Right Brain Work by F.R.R. Mallory

In 1861 Pierre Paul Broca, French pathologist, neurosurgeon and anthropologist, examined a patient who could only say one word, Tan, due to the presence of a large cyst on the left hand side of his brain. During this study Broca developed the theory that some language functions were concentrated on the left hand side of the brain. Further studies of other patients with lesions on the left side of the brain supported this theory.

This field of interest was continued and expanded by Dr. Roger W. Sperry who in 1981 won the Nobel Prize in Physiology "for his discoveries concerning the functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres."

As you might suspect this theory eventually began to look at the differences between men and women which has led to some outrageous, humorous and highly controversial statements... from scientists and clueless media sources. In simple terms the right hemisphere is better at:

Copying of designs,
Discrimination of shapes e.g. picking out a camouflaged object,
Understanding geometric properties,
Reading faces,
Music,
Global holistic processing,
Understanding of metaphors,
Expressing emotions,
Reading emotions.

Do you think you know which side of the brain YOU favor?

One classic, (not terribly scientific) test for hemisphere preference can be done with a simple question, "Do you talk on the phone (personal phone call with you speaking about half the words) for at least one hour a week?"

Yes?

That means you probably favor left-brain tendencies.

It is socially correct to believe the following:

Women are more intuitive than men.
Women are likely to choose an addictive physical response (like eating) instead of dealing with their feelings.

Both of these are 'generally' untrue.

Men are generally more intuitive and less verbal - more likely to act upon their 'feelings' with less examination.
Men are generally more likely to move away from uncomfortable feelings (and/or women talking AT them) toward addictive physical behaviors like television watching, drinking or anger.

Note: sexual objectification may have some connections to difficulty in verbalizing emotions.