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The spinning dancer is a fun way to determine which side of your brain is dominate.
Look at the spinning dancer up - If she is spinning clockwise your right brain is being dominate. If she is spinning counter clockwise your left brain is being dominate.
Most of us would see the dancer turning counter-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction. To see if you can change the direction of the dancer you first have to understand some basic concepts regarding the structural setup of your brain, more specifically the central nervous system. The Central Nervous System is comprised of seven major divisions
- Spinal Cord: The most inferior part of the central nervous system (CNS). It is often thoughout of as the simplest part of the CNS. It runs from the base of the skull to the first lumbar vertebra. Key functions: Receives sensory information from the skin, joints, and muscles of the trunk and limbs. The spinal cord also contains the motor neurons responsible for both voluntary and relfex movements.
- Medulla: This division is a direct extension of the spinal located just anterior and superior to the cord. The medulla resembles the spinal cord in both organziation and function. Special groups of neurons (cells of the nervous system) located in the medulla participate in the regulation of blood pressure and respiration. Other neuron groups located in this area are involved inteh early relay of taste, hearing, maintenance of balance, and control of the neck and facial muscles.
- Midbrain:
- Cerebellum:
- Diencephalon:
- Right Cerebral Hemisphers
- Left Cerebral Hemisphers
Even though both hemispheres of the brain have independent functions, an individual benefits from the integration of the processing of information performed by each side. The hemisphere best suited to perform the processing will process information; this allows an individual greater understanding and learning potential of the situation that initiated the brain processing information.
Dominance
Research has shown most people have a dominant side of the brain. Individuals who are predominately left sided tend to be more verbal, analytical, and problem solvers; while individuals who are predominately right sided tend to be artsy, good with math, and are more visual in nature. Dominance goes into affect when thinking becomes increasingly more complex. Although each hemisphere has its own set of functions in information processing and thinking, research data supports the notion these functions are not exclusive to one hemisphere (Sousa, 1 995, p. 88). http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/dominance/index.htm LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS + uses logic + detail oriented + facts rule + words and language+ present and past + math and science + can comprehend + knowing
+ acknowledges + order/pattern perception + knows object name + reality based
+ forms strategies + practical + safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
+ uses feeling + "big picture" oriented + imagination rules + symbols and images
+ present and future + philosophy & religion + can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
+ believes + appreciates + spatial perception + knows object
+ function + fantasy based + presents possibilities + impetuous
+ risk taking
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