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Is a maturational lag associated with left-handedness? A research note
W O Eaton1, J G Chipperfield, K F Ritchot
1Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Warren_Eaton@Umanitoba.CA
Summary
This study investigated the developmental lag hypothesis linking left-handedness to shorter lifespans. Researchers found no association between hand preference and physical maturity in children, questioning the theory.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Biology
- Human Biology
Background:
- The Coren and Halpern theory proposes left-handedness is linked to shorter lifespans.
- A key element is the hypothesis of a developmental lag in left-handed individuals.
- This lag may stem from perinatal traumas affecting lateral preference development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the developmental lag hypothesis in relation to left-handedness.
- To determine if sinistrality is associated with maturational lag in children.
- To examine the relationship between hand preference and physical development indicators.
Main Methods:
- Assessed current stature, predicted adult stature, and relative stature in elementary school-aged children.
- Utilized three separate, large-sample studies for robust data.
- Measured physical maturity as an index of developmental status.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant relationships were found between hand preference (left vs. right) and the three measures of physical status.
- Findings were consistent across all three independent studies.
- Physical maturity indicators did not correlate with left-handedness in the studied pre-adolescent samples.
Conclusions:
- The results cast significant doubt on the viability of the left-handed developmental lag hypothesis.
- Repeated failures to confirm the hypothesis with pre-adolescent samples suggest it may not be a valid explanation.
- Further research is needed to explore alternative explanations for any observed associations between left-handedness and lifespan.