Dominance in the brain 1, 273 x 421 ?

Left hemisphere functions reasoning number skills written language 1, 273 x 421 ? reasoning number skills written language speech right-side control

Right hemisphere functions imagination shapes & forms 1, 273 x 421 ? imagination shapes & forms art, color & design music left-side control

Someone who is “left-brained” tends to favor the brain functions housed in the left hemisphere. right-side control left-side control

Someone who is “right-brained” tends to favor the brain functions housed in the right hemisphere. right-side control left-side control

…means stronger, controlling, or more powerful Dominance …means stronger, controlling, or more powerful

Dominance …means stronger, controlling, or more powerful …and the LEFT hemisphere is almost always dominant.

Dominance The LEFT hemisphere is almost always dominant …even in people who are considered “right-brained”!

Dominance The LEFT hemisphere is almost always dominant …even in people who are considered “right-brained”! How is this possible?...

(This sometimes causes confusion.) Dominance is different from the idea of saying someone is “right-brained” or “left-brained”. (This sometimes causes confusion.)

…but not necessarily stronger than their own left hemisphere. Dominance If someone is “right-brained,” it means their right hemisphere is stronger than most other people’s right hemispheres …but not necessarily stronger than their own left hemisphere.

So why is the left hemisphere almost always dominant? 1, 273 x 421 ? reasoning imagination number skills shapes & forms written language art, color & design speech music right-side control left-side control

More of the functions performed by the left hemisphere are skills that everyone in our society is taught from an early age. right-side control left-side control

Perhaps this is because they tend to be skills that are more necessary for basic survival in our society. right-side control left-side control

The functions performed by the right hemisphere represent special abilities that provide life’s entertainment or luxury. right-side control left-side control

For most of us, those brain cells do not receive enough training to develop networks as dense as the left hemisphere. right-side control left-side control

Therefore, the left hemisphere is almost always dominant. right-side control left-side control

Why are most people right-handed? right-side control left-side control

First, you must know about the “switcheroo” in the nervous system... right-side control left-side control

The LEFT hemisphere controls the RIGHT side of the body… right-side control left-side control

The LEFT hemisphere controls the RIGHT side of the body… and vice-versa! Switcheroo! right-side control left-side control

So…why are most people right-handed? right-side control left-side control

Because the left hemisphere is almost always dominant Because the left hemisphere is almost always dominant! Therefore, for most of us, the right side of the body is stronger and better coordinated. right-side control left-side control

There are many right-handed people who are “right-brained”— but left-handed people who are “left-brained” are more rare. right-side control left-side control

In other words… If you are right-handed you could be either left-brained or right-brained, but if you are left-handed you are much more likely to be “right-brained”. right-side control left-side control

Of course, there are some people whose right hemispheres are truly dominant. These people are almost always left-handed. Also, they are often excellent artists or musicians. right-side control left-side control