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Hemispheric Specialization

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Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior

Synonyms

Behavioral lateralization; Brain/cerebral/hemispheric asymmetry; Hemispheric dominance

Definition

Hemispheric specialization refers to the differential role of the left or right brain side in processing a specific neuronal task or behavior. One hemisphere might be predisposed to adopt a function because of specific structural and/or computational characteristics. This dominance can be expressed in enhanced sensory performances, decision-making, and/or superior motor skills.

Introduction

Bilaterian animals are characterized by a basically symmetrical body plan including a nervous system typically ending with brain-like structures at the front. Each half of the brain processes information from one environmental half field and controls one body side. In several cases, however, one hemisphere dominates a specific function (hemispheric specialization). Consequently, this hemisphere takes control in organizing and controlling motor responses that become visible as asymmetrical...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Martina Manns

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  1. Martina Manns
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martina Manns .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University , Rochester, MI, USA

    Jennifer Vonk

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University Department of Psychology, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. University of Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Peggy Mason

  2. Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Yuri Sugano

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Manns, M. (2019). Hemispheric Specialization. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1392-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1392-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

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