COGNITIVE ACTIVITY OF THE RIGHT-HEMISPHERE - POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION

This paper reviews evidence from split-brain and other, more recent st udies that have enriched and advanced our understanding of the cogniti ve and emotional abilities and characteristics of the right hemisphere . The more recent work includes research on intact subjects (employing Wada tests, unilateral videos, and functional imaging) and neurophysi ological studies on dissociated states such as multiple personality di sorder and hypnosis. The literature continues to support the view that in intact persons, the right hemisphere has significant mental facult ies that can operate with some independence from those of the left hem isphere. The paper also reviews relevant psychodynamic literature and discusses the theoretical and therapeutic implications of the existenc e of these partially autonomous right hemispheric mental faculties.