Handedness and Working Memory: Exploring Modality-Specific Effects

Working memory (WM) distinctions between right- and left-handers show inconsistent results in visual and verbal modalities. However, the tactual modality has not yet been assessed. The aim of the current study was to compare right- and left-handers across the three modalities. Thirty-two right handers and thirty left handers participants performed the Digit Span, Visuospatial Span, and Tactual Span tasks, encompassing forward and backward recalls. Results showed no difference between left- and right-handers on overall WM ability, and Tactual Span scores were lower compared to the other tasks. Left-handers performed better on the forward Visuospatial Span but worse than right-handers on the backward Tactual Span. Findings indicate that hemispheric lateralization patterns associated with handedness yield modality-specific advantages, highlighting the importance of considering both modality and handedness in interpreting WM performance, with implications for refining neuropsychological assessment.