This study is discussed to support the idea that we have a lot of built-in flaws and that shared acknowledgement of them will lead to a kinder more compassionate culture.
Asymmetry
According to Kenneth Hugdahl in an article titled Symmetry and Asymmetry in the human brain what may seem to look symmetrical functions asymmetrically. In his analysis asymmetry is the norm in brain functioning and the nervous system. His analysis isolates areas of the brain in both humans and monkeys that show the functional asymmetry of the brain. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is discussed to show how the brain strives for symmetry and what can result in a deviation from it. Hugdahl states:
Although asymmetry is the norm when it comes to functions of the brain and nervous system, the mind also strives for symmetry, and sometimes ‘symmetry breaking’ is an aversive state of mind to be avoided. This can be exemplified in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) where breaking a symmetrical behaviour pattern produces anxiety and is a clinical syndrome that seriously handicaps the patient. (p.121)
Hugdahl also discusses auditory experiments in detail to show the functional asymmetry of hearing. The experiments are called dichotic listening, which is when two auditory stimuli are presented at the same time. In the studies discussed the sounds are based on a combination of consonants and vowels that do not make sense, so word associations do not factor into the study. The results of these experiments show a propensity for listening in the right ear. This outcome is defined as the right ear advantage (REA). After an agonizingly complex analysis of how sound travels through the auditory system Hugdahl states the right ear advantage reflects a left hemisphere “language (speech) dominant hemisphere”. (127) This research in biological psychology by such scientists as Hugdahl shows the complexity of processing simple sounds.
Hugdahl’s research along with others that he has cited all show the inner workings of the mind to have a propensity for certain traits over others and in extreme forms can lead to mental illness. One question that arises from this perspective is how long is the trajectory toward mental illness before the mind gets stuck, as exemplified in the distressing need for symmetry experienced in OCD? And secondly, do we all operate along a continuum of attachment toward symmetry which can induce unfavourable responses, but not distressing enough to be diagnosed? How about the folks that must have routines remain intact and will blow their minds and emotions out over changes? Are those kinds of undesirable outbursts of temper related to brain functioning along the symmetry trajectory that can lead to OCD? How much latitude in a compassionate understanding of ourselves and others could be inspired by grounding our understanding of ourselves and others in the complexities of our perceptual capacities? This line of questioning is not in support of an essentialist position where the body has pre-eminence over mind but is to restore the chasm between body and mind that is typified in Descartes statement of, I think therefore I am. This concept is still very much a mainspring of culture and media. Mind is matter, and Hugdahl shows in very sophisticated terms some of the biases within our perception.