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Handedness and Eye-dominance: A Meta-analysis of Their Relationship
Abstract
About one in ten people is left-handed and one in three is left-eyed. The extent of the association of handedness and eyedness is unclear, as some eyedness measures are potentially contaminated by measures of handedness. A meta-analysis of hand-eye concordance in 54,087 subjects from 54 populations, found that concordance was 2.69 x greater in questionnaire rather than performance studies, 1.95 x greater in studies using unimanual monocular performance measures, and 6.29 x greater in studies using non-sighting measures of eye-dominance. In the remaining studies, which seemed to show no evidence of bias, the odds-ratio for hand-eye concordance was 2.53 x; in a population with 9.25% left-handedness and 36.53% left-eyedness, 34.43% of right-handers and 57.14% of left-handers are left-eyed. This pattern of hand-eye association poses problems for genetic models of cerebral lateralisation, which must invoke pleiotropic alleles at a single locus or epistatic interactions between multiple loci. There was no evidence that the incidence of eyedness, or the association between eyedness and handedness, differed between the sexes.
... Four behavioural predictors are commonly used to determine functional laterality: footedness, handedness, earedness and eyedness [1]. Neuropsychology and motor behaviour studies indicates that laterality preferences in footedness, handedness, earedness and eyedness are interrelated [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Further, among the interrelation between the aforementioned laterality preferences, footedness and handedness show the strongest association [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. ...
... Neuropsychology and motor behaviour studies indicates that laterality preferences in footedness, handedness, earedness and eyedness are interrelated [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Further, among the interrelation between the aforementioned laterality preferences, footedness and handedness show the strongest association [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Previous research indicates that preferences in using hand or foot are associated with other brain asymmetries such as emotional perception, language organization and visuospatial skills [12][13][14]. ...
... Many studies have investigated footedness and the findings of these studies indicate that lateral preference should be assessed using multi-item inventories and not use a singleitem question (e.g., writing for handedness) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised (WFQ-R), is a multi-item, self-reported foot preference questionnaire originally . ...
Background and purpose: Evaluating footedness is of great importance to clinical and behavioral research. The purpose of the current study is to translate the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised (WFQ-R) to the Arabic language and investigate its psychometric properties.
Methods: Two independent forward translations were performed by two native Arabic speakers; and then synthesized into one version. The synthesized version was back translated into English by two independent bilingual translators. An expert committee was formed to review the translation and adaptation process. A final Arabic version of the WFQ-R was obtained. In order to test the internal consistency, reliability, and validity of the Arabic WFQ-R, adult Arabic speakers were recruited to participate in this study.
Results: For the cross-cultural adaptation, only one item was changed in order to express its conceptual meaning. Analysis showed an absence of floor and ceiling effect for the Arabic WFQ-R. Results of construct validity showed that all items of the translated WFQ-R have one dimension. For internal consistency of the Arabic WFQ-R, Cronbach alpha was excellent (0.93). ICC values showed excellent test-retest reliability (0.94). The Bland-Altman plot showed acceptable agreement between test and retest scores.
Conclusion: The Arabic WFQ-R is valid, reliable and ready for use among the Arabic speaking population for determining footedness.
... However, even large-scale genome-wide association studies find conflicting results on underlying genetic loci of handedness (Cuellar-Partida et al., 2020;Paracchini, 2021;Wiberg et al., 2019), thus suggesting that, studied by itself, handedness may not be an ideal phenotype to fully understand the lateralization process. In this direction, previous research has suggested that foot (Gabbard, 1993) and visual (Bourassa et al., 1996) preferences are more independent from social pressure, thus better accounting for corresponding behavioral counterparts of cerebral lateralization. Hence, determining if preference is consistent across different dimensions, and if preference in these dimensions is stable in different ages can be an initial step towards understanding the behavioral lateralization process from a broader perspective. ...
