Lateralization of Function

Lateralization of function means the left and right hemispheres specialize for different functions.

  • Left hemisphere: usually more involved in language; often better at analytic / sequential processing
  • Right hemisphere: often more involved in spatial processing; may be better at face recognition, prosody, and holistic processing

Not absolute

Both hemispheres do some of everything, but the tendency shows up clearly in split-brain and lesion studies.