Thursday, June 14, 2012

Analytic? Holistic? Which Learning Style Is Which?

People often ask what the difference is between analytic and holistic learning styles.

Left brain information processing = analytic/logical thinking = sequential processing



Generally, people with a left-brain dominance are sequential thinkers, analytics who like facts, details and logic. They tend to like their work areas neat and organised. They have perfect filing systems, always deal with one project at a time and are deadline-driven. Keeping lists of tasks to do is their favourite hobby, and if they complete something that=s not on their list, they are likely to add it just for the satisfaction of crossing it out. Analytics are the ones who know the price of eggs in the local dairy, hang up the toilet paper so that the straight part touches the wall, roll up the toothpaste tube and replace the cap. An analytic cook follows a recipe step by step, and if she runs out of an ingredient, she drives to the shops to replace it.



Right brain information processing = holistic/global thinking = simultaneous processing


Right-brained people, in contrast, are holistic multi-processors. They aren't interested in the nitty-gritty of issues. Instead, they need to know the overall picture, the reasons behind a project rather than its deadline. Piles of paper gather dust on their desks and office floor, yet they are able to find any document at a moment's notice. Holistics tend to use their intuition or feelings rather than rationalise about a problem. A holistic cook never ever keeps a shopping list, doesn't sticks to recipes and is happy to substitute milo for cocoa powder in her chocolate cake.


That's why some people mistake right-brain dominance for creative talent. But creativity and genius are a marvellous combination of our entire brain and have little to do with the processing hemisphere of our preference.

Are you analytic or holistic? Find out.




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