It is one of the greatest battles of all time. Bigger than David and Goliath. Bigger than North versus South. Bigger than Justin Bieber and, well, everyone lately, especially himself. The battle between logic and creativity is one of the iconic in society and culture. 

Throughout the years, scientists have made revolutionary discoveries about the human mind, specifically about the two hemispheres that join together to create the brain. Similar to the human body, the brain is almost completely symmetrical with right and left halves. These two hemispheres are connected through a band of nerves that share information. The right side of the brain controls most of the functions and movement of the left side of the body, while the left side controls most of the functions and movement of the right side of the body. Although some people exhibit both left and right side traits, an individual is brain dominant on only one side, meaning that they are able to naturally process information on one half better than on the other. The two hemispheres of the brain are responsible for much of an individual’s characteristics, behavior and skills, specifically creativity and logic.

Right Side Dominant: Creative and Spontaneous

Do you prefer geometry over algebra? Does working in groups come easier to you than working alone? If so, then you are “right-brained,” meaning that the right hemisphere of your brain is dominant. Since the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, “right-brained” people are commonly left handed and eye dominant. The right side is responsible for an individual’s creativity and imagination, and prefers pictures and visuals over words and text. In school, right side dominant students tend to do well in group and hands-on activities, including shared learning, discussions, simulations and experiments. In addition to being more likely to take risks, individuals are frequently creative, holistic, intuitive, spontaneous and emotional. Usually, being right hemisphere dominant means that a person specializes in “out-of-the-box” and imaginative thinking, art and music.

In a survey of 206 students, 76 students consider themselves to be right-side dominant. This means 36.9 percent would be considered more creative and spontaneous.

“In math, I draw out word problems to visualize and understand them better,” said junior Melany Safraniec, who is right hemisphere dominant. “I like taking art classes and doodling in my notebooks.”

Traditionally, schools at all levels are geared more toward “left-brained” students than “right-brained” students due to a larger emphasis on classes like math and science over fine arts and the humanities. When schools have issues with staying under budget, usually the fine arts department is the first thing to go.

“More often than not, the students that are more right-brained, what type of classes do you think they take? Arts,” said Antioch Community High School social studies teacher Anton Borchert. “When you think about that, just think about what is the one part of schools they’ve been cutting because of funding? They’re cutting the arts. It’s [schools] set up for the left brain.”

Although eliminating fine arts may save money for a school, it does not benefit its students, especially the “right-brained” ones.

Safraniec said, “I believe it’s terrible that schools are taking away fine arts because it takes away times that people use to express themselves.”

Recently, within the past few years, ACHS has made a half credit of a fine arts course required to graduate. Students have the option of taking any fine arts class that is offered at ACHS.

Left Side Dominant: Logical and Analytical

Do you enjoy playing Scrabble more than checkers? Are people’s names easier for you to remember than their faces? If so, you are “left-brained.” When an individual is “left-brained,” it means that the left hemisphere of their brain is dominant. Since the brain’s left side controls the body’s right side, “left-brained” individuals are usually right hand and eye dominant.

According to the survey, 103 students consider themselves to be left-side dominant. This means 63.1 percent would be considered more analytical and logical.

In school, these left-side dominant students prefer multiple choice and matching tests, thinking about one thing at a time and are time-oriented. They succeed with activities that provide information in logical sequences, such as analysis, research, realistic projects and worksheets. Characteristics of the left hemisphere include advanced skills for language, analytical skills and math concepts, like time and sequence. Because of these traits, “left-brained” students thrive in the more analytical and logical school courses, such as mathematics and science.

Borchert said, “Schools traditionally are set up for left-brained students. Left hemisphere students. Students that are analytical.”

Unlike “right-brained” individuals who decipher problems by looking at the whole, “right-brained” people solve problems by breaking them apart and tackling them step-by-step in order.

ACHS junior Dustin Segel said, “I am more left side dominant because I’m a bit more logical and do things in order. I don’t normally skip over problems or steps if I’m working on an assignment. I think things through.”

The right and left sides of the brain are opposites. They make up an individual’s different characteristics. And, most importantly, they join together to make one very important thing—you. By learning the skills of both the right and left sides of the brain, one is able to become the best they can be.  Instead of a great divide, let’s consider it a great compromise.