... These authors observed not perfect, but significant correlations between hand-eye, hand-foot, hand-ear, and eye-ear preferences varying between 0.6 > r < 0.73. Moreover, the meta-analysis by Bourassa et al. (1996) focused on the relationship between visual and hand preference, showing that ≅ 66% right-handers are right-eyed, while ≅ 57% left-handers are left-eyed. However, none of these investigations analyzed the correlations between dimensions in different ages. ...
This research investigated the developmental process of five lateral preference dimensions (hand, foot, trunk, hearing, and visual preference). A total of 1236 volunteers participated in this study, divided into five age groups: 07–12 (n = 247); 13–17 (n = 234); 18–30 (n = 227); 31–60 (n = 225); and 61–90 years old (n = 303). Lateral preference was assessed via questionnaire with the Global Lateral Preference Inventory. By assessing the degree and direction of lateral preference in different ages, our results revealed a pattern of lateralization strengthening with aging in all the analyzed dimensions. We also verified significant correlation between hand preference and the other dimensions for all age groups, but correlation was stronger in the 7–12 group for all correlation pairs. Our results lead to the suggestion of an underlying general lateralization process in early ages (7–12 years old) followed by specific developmental trajectories of each preference dimension (13 years forward), likely startled by hemisphere and functional specialization related to innate developmental patterns of neural structures and social/environmental influences.
... Just as humans have a preferred hand, they also have a preferred eye, and while the two are often on the same side, this is not always the case. Bourassa et al. (1996) found that while on average 10% of people are left-handed, 33% are left-eye dominant, with additional studies reporting similar and even higher levels of cross dominance (Puri & Sethi, 2017;Robison et al., 1995). Most instructors advise cross-dominant archers to choose a side and adapt either the hand or the eye, and because precision is so vital to success, most archers choose to adapt their hand (Axford, 1995;Laborde et al., 2009;Porac & Coren, 1981). ...
Objectives:
The Bell Beaker period witnessed the rise of individual inhumations with "wealthy" burial contexts containing archery-related grave goods, leading archaeologists to label the individuals in these tombs as "archers." This study looks to (1) compare the skeletons from male "archer" burials with those from male "non-archer" burials-those not having archery-related grave goods-in order to assess a possible link between burial context and physical activity, and (2) apply a biomechanics profile to evaluate whether the individuals associated with these "archer" burials practiced specialized archer activity.
Materials and methods:
The corpus (males only) included 46 "archers" and 40 "non-archers" from Bell Beaker individual inhumations. Osteological data included measurements, scores of entheseal changes, and a diagnosis of certain pathologies. Data analyses involved visual observations, hypothesis tests, dimension reduction, and MANOVA, with approaches aimed at exploring the treatment of data missingness.
Results:
Measurement data revealed no differences between the two groups. Evaluations of entheseal changes found that "non-archers" had consistently more instances of bone surface modifications than "archers." Individual assessments of specialized archer occupation identified 11 possible specialized archers.
Discussion:
These findings indicate a possible labor differentiation represented through the presence of a probably prestigious "archer" burial context. This suggests a link between grave good presence and labor, but not between a Bell Beaker archery occupation and an "archer" burial context. Data analyses support the application of biomechanics to osteological analyses in order to assess specialized activity on the skeleton.
... The laterality observed in the fine motor task could also be influenced by ocular dominance according to hand dominance. Previous studies have shown that the response of the occipital lobe complex is more contralateral to the dominant eye, and ocular dominance is associated with a cerebral basis [36,37]. Moreover, dominant eyes are typically aligned with dominant hands [38]. ...
