Abstract
There is an important hemispheric distinction in the functional organization of prefrontal cortex (PFC) that has not been fully recognized and explored. Research with split-brain patients provides considerable evidence for a left hemisphere (LH) “interpreter” that abhors indeterminacy and automatically draws inferences to complete patterns (real or imaginary). It is suggested that this “interpreter” function may be a byproduct of the linguistic capabilities of the LH. This same literature initially limited the role of the right hemisphere (RH) to little more than visual organization. Recent reviews have garnered evidence for several different roles for the right PFC in reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making. We here focus on the beneficial but neglected role of indeterminacy in real-world problem solving and argue that the right PFC complements the left PFC “interpreter” by maintaining, and even enhancing indeterminacy. Successful real-world functioning is a delicate balancing act between these two systems.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 326 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | June |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 16 2015 |
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Keywords
- Hemispheric asymmetry
- Hemispheric lateralization
- Hemispheric specialization
- Ill-structured problems
- Real-world problem solving
- Reasoning
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Neurology
- Biological Psychiatry
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Cite this
Indeterminacy tolerance as a basis of hemispheric asymmetry within prefrontal cortex. / Goel, Vinod.
In: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Vol. 9, No. June, 326, 16.06.2015.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Indeterminacy tolerance as a basis of hemispheric asymmetry within prefrontal cortex
AU - Goel, Vinod
PY - 2015/6/16
Y1 - 2015/6/16
N2 - There is an important hemispheric distinction in the functional organization of prefrontal cortex (PFC) that has not been fully recognized and explored. Research with split-brain patients provides considerable evidence for a left hemisphere (LH) “interpreter” that abhors indeterminacy and automatically draws inferences to complete patterns (real or imaginary). It is suggested that this “interpreter” function may be a byproduct of the linguistic capabilities of the LH. This same literature initially limited the role of the right hemisphere (RH) to little more than visual organization. Recent reviews have garnered evidence for several different roles for the right PFC in reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making. We here focus on the beneficial but neglected role of indeterminacy in real-world problem solving and argue that the right PFC complements the left PFC “interpreter” by maintaining, and even enhancing indeterminacy. Successful real-world functioning is a delicate balancing act between these two systems.
AB - There is an important hemispheric distinction in the functional organization of prefrontal cortex (PFC) that has not been fully recognized and explored. Research with split-brain patients provides considerable evidence for a left hemisphere (LH) “interpreter” that abhors indeterminacy and automatically draws inferences to complete patterns (real or imaginary). It is suggested that this “interpreter” function may be a byproduct of the linguistic capabilities of the LH. This same literature initially limited the role of the right hemisphere (RH) to little more than visual organization. Recent reviews have garnered evidence for several different roles for the right PFC in reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making. We here focus on the beneficial but neglected role of indeterminacy in real-world problem solving and argue that the right PFC complements the left PFC “interpreter” by maintaining, and even enhancing indeterminacy. Successful real-world functioning is a delicate balancing act between these two systems.
KW - Hemispheric asymmetry
KW - Hemispheric lateralization
KW - Hemispheric specialization
KW - Ill-structured problems
KW - Real-world problem solving
KW - Reasoning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84935894625&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84935894625&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00326
DO - 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00326
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84935894625
VL - 9
JO - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
JF - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
SN - 1662-5161
IS - June
M1 - 326
ER -