Highlights
- The left-brain vs. right-brain personality idea is a myth.
- Some functions lean toward one hemisphere, but both sides work together constantly.
- Brain scans of over 1,000 people found no overall left- or right-brain dominance.
- Creativity and logic both rely on networks across the whole brain.
Are you a logical, detail-oriented person who loves numbers and lists? Then you might have been told you're "left-brained." Do you prefer art, intuition, and big-picture thinking? Then you've probably heard you're "right-brained." The left brain vs. right brain idea is one of the most popular concepts in pop psychology, appearing in quizzes, career guides, and classrooms around the world.
But is it true? The short answer is no, at least not in the way most people think. In this article, we'll explore where the idea came from, what the two hemispheres really do, and why the truth about your brain is even more interesting than the myth.
Where the Left-Brain, Right-Brain Idea Came From
The idea has roots in genuine, Nobel Prize-winning science. In the 1960s, neuroscientist Roger Sperry and his colleagues, including Michael Gazzaniga, studied patients who had undergone "split-brain" surgery. To treat severe epilepsy, surgeons had cut the corpus callosum, the thick bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two halves of the brain.
With the hemispheres disconnected, researchers could test each side separately. They found that each hemisphere had some specialized abilities. For example, in most people, the left hemisphere was more involved in producing language, while the right hemisphere was more involved in certain spatial tasks and recognizing faces.
Sperry received the Nobel Prize in 1981 for this work. But as the findings moved into popular culture, they were stretched far beyond what the research showed. The idea emerged that people are dominated by one side, and that this determines their personality and talents.
What the Two Hemispheres Actually Do
Your brain is divided into two hemispheres, connected by the corpus callosum. Some functions do lean more heavily on one side, a pattern called lateralization.
Functions That Lean Left (in Most People)
- Producing and understanding grammar and speech
- Reading and writing
- Some aspects of calculation
- Controlling the right side of the body
Functions That Lean Right (in Most People)
- Recognizing faces
- Processing spatial relationships
- Interpreting tone of voice and emotional expression
- Attention to the left side of space
- Controlling the left side of the body
But here's the key point: even for these specialized functions, both hemispheres work together. Language, for example, depends on the left hemisphere for grammar and vocabulary but on the right hemisphere for understanding tone, humor, and context. Math involves both sides. Creativity draws on networks spread across the entire brain.
The Research That Debunked the Myth
In 2013, researchers at the University of Utah analyzed brain scans from more than 1,000 people, looking for evidence that some people consistently use one hemisphere more than the other. They found that while specific functions were lateralized, individuals did not show an overall "left-brained" or "right-brained" pattern. People used both hemispheres roughly equally across their brain networks.
In other words, a person's personality, talents, or learning style can't be explained by a dominant hemisphere.
Why Creativity and Logic Aren't on Opposite Sides
The myth often paints creativity as a right-brain activity and logic as a left-brain activity. But research shows that creative thinking involves the dynamic interaction of several large-scale brain networks, including:
- The default mode network, involved in imagination and idea generation
- The executive control network, involved in evaluating and refining ideas
- The salience network, which helps switch between the two
These networks span both hemispheres. A brilliant scientist and a gifted painter both rely on their whole brain.
So Why Do People Have Different Strengths?
People clearly differ in their talents and preferences. Some love numbers, others love painting. These differences come from a combination of genetics, experience, education, interests, practice, and personality, not from which side of the brain is in charge.
And thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change with experience, your skills aren't fixed. A self-described "word person" can become better at math with practice, and a "logical thinker" can develop artistic skill.
Why the Myth Can Be Limiting
Labeling yourself as left- or right-brained can unintentionally hold you back. If you believe you're "not a math person" or "not creative" because of your brain type, you might avoid activities that could help you grow. Research by Carol Dweck on growth mindset shows that believing abilities can be developed leads to greater persistence and achievement.
How to Use Your Whole Brain
Instead of favoring one side, aim to challenge your brain in diverse ways:
- Mix logic and creativity. Try both sudoku and sketching, both chess and music.
- Learn something outside your comfort zone. If you're analytical, take up painting. If you're artistic, try coding or logic puzzles.
- Do brain training that targets varied skills, such as memory, spatial reasoning, language, attention, and speed.
- Play an instrument, which engages both hemispheres intensively.
- Exercise, which supports overall brain health and connectivity.
- Use your non-dominant hand for simple tasks to challenge new pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the left-brain, right-brain theory completely false?
Not completely. Some functions are lateralized, meaning one hemisphere plays a larger role. But the idea that people are dominated by one side, which shapes personality, is a myth.
Are left-handed people right-brained?
The right hemisphere controls the left hand, but left-handed people aren't "right-brained" in terms of personality or thinking style. Most left-handed people still process language mainly in the left hemisphere.
Can I take a test to find out if I'm left- or right-brained?
Online quizzes may be fun, but they don't measure brain function. They mostly reflect your preferences and personality.
What connects the two sides of the brain?
The corpus callosum, a thick band of about 200 million nerve fibers, allows constant communication between the hemispheres.
How can I strengthen communication between brain hemispheres?
Activities that combine skills, such as playing music, dancing, juggling, and learning languages, engage both hemispheres and their connections.
What happens if one side of the brain is damaged?
Damage to one hemisphere, such as from a stroke, can affect the functions that lean on that side, like speech after left-side damage or attention to the left side of space after right-side damage. Rehabilitation can help other brain areas take over some functions.
Do men and women use their brain hemispheres differently?
Some studies have reported small average differences in brain connectivity, but there is enormous overlap between individuals. These differences don't sort people into left-brained or right-brained types.
Can brain games train both sides of the brain?
Yes. Varied brain training that mixes language, memory, spatial reasoning, attention, and speed engages networks across both hemispheres, which is exactly how the brain is designed to work.
Why do so many people still believe the myth?
It's simple, memorable, and flattering, offering an easy way to explain differences between people. But the real science, showing two hemispheres in constant partnership, is a far better guide to building your skills.
Key Takeaways
- The left-brain vs. right-brain personality idea is a myth.
- Some functions lean toward one hemisphere, but both sides work together constantly.
- Brain scans of over 1,000 people found no overall left- or right-brain dominance.
- Creativity and logic both rely on networks across the whole brain.
- Your skills can grow with practice, so challenge your brain in diverse ways.
You're not left-brained or right-brained. You're whole-brained. Embrace the full range of your abilities, try new challenges, and give your entire brain the workout it deserves.
This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. A qualified healthcare professional can help you evaluate choices in relation to your health history, medications, and individual needs.