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A developmental analysis of the relationship between hand preference and performance: I. Preferential reaching into
K M Pryde1, P J Bryden, E A Roy
1Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Canada.
Brain and Cognition
|June 17, 2000
Summary
This study examined how children and adults use their preferred hand for tasks in different body positions. Hand preference consistency changes with age, with younger children and adults showing less preferred hand use in left hemispace compared to older children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Neuroscience
- Motor control
Background:
- Hand preference, the tendency to favor one hand over the other, is a fundamental aspect of human motor development.
- Understanding how hand preference develops and is influenced by factors like age, task complexity, and spatial positioning is crucial for cognitive and motor neuroscience.
- Previous research has explored hand preference but often without fully integrating task complexity and hemispace positioning within a developmental framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel developmental performance measure for hand preference.
- To investigate the influence of task complexity (simple vs. complex) and hemispace position (right vs. left) on hand selection in children and adults.
- To analyze age-related trends in preferred hand use across different developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Eighty right-handed participants across four age groups (3-4, 6-7, 9-10, 18-24 years) were observed.
- Participants performed two unimanual tasks: one simple and one complex.
- Hand selection responses were recorded across right and left hemispace positions.
Main Results:
- A significant age-related trend was observed in preferred hand use across hemispace.
- Adults and the youngest children (3-4 years) showed decreased preferred hand use in left hemispace.
- Children aged 6-10 years demonstrated consistent preferred hand use in both right and left hemispace.
Conclusions:
- Hand preference expression is dynamic and influenced by developmental stage, hemispace, and task demands.
- The findings suggest a developmental shift in the neural control or cognitive strategies underlying hand preference.
- Further research can explore the relationship between hand preference, skilled motor performance, and efficient task execution throughout development.