Comparison of Left and Right Brain Modes

  Left Brain Mode Right Brain Mode
1. Verbal: Using words to name, describe, and define Nonverbal: Awareness of things but minimal connection with words
2. Analytic: Figuring things out step-by-step and part-by-part Synthetic: Putting things together to form wholes
3. Symbolic: Using a symbol to stand for something; e.g. the sign + stands for the process of addition Concrete: Relating to things as they are at the present moment
4. Temporal: Keeping track of time, sequencing one thing after another Non-temporal: Without a sense of time
5. Rational: Drawing conclusions based on reason Non-rational: Not requiring a basis of reason and facts
6. Logical: Drawing conclusions based on logic - one thing following another in logical order Intuitive: Making leaps of insight, often based on incomplete patterns, hunches, feelings or visual images
7. Digital: Using numbers as in counting Spatial: Seeing where things are in relation to other things and how parts go together to form a whole
8. Linear: Thinking in terms of linked ideas, one thought directly following another, often leading to a convergent conclusion Holistic: Seeing whole things all at once; perceiving the overall patterns and structures, often leading to divergent conclusions


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