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Information-processing differences and laterality of students from different colleges and disciplines
M Monfort1, S A Martin, W Frederickson
1Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, Central State University, Edmond, OK 73034-0176.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Students in creative fields show right-brain processing preferences, while those in analytical fields prefer left-brain processing. Educational systems favoring left-brain activities may hinder the development of right-brain dominant students.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Educational Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Hemispheric brain dominance influences cognitive strategies.
- Educational systems often prioritize left-hemispheric processing (logic, sequential tasks).
- Understanding these preferences is crucial for optimizing learning environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hemispheric brain dominance in college students across various majors.
- To identify potential conflicts between student processing preferences and educational system demands.
- To explore the implications of these differences for intellectual development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Human Information Processing Survey, a paper-and-pencil test.
- Assessed 1023 college students from diverse academic disciplines.
- Analyzed scores to determine preferred hemispheric processing strategies.
Main Results:
- Students in majors like Art, Music, and Architecture showed a preference for right-hemispheric processing.
- Students in majors such as Computer Science, Mathematics, and Accounting favored left-hemispheric processing.
- A significant divergence in processing preferences was observed between different academic fields.
Conclusions:
- The current educational emphasis on left-hemispheric activities may disadvantage students with a natural right-hemispheric processing preference.
- This mismatch could potentially inhibit the intellectual development of right-brain dominant individuals.
- Further research is needed to explore adaptive educational strategies that accommodate diverse hemispheric processing styles.