| Is planned and structured | Is fluid and spontaneous |
| Prefers established, certain information | Prefers elusive, uncertain information |
| Prefers talking and writing | Prefers drawing and manipulating objects |
| Prefers multiple-choice tests | Prefers open-ended questions |
| Controls feelings | Free with feelings |
| Prefers ranked authority structures | Prefers collegial authority structures |
Source: http://www.web-us.com/brain/right_left_brain_characteristics.htm
Is One Side Better Than the Other?
Heck no. We use both all the time. Here is an example. I can picture what my red VW bug looks like in my mind or where the furniture is in my living room (right brain). I can add 4 + 4 (left brain). The name of the thing I am typing on is a keyboard (left brain).
Do You Feel You Are Incapable of Something Like Drawing?
A lot of people tell me they could never draw—that they can only draw stick figures. If you want to test yourself, check out this classic book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
There are several quizzes available online to help you figure out if you are a right- or left-brainer. Here’s a sample one you can try. (You’ll need a pen or pencil to record your answers.)
And lastly, here’s one more remarkable video - a TED talk by neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor - who actually experienced a massive stroke…and was able to monitor her brain functions as they shut down one by one. In the video she makes interesting observations about the 2 halves of the brain.
Comment below. I really want to know what you “think.”
Ann Troe (@AnnieDoodlebugz) is graphic designer and illustrator.
http://AnnGraphics.com
http://AnniesDoodlebugz.com
Comments
Matt (not verified) says:
February 1, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Ann, I think the video example you provided is excellent. I viewed the dancer as rotating counter-clockwise, which I guess means I use more of my left brain. I even tried doing mental math but couldn’t make myself see the rotation in the opposite direction. You know what though? I’m actually left-handed. This leaves me really thinking about how much I’m actually in my “right brain”, lol!
Susan Nellson Baird says:
February 1, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
I love, love, love this post, Ann! I’m dying to hear what other people saw in the video. The dancer very obviously spun clockwise for me, and about 3/4 of the way through the video I somehow managed to get her to spin the opposite direction, but she flipped back.
You make great points about how we utilize both sides of our brain, and while I agree that we can always be working to strengthen our brain flexibility, I have to say… I still can’t draw! :)
Thanks, as always, for making me think on both sides of my brain!!
Kathy Arends (not verified) says:
February 1, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Great article Ann. You always get me to think! :) For some unknown reason, I got the girl to spin both directions a couple of times. Have no idea how I did that! lol
Ann Troe says:
February 1, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Matt!
Good to meet a fellow “opposite” (your left handed and left brain, I’m right handed and right brain) Maybe if the experts tested us they would find we are really using both sides of our brains a lot. It would be cool if we could figure out where the spinning woman video originated from.
Susan! - I like that we can have such a great time discussing an issue! One of the things I like best about you. It is fun to make the spinning woman flip the other direction AND can drive me nuts trying to figure out how I do that! For me, thinking of a simple math problem works sometimes since I see her in the “right brain direction” automatically ;-)
Kathy! Thanks for checking out my article ;-D No surprise to me you can get her to flip back and forth… I have seen you be totally deep in conversation on the golf course and then sink a really long putt.
You all are wonderful for leaving your comments. Can’t wait to see what others will say.
Ann
not OK brother (not verified) says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
The strangest thing happened while I was trying to get her to spin counter clockwise.. I giant pole appeared! I wonder what brain made that happen?
Ann Troe says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Hey Everybody!
I am getting some great emails from all of you! I just want to mention that it is not big deal is you can’t get her to flip directions…. your alive - your using both sides of your beautiful brain!
OK Brother (not verified) says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Great article! Of course, my left brain required me to step through your article and attached quizzes and videos in the order they are presented. Very interesting. This will come as no surprise to you, but I did not score very many points on the left/right quiz. I’m guessing that it may take me quite a while (if ever) to get the spinning woman to go clockwise.
OK, I’ve spent exactly 27 minutes on this. I must get back on task for the day.
BTW - I like your new website.
Ann Troe says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
OK Brother,
Just Big hugs for the support! AND your left brain is amazing ;-D
Ann Troe says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
NOT OK brother,
I appreciate you keeping your comments clean!
Hah!
