How Your Brain Hemispheres Shape Who You Are
Back in 1981, renowned psychobiologist and Nobel laureate Roger W. Sperry made an exciting discovery: the left and right hemispheres of the brain don’t exactly play by the same rules. In fact, they each have their own unique ways of processing information—and your dominant side can heavily influence your thought patterns and personality traits.
Building on Sperry’s research, a variety of tests have been developed to uncover how your brain works behind the scenes. Curious which half of your brain is in the driver’s seat? The test featured in this article is considered one of the best ways to reveal the answer—and, as a bonus, it lets you uncover some eye-opening things about your unique personality. Skeptical? Why not give it a shot; the results might just surprise you!
The Test: What Do You See First?
The concept is deceptively simple. Above, you’ll have seen a black-and-white image. At first glance, it may look abstract—like a riddle for your eyes—but in reality, it can be interpreted in two distinct ways, depending on which shapes you notice first. Take a good, long look and let your intuition do its thing. Go on, enjoy it—no one’s looking!
To continue, you need to remember which animal jumped out at you first. That first impression is key to knowing which result you should check out. Once you have the animal in mind, scroll down to uncover what your choice reveals about the inner workings of your mind. Ready? Let’s see what your brain’s been up to while you weren’t looking!
If the Left Side of Your Brain Is More Active
- You’re analytical, goal-oriented, and organized. In other words, you’re the kind of person who knows how to get things done and isn’t easily distracted by flights of fancy.
- When faced with a problem, you lean on logic, calculation, and objectivity. Spontaneous decisions? Nope, not really your style.
- However, because you know your decisions are made after careful reflection, you can sometimes be a bit rigid. Flexibility isn’t your middle name. It’s a good idea to listen to other people’s opinions and take them into account. (Hey, a little humility has never hurt anyone!)
- Realist: Your world is deeply rooted in reality. Fairy tales and fiction? Not for you. Even though some people might think your ambitions are sky-high, you’re well aware they’re realistic and achievable.
If the Right Side of Your Brain Is More Active
- You’re a creative soul, positively bursting with innovative ideas. Ordinary solutions? No, thank you.
- When faced with a challenge, you often trust your gut over critical analysis. Each step you take is a lesson, and you cherish the journey more than the destination itself.
- As a dreamer, you sometimes find yourself getting lost in your own imaginary world—which, let’s be honest, can make everyday reality seem a bit dull by comparison.
- It’s important for you to touch base with reality every now and then and pay a bit more attention to what’s actually happening around you. (Just so you don’t accidentally walk into a lamppost while daydreaming…)
- Dreamer: Your life is guided more by dreams than by concrete goals, and you put in real effort to achieve those dreams—often succeeding!
So, do these character descriptions sound like you? If not entirely, remember: the two sides of the brain never work in total isolation—they collaborate and complement each other. Even if you seem to have more traits from one hemisphere, you certainly possess qualities of the other as well.
Since joining Demotivateur in 2014, I love highlighting quirky news stories. I especially enjoy writing about the environment and animals. Making complex scientific topics accessible for everyone is a challenge I always try to meet in my articles.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
