Lateral preferences among indian school children
M Singh1, M Manjary, G Dellatolas
1Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut, India.
Summary
Hand preference in Indian children shows lower left-handedness prevalence compared to French children. Handedness strength increases with age, and females exhibit greater lateralization in motor skills.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Human Motor Control
- Cross-Cultural Studies
Background:
- Hand preference (handedness) is a fundamental aspect of human motor control.
- Previous research indicates significant cross-cultural variations in handedness prevalence.
- Understanding laterality in children is crucial for developmental and neurological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hand preference prevalence and characteristics in Indian children.
- To compare findings with previous cross-cultural studies, particularly those from France.
- To examine age and sex differences in various lateral preference measures and hand skills.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with Indian children (ages 4-18).
- Study 1: Observed hand preference for unimanual activities in 718 children (ages 4-11).
- Study 2: Assessed handedness, footedness, eyedness, and hand skill in 400 schoolchildren (ages 6-18) using behavioral tasks.
Main Results:
- Left-handedness prevalence was 3.2% in Study 1 and 4.2% in Study 2, significantly lower than French samples.
- Preference strength, not direction, correlated with age; older children showed stronger preferences.
- Females displayed higher right-sided preferences and greater lateralization in motor skills compared to males.
Conclusions:
- Indian children exhibit a distinct pattern of hand preference compared to Western populations.
- Age and sex significantly influence the development and expression of lateral preferences and skills.
- These findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological and cultural factors shaping human lateralization.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Surveys
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
02:01Group Design
The most basic experimental design involves two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The two groups are designed to be the same except for one difference— experimental manipulation. The experimental group gets the experimental manipulation—that is, the treatment or variable being tested—and the control group does not. Since experimental manipulation is the only difference between the experimental and control groups, we can be sure that any differences between the two are due to...
01:28Lateralization
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
01:27Parenting Styles
Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
01:29Close Relationships and Culture
Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...