Jo M. Lynch (not verified) says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Hi Ann, As always you bring a wonderful subject to the table with great references. I did all of the fun stuff in the article. Of course I saw the gal going clockwise… too weird how some of us see it one way and others another way… I can’t see how people can see it going the other way. Her right arm is extended and she’s going clockwise. I was able to make her switch directions only once and only for a few seconds.. then she went back. On the test, I scored 19 out of 21… More of the Right Brained stuff… and to top everything off, I adored the video. My best friend where I live has been living with a hubby who had a hemorrhagic stroke last May, similar to the lady in the video. I found the video fascinating… I shared the article with her too. Fascinating subject to me.. the way the mind works is always a curiosity… Thanks for all of the reference material… You are the BEST!!!!!!
Keep writing… Off to spread the word…. :)
Jo ~ http://whimzicals.com
Ann Troe says:
February 2, 2011 : 1 year 16 weeks ago
Jo,
LOADS of gratitude for sharing my article!
I didn’t score quite as high as you on the test - I have a a little more left brain stuff going on.
Would be fun to have an expert give us feed back.
Georgie (not verified) says:
February 8, 2011 : 1 year 15 weeks ago
Great post. No wonder I’m crazy. The girl flip-flopped from clockwise to counter clockwise with me. I guess my left brain is competing with my right brain. Very interesting.
Ann Troe says:
February 8, 2011 : 1 year 15 weeks ago
That sounds cool! I can get her to flop, but I have to “think about it”.
It is fun how we are all a bit different.
THANKS for reading!
Georgie McNeese says:
February 8, 2011 : 1 year 15 weeks ago
I had to think about it to get her to go counterclockwise the first time. After that she flip flopped on her own.
Ann Troe says:
February 8, 2011 : 1 year 15 weeks ago
Georgie
She always starts out clockwise for me.
I have been having such fun with the comments I get here, on Twitter and through email.
Share this with your friends and see which way their brains “lean”.
Your input is fantastic! ;-D
Georgie McNeese says:
February 8, 2011 : 1 year 15 weeks ago
I’ll include this link in my next blog post.
Ann Troe says:
February 8, 2011 : 1 year 15 weeks ago
Georgie!
THANKS for making my WEEK! ;-D
Daphne Eck says:
February 16, 2011 : 1 year 14 weeks ago
This is so great! I first saw the dancer spinning counter-clockwise, then it switched, then back again. I started testing it. When I did basic addition in my head the dancer spinned clockwise. When I quoted poetry to myself it’d switch back to counter-clockwise. Amazing to get a little view into how our brains work!
Ann Troe says:
February 16, 2011 : 1 year 14 weeks ago
Hi Daphne
So glad you enjoyed the article… I find it VERY fascinating! I have been talking with people - and I have yet to find someone who would be an expert in this field. (As I mentioned before) it would be neat to see what they have to say!
I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful day!
David the Philomath (not verified) says:
April 18, 2011 : 1 year 5 weeks ago
I cant understand how someone can see the dancer turning anti clockwise. Very interesting. I believe the left-brain-right-brain notion has been manipulated and has served to be an excuse for people to become lazy. Check out the article I wrote on the subject if you’re interested in my point of view.
The Left-Brain-Right-Brain Misconception:
Ann Troe says:
April 18, 2011 : 1 year 5 weeks ago
Hey David!
I suspect I should say that I am not an expert by any means in the matters of the brain. I am a business owner/ graphic designer / illustrator / wife / mom…. you get the idea.
I always see her going counter clock wise at first! then if I look at her foot up in the air… I can get her to switch.
SO Who the heck knows how important that is? - not my point. We all use both sides of our brain. I do know that it is probably not a great idea to suggest that “right brainers” are lazy - Just like suggesting if you are a right-hander, your lazy. Oh wait! How about because I have brown eyes - I am lazy! You get the idea that labels are rarely One-Size-Fits-All.
It is all good and we all “see” things differently - that what makes life fun and interesting in my opinion.
Thanks for reading and your comment!
Texas (not verified) says:
August 30, 2011 : 38 weeks 5 days ago
Here in Texas people with so called disorder of hearing voices are cured in 3 days without meds. Psychiatry is a hoax. Nami is a joke… Dont listen to this woman.
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