Humans are thought be the only species that have asymmetrical brains. It is this specialisation between the sides of the brain that may have been an important factor in the development of language. Now, one researcher is suggesting that brain symmetry is important in mental illness.
Professor Crow, who works at the Schizophrenia Research Institute, suggests that it is a lack of asymmetry in patients with schizophrenia which is at the root of their mental illness. Psychoses could be a result of information leaking from one part of the brain to another. This may cause, for example, internal thoughts to be experienced as real external voices.
Genetics have a large role to play in brain development and so Professor Crow's research is concentrating on this area for the root causes. Still, while a genetic component will probably be important, other factors such as social and environmental are also going to play their part. 
BBC NewsSome evidence that non-human primates have asymmetrical brains.
How to Be Creative
If we can all be creative, why is it so hard to come up with truly original ideas?
It's because creativity is mysterious. Just ask any scientist, artist, writer or other highly creative person to explain how they come up with brilliant ideas and, if they're honest, they don't really know.
But over the decades psychologists have given ordinary participants countless tests, forms and tasks and conducted hundreds of hours of interviews. From these emerge the psychological conditions of creativity.
Not what you should do, but how you should be...
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