Perception, Relations, and the Divided Brain

This article explores the divided functions of the brain's hemispheres, particularly in the context of therapy and client perception. It is based on the works of Iain McGilchrist, notably his books The Master and His Emissary and The Matter With Things. The article critiques the oversimplified notions of "left-brained" and "right-brained" people, emphasizing that both hemispheres work together in complex ways. It highlights how the left hemisphere's tendency to focus on abstract, detailed, and decontextualized information can dominate in modern society, often at the expense of the more holistic, relational, and context-sensitive approach of the right hemisphere. The author argues that this imbalance can be detrimental in therapy, where understanding a client requires an integrated approach that balances both hemispheres' perspectives.

  • Understand the core concepts of Iain McGilchrist's research on the divided brain, particularly the differences between the left and right hemispheres.

  • Explore how the left and right hemispheres perceive and process information differently, and how this impacts therapy practices.

  • Recognize the dangers of oversimplifying the functions of the brain's hemispheres, as seen in popular psychology.

  • Analyze the impact of a left hemisphere-dominated perspective on modern society and its implications for therapy.

  • Learn how to integrate both hemispheres' perspectives to gain a holistic understanding of clients in a therapeutic setting.

  • Examine the role of metacognition in identifying and addressing biases in brain hemisphere dominance during therapy.

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