Ian Weinberg

7 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~100 ·

Blogging
>
Ian blog
>
Re-discovering the Intuitive Mind

Re-discovering the Intuitive Mind

22d5d332.jpg




There was a time, not too long ago, when the right hemisphere was not only regarded as non-dominant, but almost of lesser neurological importance than the dominating left hemisphere. But all this has changed.

In a nut-shell, the dominant left hemisphere is the rational measurement-based engineer while the non-dominant right is the big picture, creative architect. The non-dominant right hemisphere emerges as the seat of creativity and out-the-box innovation, nuance, big picture sensitivity and the strong connection to emotional centres. To boot, individuals with unfettered non-dominant hemispheres obtain higher scores with chance experiments (guessing/willing numbers) than us mere mortal left hemisphere dominants – in the region of 80% versus 50% respectively. 

Based on several studies, it appears that the rational left fronto-temporal area dominates and suppresses the right non-dominant. It is only when the left is suppressed, that the eloquence of the right non-dominant flourishes. This situation is seen in individuals with pathology in the dominant left area as well as in individuals whose dominant left function has been temporarily compromised through transcranial stimulation studies (Snyder et al). As expected, right dominance manifests as increased creativity, out-the-box thinking, subtlety, innovation and heightened emotion.

The dynamic in regard to right and left hemispheral co-operation appears to be based upon the right ‘getting a hunch’ and urging the left to question this. Thereby the ‘hunch’ becomes activated and the ‘hardcopy’ emerges.

Heterosexual males seem to have the highest incidence of left dominance. Females have the higher left-right communication and thus parity of hemispheres. This is endorsed by increased sizes of bridging structures – the corpus callosum and commissures. Gay males appear to have increased commissural volumes as compared to heterosexual males (but smaller than females). This may be relevant in providing an explanation for the high level of creativity/innovative indices seen in gay males (Shlain).

It makes sense therefore (especially for hetero-sexual males) to quieten down that obsessively driven, rational dominant left, allow the right some space, connect to emotions and innovate! Mindful meditation is one solution, failing which you could always pop along to your nearest neuropsych lab and have your dominant left de-functionalised, even for twenty minutes, with a transcranial stimulator!

References 

http://www.creativitypost.com/science/brain_stimulation_makes_the_impossible_problem_solvable

http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/11/17/leonardos-brain-leonard-shlain/

Snyder A, Bahramali H, Hawker T, Mitchell DJ (2006) Savant-like numerosity skills revealed in normal people by magnetic pulses. Perception 35: 837-845.

Schore AN (2010) Chapter in T. Baradon (Ed.), Relational trauma in infancy (pp. 19-47). London: Routledge.


                                                               Copyright reserved - Ian Weinberg 2016


"
Comments

Harvey Lloyd

7 years ago #3

This area of understanding the brain has always brought a level of fascination in watching behaviors. The left brain once it grabs hold of truth, regardless of whether it can be supported. The right brain tends to hold on to its beliefs even if it is detrimental. I have always felt that in order to change we need a catalyst. We can experience something in our life or the one i sense we have as humans, a right brain tornado. Allowing our right brain to open up and explore 360 degrees opens us to new dimensions of understanding ourselves. Within this wandering you may discover that beliefs or facts as you have correlated them are misaligned. Your relationships narrative is now in jeopardy. The creative brain has shown, your narrative could have been based on a false argument, instant cognitive dissonance. This in many cases is the corral that keeps us from searching the right brain options. Your entire narrative is based on what your right brain exploration is now showing a new viewpoint. This is difficult to address and requires a level of courage to walk in the face of your current social group. Thanks for the post it is stimulateing as usual Ian Weinberg

Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris

7 years ago #2

Very insightful. I would add that creativity and innovation, aspects that have been traditionally identified as right-hemisphere functions, are in reality a result of the collaboration of both hemispheres, or the use of the corpus callossum part of the brain. So, even though it's important to use the intuition-related parts of the brain more (that are often described as right hemisphere), it's equally important to try to use both hemispheres whenever possible. Whatever the case, it doesn't take much brain power to realize that any kind of honest investigation on this topic is bound to help our brain get a bit better!

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

7 years ago #1

Learn so much about left and right dominance.Re-discovering my mind. Fantastic buzz thank you Ian Weinberg

Articles from Ian Weinberg

View blog
4 years ago · 2 min. reading time

One of the most important clinical paradigm shifts in our time has been the realization that neuroch ...

5 years ago · 4 min. reading time

I recall from my old biology days that the one differentiating factor between plants and animals is ...

5 years ago · 1 min. reading time

Under a November Full Moon · It happened upon us, a design bereft of our choice. · Thence have we tr ...

Related professionals

You may be interested in these jobs

  • Fokus Personnel CC

    Frontend Developer

    Found in: Whatjobs ZAC2 - 5 hours ago


    Fokus Personnel CC Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Min 3 years' work experience within a similar role · Experience in developing web applications and frameworks using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript / JQuery and Ajax with server side framework, such as ASP.Net Core · Proficient in building Web User Interface (UI) using latest web standar ...

  • People Source

    Technical Support Engineer: Graduate

    Found in: Talent ZA 2A C2 - 1 day ago


    People Source Johannesburg, South Africa

    This is a high level technical support role that requires a degreed engineer. · Provide technical sales and service support to new, existing & prospective clients i.e. Telephonic, e-mail, ticketing & training · Management of device returns (assessment & communication & process im ...

  • OfferZen

    Senior Software Programmer

    Found in: Adzuna ZA B C2 - 5 days ago


    OfferZen Pretoria, South Africa

    Senior Software Programmer · Are you a talented senior software programmer looking for your Dream Developer Job? OfferZen, the developer jobs marketplace, reverses the job search process. We connect developers with a vast network of top tech companies that are eager to apply to i ...