Differential effects of melodic complexity in hemispheric processing by the two cerebral hemispheres

Human cerebral hemispheres exhibit anatomical and functional asymmetries. Various theoretical models are offered for explaining the difference between the working principles of the two hemispheres that stem from these asymmetries. One such model proposes that the left hemisphere operates in a serial manner, while the right hemisphere operates in a parallel manner, in terms of processing information. In this context, what the terms “serial” and “parallel” refer to is ambiguous. The present study aimed to define serial and parallel processing as it is discussed in various disciplines and assess the theory in the light of this theoretical background. The findings support the hypothesis that there is a tendency for the left hemisphere to operate in serial manner and the right hemisphere in parallel manner, yet they are not conclusive.