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Published on: July 26, 2013
Right and left handedness defined: a multivariate approach using hand preference and hand performance measures
D M Corey1, M M Hurley, A L Foundas
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. dave@tulane.edu
Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Neurology
|August 22, 2001
Summary
This study reveals that combining hand preference inventories and performance measures accurately identifies distinct right- and left-handed groups. This approach is crucial for future research into the neurobiology of handedness and hemispheric specialization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Behavior
- Psychology
Background:
- Handedness classification is complex, with unclear distinctions between preference and performance measures.
- Understanding distinct handedness groups is vital for exploring lateralized differences in brain function, particularly language specialization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if combining hand preference inventories and performance measures can identify distinct handedness groups.
- To establish a robust method for subgrouping individuals based on handedness for future neurobiological research.
Main Methods:
- Assessed hand preference in 62 adults using established inventories (Briggs and Nebes, Oldfield).
- Employed cluster analysis and visual inspection to define preference-based handedness groups.
- Examined motor task performance asymmetries (grooved pegboard, finger-tapping, grip strength) using a multivariate approach.
Main Results:
- Two distinct, non-overlapping groups (right- and left-hand preference) were identified.
- Writing hand strongly correlated with preference groups; few individuals wrote with their non-preferred hand.
- Multivariate analysis of performance data revealed distinct subgroups, aligning with preference groups in over 90% of cases; no sex differences observed.
Conclusions:
- Handedness is a multidimensional trait requiring multiple measures of preference and performance for accurate classification.
- A combination of preference inventories and multiple performance tasks reliably distinguishes right- and left-handers.
- This refined classification of handedness groups has significant implications for research on neural asymmetry and language lateralization.
