LEFT BRAIN RIGHT BRAIN THEORY

Have you ever heard people say that they tend to be more of a right-brain or left-brain thinker? From books to
television programs, you've probably heard the phrase mentioned numerous times or perhaps you've even taken an
online test to determine which type best describes you. Given the popularity of the idea of "right brained" and "left
brained" thinkers, it might surprise you learn learn that this idea is just one of many myths about the brain.
What Is Left Brain - Right Brain Theory?
According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of
thinking. Additionally, people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is
"left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical, and objective, while a person who is "right-brained" is said
to be more intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective.
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In psychology, the theory is based on what is known as the lateralization of brain function. So does one side of the
brain really control specific functions? Are people either left-brained or right-brained? Like many popular psychology
myths, this one grew out of observations about the human brain that were then dramatically distorted and exaggerated.
The right brain-left brain theory originated in the work of Roger W. Sperry, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in
1981. While studying the effects of epilepsy, Sperry discovered that cutting the corpus collosum (the structure that
connects the two hemispheres of the brain) could reduce or eliminate seizures.
However, these patients also experienced other symptoms after the communication pathway between the two sides of
the brain was cut. For example, many split-brain patients found themselves unable to name objects that were
processed by the right side of the brain, but were able to name objects that were processed by the left-side of the brain.
Based on this information, Sperry suggested that language was controlled by the left-side of the brain.
Later research has shown that the brain is not nearly as dichotomous as once thought. For example, recent research
has shown that abilities in subjects such as math are actually strongest when both halves of the brain work together.
Today, neuroscientists know that the two sides of the brain work together to perform a wide variety of tasks and that
the two hemispheres communicate through the corpus collosum.
"No matter how lateralized the brain can get, though, the two sides still work together," science writer Carl Zimmer
explained in an article for Discover magazine. "The pop psychology notion of a left brain and a right brain doesnt
capture their intimate working relationship. The left hemisphere specializes in picking out the sounds that form words
and working out the syntax of the words, for example, but it does not have a monopoly on language processing. The
right hemisphere is actually more sensitive to the emotional features of language, tuning in to the slow rhythms of
speech that carry intonation and stress."
In one study by researchers at the University of Utah, more 1,000 participants had their brains analyzed in order to
determine if they preferred using one side over the other. The study revealed that while activity was sometimes higher
in certain important regions, both sides of the brain were essentially equal in their activity on average.
Its absolutely true that some brain functions occur in one or the other side of the brain. Language tends to be on the
left, attention more on the right. But people dont tend to have a stronger left- or right-sided brain network. It seems to
be determined more connection by connection," explained the study's lead author Dr. Jeff Anderson.
LOCKE'S GOAL SETTING THEORY
In the late 1960s, Locke's pioneering research into goal setting and motivation gave us our modern understanding of
goal setting. In his 1968 article "Toward a Theory of Task Motivation and Incentives," he showed that clear goals and
appropriate feedback motivate employees. He went on to highlight that working toward a goal is also a major source
of motivation which, in turn, improves performance.
Locke's research showed that the more difficult and specific a goal is, the harder people tend to work to achieve it.
In one study, Locke reviewed a decade's worth of laboratory and field studies on the effects of goal setting and
performance. He found that, for 90 percent of the time, specific and challenging (but not too challenging) goals led to
higher performance than easy, or "do your best," goals.

For example, telling someone to "try hard" or "do your best" is less effective than saying "try to get more than 80
percent correct," or "concentrate on beating your best time." Likewise, having a goal that's too easy is not motivating.
Hard goals are more motivating than easy ones, because it feels more of an accomplishment to achieve something
you've worked hard for.
A few years after Locke published his article, Dr Gary Latham studied the effects of goal setting in the workplace. His
results supported Locke's findings that there is an inseparable link between goal setting and workplace performance.
In 1990, Locke and Latham published their seminal work, "A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance." In this
book, they repeated the need to set specific and difficult goals, while outlining five other characteristics for successful
goal setting.
THE PICKLE JAR THEORY (TIME MANAGEMENT)
This time management theory is based on the idea that time, like a pickle jar, is limited.
What you fill it with, however, is up to you.
Imagine you have a big empty pickle jar. Fill it with golf balls. When you can squeeze no more in, its full, right?
Not quite. The golf balls leave gaps. Drop in some marbles, give the jar a shake, and let the marbles drop into those
gaps.
Next, take some sand. Pour it into the even smaller spaces that are left, until the jar appears to be completely full.
Finally, finish it off with water. Pour in water until the jar can take nothing else
then screw the lid on!
EXPLAINED FURTHER
The pickle jar itself represents your time. Whether its an hour, a day or a lifetime, the idea is that time is finite.
The golf balls are the roles, goals and commitments that are important to you. Whether its people, projects or
problems, these things matter most.
The marbles matter, too, but not as much. Still, theyre easy to pour into the jar. The marbles mean the things you
want to do, but dont have to.
The sand stands for all the small, time taking tasks that, again are easy to do. The time management matrix theory
would class 'sandy tasks' as busy work that is irrelevant, unimportant or inappropriate.
The water is for whatever takes time, but doesnt really add anything: Hours spent wasting time online, excessive
water-cooler chats or anything else that you define as a poor use of your time.
Generally, the smaller and easier it is to pour in to the pickle jar, the less it matters.
If the water, sand and marbles fill too much of the jar, there is less room for the golf balls. In other words, it's easy to
fill time with the things that don't really matter.