Split Brain Theory

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences
Course Notes for Innovative, Creativity and Talent in Education (PIB3004)
Other Issues:
1. The Split Brain Theory
 The left brain deals mainly with languages, logic and time, while the right side
deals mainly with intuition, vision and special orientation.
 Dr. Roger Sperry, a surgeon, studies confirmed that the two sides of the brain
perform different functions.
The Logical Left Brain

 The left side of the brain only handles logical thinking.
 Some people call it critical thinking.
 The left handles language, logic, numbers, symbols, sequence and details.
 According to this theory, scientists, mathematicians and linguists have well-
developed left brains.
The Creative Right Brain

 Is intuitive and imaginative side of the brain.
 Handles images, rhythm, music, color, patterns, and emotions.
 Artists, poets and dancers have strong right brains. They tend to be free
spirits and are independent, carefree and child-like. They tend to have great
sense of humor too.
Implications:
1. So what do we learn from the Split Brain Theory?

2. Which side of the brain is more important? The right or the left?
Both are equally important. We need to incorporate both types of thinking in our
education. It has been too long of a time that schools in Malaysia focusing in the
traditional “left brained” subject like Science, Mathematics and language. They
were deemed so important that failing any one of the subjects results in failing
the whole examination. Could you see the logic?
Today, both the new integrated primary and secondary school curriculum have
included “right brained” subjects such as Music, Arts and Physical Education as
core subjects. For a long time music was not in the curriculum. Physical
Education or P.E. periods were used for more “important” subjects. The aim of
the new “integrated” curriculum is to produce a more balanced and rounded
personality. In other words, we are developing both, the right and the left brain!
It is also called the whole brain approach.
While it os accepted that to do well in certain fields we need to have a better

developed side of the brain, to live fully we need to use both sides. If we fail to
use one side for too long it may entrophise and shrink in size over several
generations. Worse still, it may become a habit and we will think in one way only
1
and we will take for granted that it is the correct way for all situations and
occasions.
In conclusion, since God has granted us all both sides of the brain, let us not
waste what we owned. Be holistic. Sounds logical, doesn’t it?
How creative are you?
Students are given a creativity test by Gary A Davis, who wrote the book,
Creativity is Forever.
Score them and rank yourself.
________________________________________________________________
What is your A.Q?
In creativity, ambiguity can be a be a blessing. Due to the doubt an uncertainty,

people will pursue the matter further, thus increasing the number of possibilities.
When things are clearly specified there is no more room for further discovery r
initiative.
Why be ambiguous?
Because too much specificity stifles creativity. When instructions are given in full
detail, it leaves the follower with no room to use own judgment an imagination.
Often specificity kills creativity.
Teachers unconsciously suppress children’s creative talent by insisting on the
right way to do things. The right way always means the teacher’s way.
What is your A.Q?
The Ambiguity Quotient (A.Q) is a measure of our tolerance for ambiguity. Some
people have high tolerance for ambiguity. These are creative people. Do you
tolerate ambiguity or are you one of those people who simply cannot stand things
being vague and uncertain? Creative people take their own time to do things but
once they have started on something that excites them, they can go for hours on
end or days without sleep. They can literally lose track of time because they
become very focused. Creative people are generally unpredictable. At other
times however, they tend to be laid back until thir next creative urge comes
along.
In conclusion, ambiguity should be encouraged at the initial stage of creative

thinking. It opens the horizon for us to venture far and wide in search of creative
ideas and solutions.
________________________________________________________________

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Faculty of Education and Social Sciences

Course Notes for Innovative, Creativity and Talent in Education (PIB3004)

1. The Split Brain Theory

The Logical Left Brain

The Creative Right Brain

1. So what do we learn from the Split Brain Theory?

While it os accepted that to do well in certain fields we need to have a better

How creative are you?

Score them and rank yourself.

What is your A.Q?

In creativity, ambiguity can be a be a blessing. Due to the doubt an uncertainty,

What is your A.Q?

In conclusion, ambiguity should be encouraged at the initial stage of creative

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