Is it true that the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for logic, and the right - for creativity?

Many believe that behind half the human brain, certain areas of thinking are strictly fixed: for example, behind the right - analytical abilities and rationality, behind the left - fantasy and intuition. We checked whether this is really so.

There are allegations of such a division of functions in many books on popular psychology and self -improvement, such as "Success. The main methods of achievement ", "Raise your financial IQ", "The power of habits: how to become truly successful" and others. There are stories about the division of brain functions and in some textbooks, in particular in "General and theater psychology" Edited by Savostyanov and "Lesson developments on biology" Edited by Konstantinova. On the Internet You can find And there are many colorful pictures describing the differences between the hemispheres of the human brain.

The common belief, apparently, comes from the works of the American researcher Roger Spirri. This scientist from the middle of the last century Studied The so -called separated brain - roughly speaking, how the functioning of the nervous system will change if you remove the corpus callosal body connecting the two hemispheres. Spirri managed to demonstrate that the isolated left hemisphere for its purpose is more likely to perform an analytical function and somewhat similar to a computer. The right hemisphere interprets the auditory impressions, contributes to the spatial consciousness, the reproduction of three -dimensional objects and the understanding of “complex relationships”. In 1981, Sperry received the Nobel Prize for his research, and in a press release It was said: “Almost 50 years ago, the great Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov came to the conclusion that humanity can be divided into thinkers and artists. Perhaps the left hemisphere is dominant by thinkers, and the right is the right from artists. ”

Based on the premise about the separation of the “spheres of responsibility” between the hemispheres, some suggest that the brains of different gifted people are really different. For example, mathematicians should be better developed the left hemisphere, and the artists should be right. In 2013, a group of American neurobiologists decided check This hypothesis studied examinations of more than 1000 people aged 7 to 29 years. The results of the work denied the popular belief: scientists came to the conclusion that strong neural connections are evenly distributed across the brain, regardless of people's talents. “Undoubtedly, some have a more methodical and logical style of thinking, while others have more relaxed and spontaneous. But this is in no way connected with different functions of the right and left hemisphere at any level, ” - declared One of the co -authors of the study by Jeffrey Anderson.

The hemispheres really have “specializations”, but they are not connected with the logic and rationality or creativity and intuition. For example, due to problems with the right hemisphere, it can significantly decrease The ability to draw and even banal reproduction of the simplest geometric shapes, and especially their mutual location on a sheet of paper. In case of damage to the center of Brock and the center of Wernik, which are located on the left side of the brain, a person Risk Lost speech abilities. However, a recent study of American scientists proved: If such injuries were obtained in early childhood, the brain can adapt and “convey” part of the functions from one hemisphere to another.

Although in many situations one of the two hemispheres can really play a decisive function, this does not mean that it performs a particular task alone. Often, both hemispheres are involved in its decision, but in different roles. Neurobiologist Sergey Salozhin Conducted Such an example: “If you need to write the presentation, its content must first be understood, and the right and left hemisphere will participate in this. But in the very compilation of the text, the left hemisphere will be more involved. ” Moreover, the degree of participation of the hemispheres in the same process can change With age.

In other words, to asserting a strict separation of brain functions is to at least significantly simplify the complexity and versatility of the system, which neurobiologists have been studying for many decades. Sophie Scott from London University College Concludes: “There are many ways to perceive and process information. But the reduction of this to the "logical" left hemisphere and the "creative" right contradicts what we see in the work of the brain. In addition, this also suggests that you can use one hemisphere more than another, and this is not quite as it is arranged in reality. ”

Half truth

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. Is it true that a person uses only a small fraction of the brain?
2. "Postnuka." 5 myths about the brain
3. BBC. Myths ABOUT OUR MINDS