Right brain/left brain dominance theory is the assignment of human attributes and abilities to different hemispheres of the brain. Since the 1980's, art teachers have been using this information to help students learn to be more creative. The information on right brain theory comes from research done by Dr. Roger Sperry who won a nobel prize for his work.

Check out these websites to find out about Sperry and his theory:

• Nobel E Museum
• CaliforniaTech Biography
• Left Brain/Right Brain Theory: Two Brains In One!

This theory is commonly used in art classes and by people who want to learn to draw on their own, because of a popular drawing book entitled Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards. The book was copyrighted in 1979. At that time, Roger Sperry's work was groundbreaking and Ms. Edwards chose to use the information to explain the process of getting your left brain, which sees in symbols, to give up the drawing process and let the right take over and draw what it really sees. She says in her new version of the book that "Roger Sperry believed that her use of his research was reasonable.(pg. XXIV, The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain)" As an art teacher, I have used her techniques many times and I will agree that they do work.

There are some very interesting websites that can be used to help drawing skills.

• Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain / Ms. Edward's website.
• Exploring the Left and Right Sides of the Brain
• Vase Faces

As I was doing research, several websites and books began to contradict the validity of Right/Left Brain Theory, at least in the artroom. After several weeks of research, I was disappointed to find that her book doesn't have the scientific support of new studies. I also came to the conclusion that there were no studies that connected the right/left theory to her drawing observations.

• Left Brain-Right Brain Myth website
• William Calvin's "The Throwing Madonna-Essays on the Brain"
• 'Right Brain' or 'Left Brain' Myth Or Reality?

The brain is much more complex than right brain theory and my findings show that there is more communication between the halves than previously thought. Also there are numerous levels in the brain that contribute to the processing of information. Eric Jensen, a leader in educational uses for brain research, has numerous books and a website that gives great insite into brain theory, no longer advocates right/left theory. I also noted that none of his information is used in the newer version of The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards.

• Jensen Higher Learning website

After all of this research against Betty Edwards' use of right/left theory, I thought it would be fair to find the new edition of the book to see if she addressed the new science. In the introduction, she acknowledges that there are critics, but contends that her "folk" theory works even though brain science may change.

As an art teacher, I find her drawing activities valuable in the classroom, but after my research, I will definately tell my students that the science has changed. The right/left brain information can be used, but I'd use it more as a novelty and inform my students that the brain is more complex than this theory.

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