Cognitive Skills/Functions Associated with Hemispheres of the Brain

Left Hemisphere – LogicalWords (spelling)Verbal meaningVocabulary in languageDetails – rulesAnalysisOne-by-one selectivityStep-by-step instructionsSequential orderingCause and effect relationshipsLearned factsLetter-symbol associationsAbstract reasoningAcademically-learned informationIdeasSerial/ordered structuresSelf-verbalizationsSelective attentionConsciousness – reasoningScientific logic

Right Hemisphere – AestheticImages, pictures, and colors – spatial

Music and feelingsGestalt – whole/relational

Synthesis, comparisonsSimultaneous patterning

Whole processWhole units

AnalogiesCreativity – new combinations

Visual symbolismConcrete

Practical – common sense knowledgePatterns of things/theory

Random-without structure body languageFacial expression, tone of voice

Sustained attentionMeditation, spontaneous ideas, subconscious

Spiritual – mythicalPatterns of logical associations

Used with Permission: Maureen Priestley 2004

InputsAuditory

Language skills Visual-spatial skills

OUTPUTS(motor, oral, written)

Brain-Behavior Model

Manipulations in Manipulations in Active Active

Working MemoryWorking Memory

InputsVisual

InputsKinesthetic

Attention, concentration, memory

Concept formation, reasoning,logical analysis