How Are Left and Right Handed People Different?

Throughout the human species, right-handedness is the tendency for the strong majority of the population with left-handedness considered a deviation or quirk. Though research into the causes of left-handedness is ongoing, the tendency is believed to be genetic with preferences for hand use in thumb-sucking showing up in pre-natal ultrasounds. According to a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry scientists discovered a gene associated with left-handedness in 2007. In addition to this, according to an article at psychologistworld.com, children of left-handed parents are more likely to be left-handed themselves.

Functioning

Contrary to popular opinion, preference for a writing hand is not the sole indicator of handedness, as many people who write with their right hand will favor their left for most other activities (psychologistsworld.com). However, the reverse phenomenon is not often observed. People who are left-handed will also tend to develop higher degrees of ambidextrousness in order to compensate for the fact that many hand-operated devices are designed for use primarily by the right hand.

Statistics

There are many interesting and accepted statistics regarding the occurrence of left-handedness that may help to explain more about its causes in the future. For example, left-handedness is slightly more likely to occur in men than in women (psychologistsworld.com). Also, many researchers, such as Professor Chris McManus of University College, London, connect the tendency with higher-than-average abilities to think creatively and to multi-task.

History

Historically, left-handed people have received different treatment and levels of acceptance than right-handed people. Until recent years, teachers and parents in American and European cultures have commonly pressured left-handed children to suppress their natural preference while Western culture, including biblical culture, is full of linguistic and cultural references that show a distrust and dislike of left-handed people, including words for lefties such as "southpaw" and "sinister."

Cultural

Nowadays, left handers enjoy cultural acceptance in the US, but many world cultures still retain a preference for right-handedness. For example, in Bali, babies are taught to reach for food with their right hand and right handedness is emphasized in many of the traditional means of preparing food and doing other daily tasks. There are, however, some cultures that lend positive connotations to left-handedness, such as the Buddhist tradition that associates the left hand with wisdom.