Left and Right-Brain Dominance, Ambiguity Tolerance, Reflectivity and Impulsivity, Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Styles

by: Ahmad Mahfudillah Syam and Nur Hidayati

Left and Right-Brain Dominance

Left and right-brain dominance is a potentially significant issue in developing a theory of second language acquisition. The left hemisphere is associated with logical, analytical thought and linear processing of information. The right hemisphere perceives and remember visual, tactile, and auditory images. Scovel (1982) reminds that the left and right-brain differences tend to draw more attention than the research warrants at the present time.

Ambiguity Tolerance.

Some people that are open-minded in accepting ideologies, events, and facts that contradict their own views is called ambiguity tolerance. And some people that are more closed-minded and dogmatic to reject items with existing system is called ambiguity intolerance. The advantages and disadvantages of ambiguity tolerance are present in each style. A successful language learning needs tolerance, at least for interim periods or stages. Ambiguity intolerance also has advantages and disadvantages. It can guard against the wishy-washy to close off avenues of hopeless possibilities, entirely contradictory material, and to deal the reality. Some researcher agree to apply this style in learning of second language, such as Naiman (1978) and Chapelle and Robert (1986).

Reflectivity and Impulsivity.

Impulsivity is the cognitive domain to make either a quick or gambling. And reflectivity is guess at an answer to a problem. According to David Ewing, Reflectivity or Impulsivity is related two dimension style; systematic and intuitive style. An intuitive style implies an approach a number of different gambles on the basis of “hunches”. Systematic tend to weigh all the consideration in a problem, all the loopholes, and then venture a solution.

Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Styles.

Visual learners tend to prefer reading and studying charts, drawing and other graphic information. Auditory learners prefer listening and audiotapes. Kinesthetic learners show a preference for demonstration and physical activity.