The cerebellum plays a vital role in cognition, communication with the cerebral cortex, and fine motor coordination. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a portable, less restrictive, and noninvasive functional brain imaging method that can capture brain activity during movements by measuring the relative oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the blood. However, the feasibility of using NIRS to measure cerebellar activity requires discussion. We compared NIRS responses between areas assumed to be the cerebellum and the occipital lobe during a fine motor task (tying a bow knot) and a visual task. Our results showed that the oxy-Hb concentration increased more in the occipital lobe than in the cerebellum during the visual task (p = .034). In contrast, during the fine motor task, the oxy-Hb concentration decreased in the occipital lobe but increased significantly in the cerebellum, indicating a notable difference (p = .015). These findings suggest that we successfully captured cerebellar activity associated with processing, particularly fine motor coordination. Moreover, the observed responses did not differ between individuals with autism spectrum disorder and those with typical development. Our study demonstrates the meaningful utility of NIRS as a method for measuring cerebellar activity during movements.
... Considering the cases of boxers having cross-hand-eye dominance, it was observed that 20% (n = 16) had cross-hand-eye dominance. In the studies of Bourassa et al. (1996); Eyre & Schmeeckle (1933) and Orton (1925), this rate was found to be 20. The current study is comparable in this aspect. ...
This study aims to explore any possible relationships between rhythm sense levels and hand preference, eye dominance, hearing durations, and sports ages of elite amateur boxers who continue their active sports lives. 80 healthy male elite amateur boxers between the ages of 17 and 35 participated in the study. Their rhythm sense levels, hand preferences, eye dominance, and hearing durations were determined. Data were analyzed through the chi-square test for discovering potential connections among the variables. Findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between left-handed and right-handed boxers in terms of rhythm sense levels (χ2 = 14.435, p = 0.002), between rhythm sense levels and sports ages (χ2 = 9.317, p = 0.025) and rhythm sense levels and hearing durations (χ2 = 12.971, p = 0.044). However, no significant relationship was detected between rhythm sense levels and eye dominance (χ2 = 943, p = 0.815). Elite amateur boxers with different hand preferences may differ in their rhythm sense levels and lengthened regular boxing training can improve the level of rhythm sense.
... 16-26 yaş aralığında 179 gönüllü birey üzerinde yapılan bir çalışma sonucunda el tercihi ile dominant göz arasında çapraz bir ilişki bulunmuştur (Gündoğan vd., 2007). Ancak bu çalışmadaki çapraz ilişkiye zıt olan başka bir meta-analiz çalışmasında sağ elini kullananların %65'inde sağ gözün, sol elini kullananların %57'sinde sol gözün dominant olduğu belirlenmiştir (Bourassa, 1996). Literatürde var olan bu bilgiler göstermektedir ki el tercihi -göz dominantlığı arasındaki ilişki hala netliğe kavuşmamıştır. ...
Amaç: Dominantlık durumunun genetik ve çevresel faktörler arasındaki çok yönlü etkileşimle ortaya çıktığı düşünülmektedir. Motor öğrenme ise hareket yeteneğinde tecrübe veya pratikle oluşan kalıcı değişimleri içeren bir süreci ifade eder. El, ayak ve göz dominantlık durumun motor öğrenme ile olan ilişkisi hakkında net bir bilgi mevcut olmadığı bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sağlıklı gençlerde el göz ve ayak dominantlığı ile motor öğrenme becerisi arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Materyal ve Metot: Çalışmamıza 107 sağlıklı genç birey dahil edildi. Bireylerin el dominantlığı Edinburg el tercih anketi ile, ayak dominantlığı yenilenmiş Waterloo ayak tercihi anketi ile, göz dominantlığı Miles ve Ports lateralizasyon testi ile, motor öğrenme becerisi ise iz sürme testi ile değerlendirildi. Çalışmadan elde edilen el, ayak ve göz dominantlıkları arasındaki ilişki geriye doğru seçim yöntemi kullanılarak logaritmik doğrusal modelle araştırıldı. İz sürme testinden elde edilen skorlarının normal dağılım gösterip göstermediği Shapiro-Wilks testi ile araştırılarak ve normal dağılım göstermediği sonucuna varıldı (p
... For example, Ossandon et al. 88 reported a clear leftward bias in image visual exploration. Given the proportion of right eye dominance participants in a random population (66% according to 6 ; see also 89 ) and the contralateral visual bias observed here, Ossandon et al. 's results could, at least in part, be explained by the eye dominance of participants. Saccade trajectory is also often studied as a proxy to evaluate different cognitive processes (e.g. ...
