left brain
Rational thinking side
The left brain is the left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex, popularly associated with logical thinking, language, and analytical processing.
In common usage, left brain describes a personality type or thinking style that favors reason over intuition: She's very left brain—all spreadsheets and schedules.
The scientific basis for strict left-brain/right-brain personality types is largely debunked, but the shorthand persists.
Science of valid reasoning
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- sequentialOccurring in succession
- linearArranged in straight succession
structured · detail-oriented · organized · objective · deductive · rational · strategic · focused
Localization to one side
- corpus callosumInterhemispheric nerve bundle
- neuroplasticityBrain's self-rewiring ability
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- handednessPreferred limb dominance
right-handed · contralateral · localization · specialization · asymmetry · neuroscience
Language's structural rules
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- readingInterpreting written text
writing · spelling · verbal · articulation · comprehension · sentence structure · language processing · literal meaning
Mathematics of basic operations
- algebraMath using symbols
- calculusMathematical analysis system
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
- equationsMathematical equality statements
computation · numerical · statistics · formulas · quantitative · variables · fractions · decimals
Testable proposed explanation
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- data analysisSystematic information interpretation
research · evidence · methodology · replication · laboratory · measurement · classification · documentation
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- sequentialOccurring in succession
linear · structured · detail-oriented · organized · objective · deductive · rational · strategic · focused · efficient
lateralization
Localization to one side
- corpus callosumInterhemispheric nerve bundle
- neuroplasticityBrain's self-rewiring ability
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
handedness · right-handed · contralateral · localization · specialization · asymmetry · neuroscience
grammar
Language's structural rules
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
reading · writing · spelling · verbal · articulation · comprehension · sentence structure · language processing · literal meaning · naming
arithmetic
Mathematics of basic operations
- algebraMath using symbols
- calculusMathematical analysis system
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
equations · computation · numerical · statistics · formulas · quantitative · variables · fractions · decimals · percentages
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- observationAttentive watching or remark
data analysis · research · evidence · methodology · replication · laboratory · measurement · classification · documentation · verification
- brain partscerebellum, hippocampus, brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus
- thinking stylesanalytical, creative thinker, critical thinker, rational, critical
- left and right symbolismright hand, dexter, sinister, sinistral, right-handedness
- brain lateralitylaterality, handedness, right-handedness, hand dominance, right hand
- neuroanatomycerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, medulla
- directionsnorth, south, east, west, right
left brainright brain
Hemisphere associated with creativity
right hemisphere · intuitive thinking · creative thinking · divergent thinking · emotional intelligence