THE POWERS

OF THE MIND
LEFT BRAIN/RIGHT BRAIN
DOMINANCE THEORY
AND BRAIN
LATERALIZATION

The left and right hemispheres of the

cerebrum perform different functions. The
right cerebral hemisphere is primarily
responsible for controlling the left side of
the body. The right side of the body is
controlled by the left cerebral hemisphere.
The first to note of the hemispheric differences in cognitive
function is the French physician Paul Broca. He encountered a
patient who was then referred to as Tan. He possessed a particular
speech disorder. Although he was able to understand everything
said to him, he was only able to produce sounds or syllables that
resemble the word "tan".

For Broca, one's ability to speak a language largely

depends on the inner workings of the left cerebral
hemisphere. This coincides with the assumption of the
Left brain/right brain dominance theory, which states that
certain cognitive abilities are influenced by particular area
of the brain.
BROCA'S
AREA
 SPLIT-BRAIN
PHENOMENA
In these split-brain patients, the main nerve
fiber tract connecting the cerebral
CORPUS CALLOSUM
hemispheres, corpus callosum, is severed for
the treatment of intractable epilepsy. As a
result, higher order information, such as that
about an item's identity cannot be transferred
from one hemisphere to the other. Thus,
information directed to a single hemisphere is
functionally isolated to that hemisphere.
SPLIT-BRAIN
PHENOMENA

American neurologist Roger

Sperry, along with his colleagues,
noted the relative specialization of
the cerebral hemispheres based
on their research.
Studies on split-brain patients have supported the idea that the two cerebral
hemispheres have corresponding specializations. In particular, as compared to
the right cerebral hemisphere that has a more limited vocabulary the left
cerebral hemispheres has been said to specialize on speech output and
phonological processing. Same could be said with regards to the other
cognitive functions. Although both cerebral hemispheres could perform all
other tasks, there are still "differing levels of ability and in different
manners".
The brain is said to be made up of different neurons, which
are "individual nerve cells which conduct electrical impulses.
Groups of neurons that is interconnected web of neurons
called "neural networks", perform different tasks.
CRITICISMS ON THE LEFT
BRAIN/RIGHT BRAIN
DOMINANCE THEORY
Recent findings in neuroscience have shown that "differences in performance
of the brain's hemisphere are more relative than absolute. Although it is true
that while the left cerebral hemisphere controls most of of our language-based
skills and the right hemisphere controls most of our creative, meaning-making
skills, the two are necessary for certain cognitive abilities, like reading.
Furthermore, one hemisphere is not exclusively associated with specific tasks.
It has been shown that the brain parts necessary for the ability to do well in
mathematics involve not only those in the left cerebral hemisphere.

Some psychologists have also questioned the reliability and validity of the left
brain/right brain dominance theory. They think that the theory does not give
us a consistent way of measuring cognitive abilities. It also tells us that we
could measure the dominance of a given brain part by looking at the cognitive
abilities we are good at. But this is not replicable in all cases. Some people will
have certain abilities associated with the left brain. Meanwhile, other abilities
will be associated with the right.
TOWARD A TWO-SYSTEM VIEW
OF HUMAN COGNITION
IN 1990'S A THEORY ABOUT THE TWO PROCESSES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN OUR
THINKING DEVELOPED. THIS THEORY IS KNOWN AS THE "DUAL SYSTEMS" OR DUAL
MINDS" THEORY.

THE BASIC IDEA OF THIS TWO-SYSTEM VIEW OF HUMAN COGNITION IS THAT OUR
THINKING INVOLVES TWO PROCESSES, WHICH SOMETIMES WORK TOGETHER
AND SOMETIMES GO AGAINST EACH OTHER. THEY ARE SIMPLY KNOWN AS
"SYSTEM 1 AND SYSTEM 2".

THE TWO-SYSTEM VIEW OF HUMAN COGNITION TELLS US THAT IN EVERY

THINKING TASK WE DO, THERE ARE TWO COGNITIVE PROCESSES AT PLAY.

ON THE ONE HAND, YOU HAVE AUTOMATIC. INTUITIVE PROCESSES WHERE OUR
JUDGMENTS AND REASONING RELY FAST THINKING AND READY-TO-HAND DATA.
ON THE OTHER HAND, LOGICAL PROCESSES WHERE OUR JUDGMENTS AND
REASONING RELY ON REFLECTIVE, CAREFUL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF THE
DATA.
THINK OF THE DECISIONS THAT YOU
HAVE MADE SO FAR IN YOUR LIFE.

CONSIDER THE RESULTS OF THESE

DECISIONS. WHICH OF YOUR DECISIONS
LED TO A POSITIVE RESULT? WHICH OF
THEM LED TO NEGATIVE RESULT?

REFLECT ON THE THINKING SYSTEM

THAT YOU HAVE EMPLOYED IN MAKING
THOSE DECISIONS, AND SEE WHAT
RESULTS YOU GOT FROM THEM.
 CONCEPT
MAPPING
Requires us to critically identify the logical
relationship between concepts. Connected
concepts are either in box or circles, and
words and phrases are used to explain the
link between concepts. Structure is often
hierarchical: broad concepts first followed
by more specific concepts.
1. First, identify a central idea, topic, or issue. Note that it helps if you just focus on one
question.
2. Next, list down ideas, topics, or issues related to this central idea, topic, or issue.
3. Place the central idea, topic, or issue in a box or circle at the top of your map
afterwards.
4. Then, place related ideas, topics, or issues, in a box or oval and link it to the central idea,
topic, or issue with arrows.
5. Finally, use connecting words or phrases tp identify the logical link between the central
idea, topic, or issue and the secondary idea, topic, or issue.

Mind maps

1. First, identify a central idea.

2. After identifying a central idea, represent this visually in your map using
colors, shapes, symbols, and drawings.
3. Next, develop the central idea by identifying related ideas them visually
represent these ideas in your map.
4. Be as creative as you can.