Cultural and environmental aspects influence lateral preferences

Transcultural approaches comparing the distribution of lateral preference between countries focused primarily on handedness. However, other laterality dimensions may also be susceptible to cultural variations. The present study compared lateral preference in five dimensions (hand, foot, trunk, hearing, and visual) of young adults from Brazil and Mozambique. Two hundred and two undergraduate students participated in the study, of which 101 were Brazilian (21.7 ± 1.66 years old) and 101 Mozambican (25.6 ± 6.2 years old). The participants' lateral preference direction and degree were assessed using the global lateral preference inventory. Most Brazilians were classified in the moderate preference category, while Mozambicans had a higher frequency of individuals with strong preferences. Hence, Mozambicans presented a higher lateralization degree for all dimensions. A subsequent analysis considering only preference direction (right, left or indifferent), and not degree, did not show the same outcomes, revealing similarities in preference distribution between the two groups. This finding highlights the necessity to incorporate preference degrees in future analysis to not overlook potential differences. We also conclude lateral preference investigations with transcultural approaches should analyse beyond handedness, as other dimensions can also be modulated by cultural characteristics.