UNDERSTANDING THE WAY YOUR MIND WORKS

Do you know the way you are wired? This can be important in determining not only your academic leanings or career preferences, but also your learning style and approach to problem solving.

The human brain is divided into left and right hemispheres, both of which fulfil different functions. The left side is responsible for controlling the right side of the body, but also performs mental tasks associated with logic. By contrast, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, but performs tasks associated with creativity and the arts. In some people, the left side of the brain is more dominant, leading to a preference for working with numbers and facts. In other people, it is the right hemisphere that dominates, resulting in a leaning towards more abstract notions. It follows that ‘left brained’ genealogists will typically be blessed with strong analytical skills and have a good eye for detail; however, they may be naturally less adept at thinking differently about a problem. This is where lateral thinking techniques can play an important role.