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Which Way Do You Spin… Left Brain or Right Brain?

Which way is the dancer spinning… clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Most people will see her turning counter-clockwise, which apparently means you’re more left brained (logical). I see her spinning that way, and it’s at first almost impossible to imagine her going clockwise. But it happens, usually by focusing or when something unexpectedly alters your perception.

Here’s the typical run down on left versus right brain:

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS

uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS

uses feeling
“big picture” oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can “get it” (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

Many people associate the right brain with creativity and lateral thinking, and there’s certainly something to that. Our left brains create structures that can act as barriers to alternative solutions and perspectives.

But your left brain plays a crucial role in creativity as well. Seeing logical associations between seemingly unrelated things is a hallmark of creativity. And the critical-thinking skills necessary to tell a good idea from a bad one are pretty important too.

So… tell us which way your dancer spins for you in the comments. And weigh in with your opinion about the right brain versus left brain for creativity… isn’t it a really a “whole mind” thing?

P.S. Want to know how this optical illusion works? Read this.

About the Author: Brian Clark is a new media entrepreneur and co-founder of Lateral Action. Subscribe today to get free updates by email or RSS.

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View Comments (426)

  • Want hear something weird?
    Each time I see this it changes for me.

    Though, so does my L/R brain, so it's actually,
    accurate.

  • I could have sworn that I was left brained, but I don't know how you could convince me that she is spinning counter clockwise.

  • Geez... i can see her both ways. Not at the same time, but going down in text, when i come back up, she's spinning the other way. And then I go back, and going up again and she's spinning the first way again.

    And over, and over.

  • I see her spinning clockwise. I'm staring at her, trying to make myself see her spin the other way, but I can't do it. I'm super-right-brained :)

    I believe, I appreciate, I imagine. Yeah, the clockwise-ness makes sense.

  • Wow, I see her spinning clockwise. I am still trying to get her spin the other way.

    I am INTP (MBTI) - which says my strength is logic. I would have thought I am left brained. I am confused :0

    I think every single person is creative, in very very different ways. But we all harness our creativity in very different ways. People who think they are special because they are creative do not like this definition, since it has been believed for many years that creativity creates an exclusive "brand" ... but it is amazing to see what even the most boring people come up with when they get in the "flow" - aka - use whole-brain!

  • I see her spinning clockwise. If I really really work at it, I can see counterclockwise for a second or two before she goes back to clockwise.

    Wonder if this has any relationship with the fact I'm left-handed?

  • I too can see her both ways. Apparently my mind is on overdrive!! What a cool and creative test!

    I'd like to know - who is surprised by their results? Thought you were left-brained and found out that you're really right-brained? Or vice-versa? Please let us know!

  • Clockwise - no matter what I do I never see her spinning the other way. I guess this means I'm right-brained, which I already knew.

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