The functional consequences of the visual system lateralization referred to as “eye dominance” remain poorly understood. We previously reported shorter hand reaction times for targets appearing in the contralateral visual hemifield with respect to the dominant eye (DE). Here, we further explore this contralateral bias by studying the influence of laterally placed visual distractors on vertical saccade trajectories, a sensitive method to assess visual processing. In binocular conditions, saccade trajectory curvature was larger toward a distractor placed in the contralateral hemifield with respect to the DE (e.g., in the left visual hemifield for a participant with a right dominant eye) than toward one presented in the ipsilateral hemifield (in the right visual hemifield in our example). When two distractors were present at the same time, the vertical saccade showed curvature toward the contralateral side. In monocular conditions, when one distractor was presented, a similar larger influence of the contralateral distractor was observed only when the viewing eye was the DE. When the non dominant eye (NDE) was viewing, curvature was symmetric for both distractor sides. Interestingly, this curvature was as large as the one obtained for the contralateral distractor when the DE was viewing, suggesting that eye dominance consequences rely on inhibition mechanisms present when the DE is viewing. Overall, these results demonstrate that DE influences visual integration occurring around saccade production and support a DE-based contralateral visual bias.
... Eye sighting dominance represents the behavioural preference for one eye over the other under monocular viewing conditions (analogous to hand dominance), and has been associated with activation patterns of attentional systems (Roth et al., 2002). It has a population bias like handedness with the majority of people being right eye dominant, i.e., 65% (Porac et al., 1976) albeit less pronounced (Bourassa et al., 1996). ...
Dominance of the left hemisphere for language processing is a prominent feature of brain organisation. Whereas structural models clarify the functional asymmetry due to direct access to local language circuits, dynamic models propose functional states of intrahemispheric activation and interhemispheric inhibition that are coupled with attentional processes. Real word settings often require modulations of lateralised neural processing and further express individual heterogeneity. In this research, we tested left- and right-handers, and used a behavioural paradigm with presentation of lateralised cue-target pairs to the same or opposite visual field. We observed that handedness distinctly affected word processing in the left hemisphere following contralateral cueing. Moreover, left-hemispheric dominance strengthened for right-handers vs. abolished for left-handers, influencing behavioural efficiency. In combination with eye dominance recordings, these data suggest that attentional biases guided the processing strategies of both groups and in turn their achievements. Therefore, hand and eye dominance are both essential factors with a functional role in directing the communication of visual information between both hemispheres. Overall, the findings underline the importance of interacting hand-eye control systems in contributing to interhemispheric patterns in the context of language processing.
Since constructing the basic Handedness Profile 2003 in my doctoral thesis, hundreds of therapists have been trained to administer, score, analyse and interpret the Handedness Profile. These training courses always include a comprehensive section on theory and research to contextualise and substantiate the structure and procedure of the assessment for the administrators. I also offer long-term coaching to therapists with difficult handedness cases. This has enabled me to remain in touch with clinical practice and continue to collect data using the Handedness Profile. The feedback from practitioners has been largely positive, as can be seen in the above quotes. In most cases, the multidimensional and differentiated results allow practitioners to understand variable hand use and make appropriate clinical decisions regarding intervention.
