Future research directions in laterality

This paper considers the current conceptual state of research into neuropsychological laterality and considers some issues which might appropriately be considered for the forward development of the field. It considers the biological context which has been adopted for these studies and the psychological significance of performance asymmetries. A principal emphasis of the paper is the degree to which inferences, rather than direct methodological deductions, can be drawn from the research undertaken. The status of the dichotomies which have been proposed, the role of interhemispheric transfer, and stages of processing models are considered. The degree to which cerebral asymmetries may be inferred to reflect normal processes of the brain is questioned, and some prospects of the future discussed.