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The right hemisphere (aka right brain) mirrors a large part of the aspect if the left brain but also has distinct functions

Left vs. Right[]

Linear reasoning[1] and language functions such as grammar and vocabulary[2] often are lateralized to the left hemisphere of the brain.

In contrast, prosodic language functions, such as intonation and accentuation, often are lateralized to the right hemisphere of the brain.[3][4] Functions such as the processing of visual and audiological stimuli, spatial manipulation, facial perception, and artistic ability seem to be functions of the right hemisphere.

Other integrative functions, including arithmetic,[5][6] binaural sound localization, and emotions, seem more bilaterally controlled.

Left hemisphere functions Right hemisphere functions
analytical[7] holistic[1][7]
verbal[1][7][8] prosodic[8]
logical[1][7] intuitive[1][7][9]
numerical computation (exact calculation, numerical comparison, estimation)
left hemisphere only: direct fact retrieval[5][6]
numerical computation (approximate calculation, numerical comparison, estimation)[5][6]
language: grammar/vocabulary, literal[10] language: intonation/accentuation, prosody, pragmatic, contextual[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Left/Right Processing.
  2. Dr. C. George Boeree. Speech and the Brain.
  3. Ross ED, Monnot M (January 2008). Neurology of affective prosody and its functional-anatomic organization in right hemisphere. Brain Lang. 104 (1): 51–74.
  4. George MS, Parekh PI, Rosinsky N, Ketter TA, Kimbrell TA, Heilman KM, Herscovitch P, Post RM (July 1996). Understanding Emotional Prosody Activates Right Hemisphere Regions. Arch Neurol. 53 (7): 665–670.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Dehaene S, Spelke E, Pinel P, Stanescu R, Tsivkin S. Sources of mathematical thinking: behavioral and brain-imaging evidence. Science. 1999 May 7;284(5416):970-4. PMID 10320379.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Stanislas Dehaene, Manuela Piazza, Philippe Pinel, and Laurent Cohen. Three parietal circuits for number processing. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 20:487-506
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Right-Brain Hemisphere
  8. 8.0 8.1 Handedness and Brain Lateralization.
  9. Converting Words into Pictures--Reading Comprehension Guide--Academic Support
  10. 10.0 10.1 Taylor, Insep, and Taylor, M. Martin (1990) "Psycholinguistics: Learning and using Language". p. 367

Further reading[]

  • Ornstein, R.E. (1997). The Right Mind: Making Sense of the Hemispheres. Harcourt Brace & Company
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