1. Dominance
in the brain
1, 273
x 421 ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. …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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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