Laterality of cerebral function: relations with anxiety, repression, and perception.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Human Laterality

Background:

• Understanding brain lateralization and its relationship with cognitive functions is crucial.
• Previous research has explored handedness and hemispheric balance, but their precise links to perception and memory remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a laterality quotient (LQ) to assess hemispheric balance.
• To investigate the relationship between this LQ, handedness, repressive tendencies, perceptual style, and working short-term memory.

Main Methods:

• Two factor analyses were conducted on data from 67 right-handed undergraduates.
• A laterality quotient was devised using forward memory spans (spatial minus digit, divided by their sum).
• Correlations were examined with the Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Navon tachistoscopic task, trait anxiety, and working short-term memory.

Main Results:

• The devised laterality quotient served as a principal marker for a hemispheric balance factor.
• This factor positively correlated with right-handedness (Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire) and repressive tendencies (Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale).
• Hemispheric balance was positively related to global perception and unrelated to trait anxiety and working short-term memory; trait anxiety negatively related to global perception.

Conclusions:

• Greater right-handedness may be associated with the release of the nondominant right hemisphere from inhibition.
• Working short-term memory may not be a lateralized cognitive function.
• Hemispheric balance, as indicated by the LQ, is linked to perceptual style and personality traits.