{
  "id": 17978286,
  "title": "THE CONVERSATION: Are right‑brained people really more creative? Here’s what the science tells us",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/the-conversation-are-right-brained-people-really-more-creative-heres",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T15:10:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-03-are-rightbrained-people-really-more-creative-heres-what-the-science-tells-us/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The notion that left-brain or right-brain individuals possess distinct characteristics has its roots in genuine scientific research from the 19th century. French physician Paul Broca discovered that the left side of the brain primarily controls speech, setting the stage for the idea that the brain's hemispheres might have separate roles. A century later, neuroscientist Roger Sperry and his team conducted experiments on epilepsy patients who underwent brain surgery to control their condition. By cutting the nerve fibres connecting the brain's hemispheres, they could study each side's functions individually. This research revealed that the left hemisphere excels at language, while the right hemisphere is more involved in emotional and non-verbal processing.\n\nThis concept of lateralization, or the specialization of brain functions in one hemisphere or the other, is not unique to humans. It can be observed in various animals, including insects, fish, birds, and other mammals. Lateralization is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation, enabling organisms to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. For instance, monitoring for predators while searching for food may have been facilitated by having specialized brain regions.\n\nThe misconception that individuals are either left-brained or right-brained likely originated from the oversimplification of scientific findings. In 2013, researchers conducted an MRI study on over 1,000 people, mapping more than 7,000 brain regions. They aimed to determine whether functional brain activity correlated with specific personality traits or skills. While they found that certain brain functions are localized to particular regions, they did not discover evidence suggesting that these networks differ between individuals based on their personality or abilities. In other words, the brain's lateralization does not dictate overall personality traits or cognitive abilities.\n\nWhen it comes to creativity, studies examining the relationship between right-brain activity and creative thought have yielded mixed results. However, it is widely accepted that creativity relies on a widespread network of brain activity involving both hemispheres, rather than being limited to a single side of the brain.\n\nDespite the lack of scientific backing for the left-brain, right-brain dichotomy, it remains a popular and enduring myth. One explanation for its persistence may be the Barnum effect, which refers to people's tendency to accept and embrace personality descriptions that apply to them, even if they are vague and generalized. This phenomenon can reinforce the belief that individuals are either predominantly left-brained or right-brained. Additionally, the Barnum effect may lead people to selectively notice and reinforce traits that confirm their self-perception while discounting contradictory evidence.\n\nIn reality, both hemispheres of the brain are actively involved in virtually every aspect of human cognition, including both logical and creative processes. The left-right brain myth simplifies the complex workings of the human brain and oversimplifies the intricate interplay between its various regions.",
  "summary": "The left-brain, right-brain myth began with real research, but it actually oversimplifies how the hemispheres work.",
  "key_points": [
    "Brain lateralization observed in various animals, serving evolutionary purpose",
    "No scientific evidence linking brain lateralization to personality or cognitive abilities"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}