Handedness and language laterality: discrimination of handedness groups on the dichotic consonant-vowel task

Previous studies of the performances of left and right handed S groups on the DCVT have failed to discriminate the groups. The present study examined the performance of 102 right handers and 104 left handers on the DCVT, with a free report of only one syllable per trial procedure. Results showed that, as administered, the DCVT possessed good reliability and left and right handed groups were clearly discriminated during the second half of the dichotic trials. Neither sex nor familial sinistrality factors contributed to this group discrimination. Analysis of the relationship of manual preferences for various activities (Edinburgh Handedness Inventory) with DCVT REAs showed that right hand preferences were associated with REAs across groups for most Edinburgh items during the second half of the trials. This association was shown to be strongest in the left handed Ss. In general, the results offer support for both the reliability and validity of the DCVT.