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Comparing human and nonhuman primate handedness: challenges and a modest proposal for consensus
1Neuroscience Institute and Language Research Center, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5030, USA. whopkins4@gsu.edu
Developmental Psychobiology
|August 6, 2013
Summary
Studies on primate handedness show inconsistent evidence for population-level hand preference. This review discusses challenges in comparative research and proposes a framework for evaluating handedness measures in monkeys and apes.
Area of Science:
- Primate Behavior
- Comparative Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Research over the past 20-25 years has investigated handedness in nonhuman primates.
- The primary aim is to determine if monkeys and apes exhibit hand preference patterns similar to human right-handedness.
Discussion:
- Existing findings on primate handedness present inconsistent evidence for population-level preferences.
- Methodological and statistical challenges complicate comparative studies of handedness between humans and nonhuman primates.
Key Insights:
- Inconsistent evidence for population-level handedness in nonhuman primates.
- Significant methodological and statistical hurdles exist in comparative handedness research.
- Need for standardized measures and characterization of individual hand preferences.
Outlook:
- A proposed framework aims to establish consensus on evaluating handedness measures.
- Future research should focus on refining methodologies for valid characterization of primate hand preference.
- Standardized approaches will enhance the reliability of comparative handedness studies.
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