Have you ever heard people say that they tend to be more of a right-brain or left-brain thinker? From books to television programs, you have probably heard the term mentioned numerous times, or perhaps you have even taken an online test to determine which type best describes you. Do different parts of the brain really control different bodily and mental functions? Over the years, a theory that has gained in popularity is that the right brain and the left brain are responsible for different modes of thought and that the way in which a person thinks will depend on which side of his brain works more actively. People who rely more heavily on the right half of their brain tend to be more imaginative and spontaneous. They are interested in patterns, shapes and sizes, for the right brain is associated with artistic ability like singing, painting, writing poetry, etc. Left-brain dominated people are quite opposite in the way they think. They tend to be more logical and analytical in their thinking and usually stand out in mathematics and word skills. While the different functions of the two brain parts may have been distorted and exaggerated by popular psychology, understanding your strengths and weaknesses in certain areas can help you develop better ways to learn and study. For example, if you are usually stumped in trying to follow verbal instructions, an activity often cited as a right-brain characteristic, you can benefit from writing down directions and developing better organizational skills.