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The Many Sides of Hemispheric Asymmetry: A Selective Review and Outlook

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 December 2017

Michael C. Corballis  and
Isabelle S. Häberling
Michael C. Corballis*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Isabelle S. Häberling
Affiliation:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Michael C. Corballis, School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. E-mail: m.corballis@auckland.ac.nz
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Abstract

Hemispheric asymmetry is commonly viewed as a dual system, unique to humans, with the two sides of the human brain in complementary roles. To the contrary, modern research shows that cerebral and behavioral asymmetries are widespread in the animal kingdom, and that the concept of duality is an oversimplification. The brain has many networks serving different functions; these are differentially lateralized, and involve many genes. Unlike the asymmetries of the internal organs, brain asymmetry is variable, with a significant minority of the population showing reversed asymmetries or the absence of asymmetry. This variability may underlie the divisions of labor and the specializations that sustain social life. (JINS, 2017, 23, 710–718)

Keywords

LanguagelateralityCognitive neuroscience
Type
Section 1 – Brain Systems and Assessment
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 23 , Special Issue 9-10: Special Issue: Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Neuropsychological Society , October 2017 , pp. 710 - 718
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2017 

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