Left vs Right Brain Thinking

The human brain is physically divided into two connected hemispheres, left and right. Research has shown that although these two halves of the brain work closely together there is a definite degree of specialisation, a process kown as lateralisation (or "lateralizaion"). The degree to which this takes place is open to dispute. It certainly exists at some level but probably not to the extent claimed by some pop psychology. Regardless of that it still provides an interesting and useful metaphor for considering creativity.

Cerebral Specialisation

In general the left side of the brain is usually associated with logical, reasoning type activity. It plays safe and follows systematic, convergent patterns of thought. Mathematics and language are often associated with the left brain.

The right side of the brain is usually associated with visual and musical activitty, emotional empathy, etc. It takes risks and makes leaps of divergent thought. It is often known as the artistic side of the brain.

For example: When you saw the word "Brains" in the section index, did you think of neurology? Or of zombies?

Someone - I forget who - once told me an excellent mnemonic for remembering which side is which:

L is Logical
R is Artistic

Lateralisation and Creativity

Both sides of the brain are needed for the complete creative process. However the right side is the one most needed for the initial, idea generating phase. It is the right side of the brain that is more useful in generating new ideas and synthesising concepts, in breaking away from conventional patterns of thought. The left side of the brain is better at analysing and criticising these new ideas. Very often "left brain" functionality is applied too early in the creative process and ideas are rejected as "impractical" before being fully explored.

Unfortunately our society tends to value "left brain thinking" more than right. In particular much of our education system stresses left brain activity.

Many creativity techniques and courses stress ways to enhance and stimulate right brain activity. Once the right brain has generated creative ideas then the left brain can be usefully called upon to sort, sift and analyse them in detail.

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