Visual field recognition memory for right-handed females as a function of familial handedness

Recognition memory for nonsense words presented vertically and unilaterally in the left and right visual fields was investigated in right-handed females as a function of the memory interval and familial handedness. The subject decided whether another nonsense word presented in central vision after memory intervals of 0, 5, or 10 sec. was the same as the stimulus word. The exposure duration producing a recognition accuracy of about 75% for each subject was employed and ranged from 5 to 28 msec. Right-handed females with only right-handed family members demonstrated right visual field superiorities indicative of a slight left hemisphere specialization for memory but not for reception of verbal material. Field superiorities obtained for right-handed females with a left-handed parent or sibling were not significant. In general, less complete lateralization of linguistic function in females was indicated and the importance of familial handedness in cerebral asymmetry of function was confirmed.