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Hand preference, magical thinking and left-right confusion.

Fern Jaspers-Fayer1, Michael Peters

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, ON, Canada.

Laterality
|April 26, 2005
PubMed
Summary

This study found no link between hand preference and magical ideation scores in university students. However, left-right confusion was linked to magical ideation in females, suggesting response styles may influence results.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Previous research indicates a correlation between hand preference and Magical Ideation Scale (MIS) scores.
  • Specifically, mixed-handed individuals reportedly exhibit higher MIS scores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between hand preference and MIS scores in a student population.
  • To explore potential confounding factors, such as response styles, in this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed hand preference using multiple definitions and questionnaires in 156 male and 257 female undergraduate students.
  • Administered the Magical Ideation Scale (MIS) to all participants.
  • Analyzed correlations between hand preference, left-right confusion index, and MIS scores.

Main Results:

  • No significant correlation was found between overall hand preference and MIS scores.
  • An index of left-right confusion showed a significant positive relationship with MIS scores, but only in female participants.
  • This suggests that response styles and questionnaire approach may be more influential than previously assumed.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support a direct link between general hand preference and magical ideation.
  • Left-right confusion as a specific measure of response style is associated with magical ideation in females.
  • Further research should consider individual response styles when examining links between handedness and psychological variables.

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