Can I twist your arm? The influence of target orientation on the magnitude of the right-hand advantage.
Controversy exists concerning whether handedness is a unidimensional trait or a multidimensional trait. However, researchers espousing the view that handedness is multidimensional are in disagreement regarding what the dimensions are that underlie handedness. Healey, Liederman, and Geschwind (1986) have provided some evidence that the type of musculature utilised (i.e., proximal versus distal) may be an underlying factor in determining handedness. The present research attempted to test this notion by examining the effects of target orientation on the relative performance of the two hands, using a peg-moving task. Target orientation was examined by utilising key-shaped pegs that fit securely into key-shaped holes. The results showed that the presence of target orientation increased the preferred-hand advantage. It is considered that this increased advantage for the right hand may be due to the hemispheric control of proximal versus distal musculature suggested by Geschwind and Galaburda (1985).
Bryden
P J
PJ
University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. pbryden@wlu.ca