The right hemisphere is more realistic but also more pessimistic and favors depression
The right hemisphere is more self-aware and realistic, while the left is more grandiose, optimistic, and unrealistic about it’s shortcomings. Also, although relatively speaking the right hemisphere takes a more pessimistic view of the self, it is also more realistic about it. There is evidence that (a) those who are somewhat depressed are more realistic, including in self-evaluation; and that (b) depression is (often) a condition of relative hemisphere asymmetry, favoring the right hemisphere. I believe this may be what is behind depressive realism. Even schizophrenics have more insight into their condition in proportion to the degree that they have depressive symptoms. The evidence is that this is not because insight makes you depressed, but because being depressed gives you insight.
References
- Mcgilchrist, Iain. (2010). The Master and His Emissary Chapter 2 What Do the Hemispheres Do (p. 169). London, UK: Yale University Press.
Metadata
Type:🔴 Tags: Biology / Neuroscience / Neuropsychology Status:☀️