Because reading/writing is a fundamental tool for children's development, the main failure in its learning-developmental dyslexia-gives rise to many attempts to remediate. A recent remedy proposed by Mather (2022), published in Perceptual and Motor Skills [129(3), p. 468], is impressive through its radical nature and the extent of its consequences. It consists of delaying the teaching of writing to the age of 7-8 years, whereas, at present, most children in Western or comparable cultures learn to write even before compulsory school (generally at age six). In this article, I present a set of arguments whose addition and possible interaction lead, if not to reject, at least to restrict Mather's proposal. My arguments show both the inefficiency of Mather's proposal through two observational studies, its practical inapplicability in contemporary society, the importance of learning to write at least in the first year of elementary school, and the stinging past failure of a math reform of similar scope (i.e., learning to count). I also question the neurological theory underlying Mather's proposal, and, finally, I point out that, even if delaying learning to write were limited to students who Mather expects (at age six) to experience future dyslexia, this remedy would be inapplicable and probably ineffective.
This book arrays recent research on the neural and behavioral lateralization of the brain relying heavily on animal modes. The authors employ the comparative method to enhance our understanding of behavior, specifically through hand use and "handedness" by drawing comparisons with studies involving primates. Topics discussed include Patterns of Lateralized Behavior in Prosimians; Behavioral Lateralization in Language-Trained Chimpanzees; Patterns of Handedness: Comparative Study of Nursery School Children and Captive Gorillas; and Rotational Behavior in Children and Adults. It is the first book of its kind devoted entirely to the question of behavioral asymmetries in all primates and thus presents a milestone as it recognizes the accumulating evidence of asymmetry and lateralized behavior in the non-human nervous system.
Lateral preferences are strange, puzzling, and on the surface, not particularly adaptive aspects of behavior. Why one chooses habitually to write or to brush the teeth with the right hand, while a friend or family member habitually uses the left hand, might be interesting enough to elicit some conversation over dinner or a drink, but certainly does not seem to warrant serious scientific study. Yet when one looks at human behaviors more carefully, one becomes aware that asymmet rical behaviors favoring one side or the other are actually a fairly universal characteristic of human beings. In the same way that we are right or left handed, we are also right or left footed, eyed, and eared. As a species, we are quite lopsided in our behavioral coordinations; furthermore, the vast majority of us are right sided. Considering that we are looking at a sizable number of behaviors, and at a set of biases that seem to be systematic and show a predictable skew in the popUlation, the problem takes on greater significance. The most obvious form of lateral preference is, of course, handedness. When studying behavioral asymmetries, this is the issue with which most investigators start. Actually, we entered this research area through a much different route. Around 1971 we became interested in the problem of eye dominance or eye preference. This is a behavior where the input to one eye seems to be preferred over that to the other in certain binocular viewing situations.
The role which the dominant eye plays in ocular functions is as yet not fully determined. Although it has been recognized as being present, ophthalmologists have been indifferent as to its importance and the part it plays in maintaining normally coordinating eyes. The dominant eye may be defined as that eye which performs the major function of seeing, being assisted by the less dominant fellow eye. To state it differently, the two eyes do not affect the visual consciousness with equal force. One eye leads the other, and this leading eye is called the dominant eye. Just as the two hands are unequal in response, both from a motor and from a sensory standpoint, so are the eyes. Just as a person may be right handed or left handed, so he may be right eyed or left eyed.
Ocular dominance has not been found mentioned earlier than 1593, in Giovanni
• Two hundred schizophrenics were compared to 200 normal controls on a measure of laterality that included handedness, footedness, and eye dominance scales. Schizophrenics showed more left-sidedness on the laterality score. The established relationship between motoric and cognitive aspects of functional brain asymmetry, found in neurological and normal populations, suggests that the leftward tendency of schizophrenics may be manifested in cognitive and conative functions as well. These results seem to corroborate previous findings indicating that schizophrenia might be related to left hemisphere dysfunction. No relationship was found between handedness and eye dominance either in the schizophrenic or the normal groups. This finding questions the assumption that eyedness-handedness nonconcordance is a pathological sign.
: Multivariate techniques were used to explore the relationship between ocular dominance and asymmetries in visual acuity or acuity dominance. The convergence distance under which the acuity testing takes place was found to affect the relationship between these two variables.