R. Joseph

The Right Cerebral Hemisphere

Over the course of evolution, each half of the brain has developed its own unique strategy for perceiving, processing, and expressing information as well as specialized neuroanatomical interconnections that assist in mediating these functions. Indeed, the human brain is organized such that two potentially independent mental systems coexist, literally side by side. (cf. Gazzaniga & LeDoux, 1978; Joseph, 1982, 1988a,b; Levy, 1983; Sperry, 1966, 1982).

The Temporal Lobes

The temporal lobes are usually associated with the processing of auditory stimuli; indeed, the primary and association auditory areas are localized within the superior temporal gyms. Nevertheless, the temporal lobe also receives extensive projections from the somesthetic and visual association areas 18 and 19 (Jones & Powell, 1970; Seltzer and Pandya, 1978); receives and processes gustatory, visceral, and olfactory sensations; harbors the amygdala and hippocampus within its inferior depths; and contains a considerable number of neurons that are heavily involved in the performance of complex visual integrative activities, including visual closure and the recognition of specific meaningful forms. Indeed, it has been argued that the temporal lobe evolved from visual cortex (Diamond, 1943), and it is apparent based on a variety of neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, and behavioral studies that the middle, inferior, and posterior—superior temporal lobe are indeed cortical visual areas.

The Occipital Lobe

Like the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, which respond to and process information from a number of modalities, the occipital lobe contains neurons that, although predominantly concerned with the analysis of visual stimuli (i.e., areas 17, 18, and 19), respond to vestibular, acoustic, or somesthetic input as well (Jung, 1961).

The Parietal Lobes

The parietal lobe is commonly thought to be concerned predominantly with processing of somesthetic, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive information. Like the large expanse of tissue in the frontal portion of the brain, however, the parietal lobes are not homologous tissue but consist of cells that are responsive to a variety of divergent stimuli, including movement, hand position, objects within grasping distance, audition, eye movement, as well as complex and motivationally significant visual stimuli. Damage to the parietal lobe can therefore result in a variety of disturbances, which include abnormalities involving somesthetic sensation, the body image, visual—spatial relations, temporal—sequential motor activity, language, grammar, numerical calculation, emotion, and attention, depending on which area has been lesioned, as well as the laterality of the damage.

The Frontal Lobes

The frontal lobes serve as the “senior executive” of the brain; through the assimilation and fusion of perceptual, volitional, cognitive, and emotional processes, it modulates and shapes character and personality. When damaged, the result can be excessive or diminished cortical and behavioral arousal, disintegration of personality and emotional functioning, difficulty planning or initiating activity, abnormal attention and ability to concentrate, severe apathy or euphoria, disinhibition, and a reduced ability to monitor and control one’s thoughts, speech, and actions. Paralysis of the extremities, severe unilateral neglect of visual—auditory space, or, conversely, compulsive utilization of tools or other objects can occur.

The Limbic System

Many members of Western civilization experience emotion as a potentially overwhelming force that warrants and yet resists control—as something irrational that can happen to you (“you make me so angry”). Perhaps in part, this schism between the rational and the emotional is attributable to the raw energy of emotion having its source in the nuclei of the ancient limbic lobe—what some have referred to as the reptilian brain, a series of nuclei that first made their phylogenetic appearance long before man walked upon this earth. Although over the course of evolution a new brain (neocortex) has developed, we remain creatures of emotion. We have not completely emerged from the phylogenetic swamps of our original psychic existence. The old limbic brain has not been replaced.

Remembrance of Things Past

Well over a billion years ago, when the simplest of organisms swirled about or remained moored to the ocean floor, learning and memory remained restricted to almost reflexive reactions to the ultraviolet rays of the sun or the chemical composition of its environment. The organism either hid from or sought out nourishment from the sun or creatures secreting certain chemicals. Over the course of evolution, with the refinement of electrical and chemical means of communication, these tiny creatures became capable of storing more than just the energy from our great solar disc, but to convert it into information which could be recalled or transmitted to like-minded cells.

Sexual, Social, Emotional, and Unconscious Speech

The manner in which we listen to and create the sounds of language are tremendously influenced by the neurological hardware that supports these functions as well as the environment in which we are raised. Not all brains are created equal, however, and the environment in which various people are reared can differ drastically, not only for those brought up in different parts of the world, but for those raised on the same block.

Dances with Bees

She floats through the air on gossamer wings and with finesse, grace, and delicacy, alights with almost magical precision upon her tiny feet before the expectant and eager audience. Excitedly they surge forward together so as to behold her every movement. Eagerly she accommodates their feverish desires and performs a dance with the sweet promise of nectar and fragrant flowers, of sunlight and the lilacs of the valley. It is a dance replete with meaning that has been passed on secretly from generation to generation, from sister to sister, from mother to daughter, and for which no male was meant to behold. Its origins shrouded in mystery and veiled by time difficult to comprehend, the dance of the honeybee is easily 150 million years old.

Emotional, Musical, and Grammatical Speech

Ralph had worked for over 20 years building up his tile company into a multimillion-dollar-a-year business, and yet he forever remained a difficult person to work with. Unfortunately for family, employees, and business associates, as he aged he did not mellow but only became more irascible and ornery and was quite willing to give anyone a good verbal lambasting for the most trifling of transgressions. Even his pastor would not be spared his verbal slings and arrows, if they happened to disagree on some noncelestial matter, such as which hymns were to be sung the following Sunday. Ralph loved to sing in the choir and had a very pleasant baritone.