Advantages of the Right Brain

The right and left sides of our brains control different functions. The concepts discussed in this article are true for most people, but the brains of some people will be different than these general findings. Handedness frequently indicates which hemisphere of the brain is dominant, with left-handed people having right-sided brain dominance. In fact, the right side of the brain usually controls the left side of the body.

Creativity

People with right-side brain dominance are thought to be more creative. They excel at pursuits that involve fantasy or creation, such as songwriting or drawing. As children, they may have loved art or music classes. In contrast, people with left-side brain dominance deal with reality and have a hard time using their imaginations.

Vigilance

According to an article published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the right brain maintains a vigilance and sends out warning signals in times of danger. In contrast, the left brain analyzes the circumstances of a given situation and works logically to decide what to do.

Intuition

The right side of the brain seeks meaning in situations. Decisions tend to be based on gut feelings, intuition or emotion. This is because the right brain heads straight to the answer to a problem, instead of factually investigating it. In contrast, people with left-sided dominance consider facts and logic to make decisions and may miss what their intuition tells them.

Hands-On Learning Ability

Right-sided brain-dominant students thrive in hands-on learning environments. They learn better by working in groups. According to Neuro Skills Centre, the right side of our brain is better able to recall and interpret things that are actually seen and done (versus things one reads about or is told about). In contrast, students with left-side brain dominance work better by listening to a lecture and working quietly on their own.

Ability to See Big Picture

According to a scientist at Middle Tennessee State University, the right side of the brain looks at the "big picture." This is helpful with projects and problem-solving. An example of this advantage is the executive who must look at company decisions in terms of the big picture. In contrast, the left brain focuses on small pieces of subject matter.

Spatial Relationships

People with right-side brain dominance have a better sense of where one object is in relation to another. They also sense the position of their body which helps them is sports such as running hurdles. In contrast, the person with left-side brain dominance may have less physical coordination.