Brain dominance according to Herrmann’s quadrants: which one is yours?

The Herrmann brain dominance test is a 120-question instrument used to find out how we process information and what is your particular learning style. Within this curious model, it is explained to us that the brain has four quadrants and that generally we all have a certain predisposition towards one of these typologies.

It is very possible that more than one of our readers has performed this test on some occasion. However, it must be said that it is not especially common due to a very specific fact. He “Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument” (HBDI) does not present validity from a neurological point of viewIn fact, many scientists say that it is part of what is usually called “pop psychology.”

The issue of brain dominance and lateralization is very controversial.. Let’s take an example, this instrument explains that creativity is located exclusively in the right hemisphere. It should be said that this information is not entirely correct, since creative processes, in reality, make use of the entire brain, of each area in a neuroactivity that is as sophisticated as it is wonderful.

Does this mean that Hermann’s brain dominance test is of no use? Absolutely. There is an aspect that makes it valuable, and therefore, it is advisable to bring it up in our space. This test is based on an important premise: each person has a particular way of processing information, to transform it, to induce data, to interpret.

We only have to see it in the students when studying or even in ourselves when we work. There are those who are more meticulous, conservative, others are innovative, some are more visual and others process information better in an auditory or communicative way… All of this fits with the hypotheses used in the Herrmann test and that is the classification it can offer us.

Brain dominance in the Herrmann test

Before talking about this instrument developed in the 90s, it is worth talking about its creator, Professor Ned Herrmann.. He was president of the American Creativity Association and one of the pioneers in creative thinking and reasoning. Specialized in physics and music, he worked early at General Electric with one objective: to improve the production, motivation and creativity of employees.

To this end, Mr. Herrmann analyzed the different thinking and learning styles of all workers, thereby inducing a brain map. From there, he developed the theory of brain quadrants to state 4 typologies, four different ways in which people supposedly tend to learn, think, create, interact and understand our reality.

This cerebral dominance is described as follows:

Type A: analytical people

Ned Herrmann called them experts. It is a type of profile characterized by a logical, analytical and rather technical thinking style.

They are very rational people who infer data from specific facts. Likewise, analytical people tend to be rather competitive and individualistic, also intelligent, ironic and with a great sense of humor. The jobs most related to this type of cerebral dominance are those related to mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry…

Type B: organizational style

As the word itself explains, we are faced with a type of organized profile, lover of order and meticulousness.

They do not carry out any action without having previously planned it, they like everything that is predictable, conservative and that is also under their control. Generally, In this “organizational” quadrant there can be company directors, managers, accountants…

Type C: the relational

Type C refers to that cerebral dominance that tends towards emotionality, to the need to connect with others, to relate to enjoy that social contact where you feel useful, where you give and receive.

They are people who know how to communicate, who are spontaneous, extroverted and who generally tend to prefer jobs such as journalism, nursing, social work, law, etc.

Type D: the experimental

The fourth profile of this test on cerebral dominance refers to that personality characterized by a holistic mentality. They are visual, spontaneous and highly creative profiles.

They are people who like to experiment and innovate, even if this has some associated risk. They always look to tomorrow but try to learn from the present to be able to go further every day.

So, The professions that type D usually encompasses are architects, writers, musicians, painters, designers, etc.

To conclude, after having seen these four typologies of Herrmann’s brain dominance test, it is possible that more than one person does not identify with a single area. It’s common. In fact, estimates on the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) they tell us that Almost 60% of the population usually has traits in more than one of these four areas.

In addition, It is important to note that no dominance is better than another and that they do not determine or predict anything.. It only tells us what orientation we usually have when interacting with our environment or our style to process the data that comes to us from it. It is, why not, a simple way to get to know each other a little better.

You might be interested…