title: Is that graspable? Let your right hand be the judge.
abstract: A right-hand preference for visually-guided grasping has been shown on numerous accounts. Grasping an object requires the integration of both visual and motor components of visuomotor processing. It has been suggested that the left hemisphere plays an integral role in visuomotor functions. The present study serves to investigate whether the visual processing of graspable objects, without any actual reaching or grasping movements, yields a right-hand (left-hemisphere) advantage. Further, we aim to address whether such an advantage is automatically evoked by motor affordances. Two groups of right-handed participants were asked to categorize objects presented on a computer monitor by responding on a keypad. The first group was asked to categorize visual stimuli as graspable (e.g. apple) or non-graspable (e.g. car). A second group categorized the same stimuli but as nature-made (e.g. apple) or man-made (e.g. car). Reaction times were measured in response to the visually presented stimuli. Results showed a right-hand advantage for graspable objects only when participants were asked to respond to the graspable/non-graspable categorization. When participants were asked to categorize objects as nature-made or man-made, a right-hand advantage for graspable objects did not emerge. The results suggest that motor affordances may not always be automatic and might require conscious representations that are appropriate for object interaction.
authors.affiliation: The Brain in Action Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada. Electronic address: nicole.netelenbos@uleth.ca.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Netelenbos
authors.affiliation: The Brain in Action Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada. Electronic address: claudia.gonzalez@uleth.ca.
authors.forename: Claudia L R
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Graspable; Left hemisphere; Motor affordances; Object categorization; Right hand