A myth is a belief, or a theory of beliefs that a group of people holds and provide the basis for the myth. Some myths arise from a need, while others arise from people’s misinterpretations. Other myths arise out of people following of one person’s ideas and embracing them.These come about like truths and are passed on from generation to generation. In some of the circumstances in that particular culture that holds the myth, situations and events happen that seem to prove the myths true. Due to this phenomenon, science has made several trials to find the truth about the probability of science being related to the myth. This paper seeks to discuss about the myth of the right and the left brain. I seek also, to expound on the proponent’s views as well as the naysayers views on the myth. Finally, I will take my position about the myth.

Several myths have been narrated by different cultures that have a bearing on the mind and the brain. There are sayings that we use only 10% of the brain. A saying like brain damage is always permanent, and many other connotations about the human brain that science has no proven to be right or wrong. These myths existed from times immemorial, as well as, the present. Myths that take traction in society are those that seem to be rooted in science. However, of focus here is the myth that connotes that a big difference exists between people based on the dominant part of the brain. Proponents of the myth connotes that the personality of a person will depend on which part of the brain is dominant (Posit science 1). The myth owes its origin to science. However, advanced technology in the field of brain imaging has proved that brain is interdependent and works as a whole.The myth holds that the person who holds the right brain tends to be artsy, intuitive and creative. Further, the myth claims that the left-brained person is a logical. This person is also more linear and portrays the characteristics of a problem-solver.

According to Posit Science, the myth of differences in the two sides of the brain arose in the years of the 1800s. By this time, scientists believed that one side of the brain functions independently, and in a different way from the other, due to the fact that damage to a part of the brain led to the loss of some specific abilities (2). They believed that spatial abilities arose from the right brain, while language problems were associated with the left brain. The belief held so much that some individuals used to take a personality test to know their status (Samsa, 5). It has been used in many cultures as a way of referring to personality types. It is predicted that the notion of right-brain, left-brain may never end (Jarret 201). This is because it has been noted to be used by different people as a way of thinking in the present times.

According to Jarret (201), some people have associated right brain with Christianity claiming that Europe developed before the other continents due to right-brain dominance. Makers of videos in the present day are perpetuating the same cultural notion that there is a relation between personality and the dominant side of the brain. Jarret (202) holds that the two sides of the brain function differently. He purports that, language, for example, is dominant on the left side. At the same time, the right side of the brain has been found to function much in issues of processing memory. Jaret, however, disagrees with the myth arguing that the right side of the brain has been found to be involved in issues of language processing like emphasis and intonation (202).

Posit Science (2) purports that this myth gained roots in the 1960s, when epilepsy patients underwent surgery to determine the interconnection between the two sides of the brain. These researchers explained their results that the two sides of the brain acted differently. They evoked curiosity in wanting to know more about the myth attracting many scientists to look into the issue.

Opponents of the myth have used the advantage of advanced technology to do comprehensive studies of the brain. They purport that the myth can’t be true since the two sides of the brain are interdependent. Brain scan technology has enabled scientists establish that the two sides of the brain complement each other. For example in the case of language, the right brain will process intonation while the left brain deals with pronunciation and grammar. It has been proved that one side of the brain cannot work alone even in the issue of spatial ability (Posit Science 2). However, modern science has found that the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. Similarly, the right side of the body is controlled by the left part of the brain.

It is arguable false that the two sides of the brain function independently. Studies have found out that even though specific functions of the brain are distinguished on one side than the other, it is not possible for the two sides of the brain to function independently.

The complexity of the brain further, cannot allow the only two of its hemispheres to function separately. The division of the brain into right and left hemispheres is anatomical rather than physiological. In other words, it is based on structure rather than function. The argument of the proponents of the myth, that an injury on one side of the brain caused loss of body function only on one side of the body, is not justification enough of the myth. This is now a scientific fact that has been documented, that the right brain controls the left body and vice versa and the left brain controls the right brain. It is more about the functional patterns of the brain, than the independence of its hemispheres. Research further shows that when the two hemispheres of the brain are separated, they function differently. This is a confirmation that they need to complement one another for wholeness in their function.

I support modern science, therefore, that the brain hemispheres do not function independently. The myth is a false metaphor brought about by misinterpretation of the functional patterns of the brain. However, one cannot discredit the proponents of the myth. They had a scientific fact, only that they did not interpret it basing on science. They interpreted the fact by basing it on beliefs. Samsa (5) purports that psychologists were the leading proponents of the myth. As a supporter and proponent of modern science research, I cannot hold on to the belief that some people have right-sided brain while others have right-sided brain.

With the basis of science and psychology, we can conclude that both disciplines are important in complementing one another. We have seen the correlation between what the psychologists held a as school of thought, and what the scientists discovered after brain imaging. It is therefore clear, that the argument of the proponents of the myth mad an error in their interpretation. The two hemispheres of the brain need to complement one another in their work.

Works Cited

Jarett, Christian. Why the Left-Brain Right-Brain Myth will Probably Never Die. Psychology Today. 27^th Mar. 2013. 201-206. Print.

Posit Science. Brain mythology. n.d. Web. 6^th Dec. 2013.

Samsa, Ashley. L. Good News! It Turns out We use Our Whole Brain. The Health Policy. 2013. Web. 6^th Dec. 2013.