<P> For the majority of the nineteenth century , the left brain hemisphere was the key focus of clinical research on language disorders ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . In the twentieth century , focus gradually shifted to include right hemisphere damage ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . It is now well established that language and cognition can be seriously impaired by unilateral right hemisphere brain damage . Specific cognitive tests can help diagnose the existence of right hemisphere brain damage and differentiate symptoms from those of left hemisphere damage . Unlike the aphasias , caused by left hemisphere damage and generally resulting in focused language deficits , right hemisphere brain damage can result in a variety of diffuse deficits which complicate formal testing of this disorder ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . These formal tests assess areas such as understanding humor , metaphors , sarcasm , facial expression , and prosody . However , not all individuals with right hemisphere brain damage have problems in language or communication and some may have no discernible symptoms . Indeed , about half of patients with right hemisphere damage have intact communication abilities ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . </P>
<P> For the majority of the nineteenth century , the left brain hemisphere was the key focus of clinical research on language disorders ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . In the twentieth century , focus gradually shifted to include right hemisphere damage ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . It is now well established that language and cognition can be seriously impaired by unilateral right hemisphere brain damage . Specific cognitive tests can help diagnose the existence of right hemisphere brain damage and differentiate symptoms from those of left hemisphere damage . Unlike the aphasias , caused by left hemisphere damage and generally resulting in focused language deficits , right hemisphere brain damage can result in a variety of diffuse deficits which complicate formal testing of this disorder ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . These formal tests assess areas such as understanding humor , metaphors , sarcasm , facial expression , and prosody . However , not all individuals with right hemisphere brain damage have problems in language or communication and some may have no discernible symptoms . Indeed , about half of patients with right hemisphere damage have intact communication abilities ( Brookshire , 2007 ) . </P>
damage to this part of the brain can result in reduced ability to comprehend and / or produce humor
damage to this part of the brain can result in reduced ability to comprehend and / or produce humor
right hemisphere
right hemisphere