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Cerebral Lateralization
The localization of brain functions attributed to either the right or the left hemisphere. Using a number of methods, researchers have collected evidence for hemispheric lateralization of the human brain. In general, the left hemisphere is believed to largely control verbal activities, such as reading, writing, or speaking. The left hemisphere, on the other hand, plays an essential role in nonverbal activities, such as visuospatial abilities, recognition of faces and other people's emotional states, and the processing of music. One of the tools used to make determinations about hemispheric lateralization is comparing people with damage to either hemisphere.