Laterality

Laterality is the preference most humans show for one side of their body over the other. It is an indication of the distribution of brain function. Examples include hand dominance, eye dominance, dominant foot, ear dominance, and hemispheric dominance (left/right brain dominance).

Overview

Laterality comes from the Latin word latus which means "side". It is a preference that most humans and animals show for one side of their body over the other. These preferences can be seen in a variety of activities and are often first noticed in early childhood.

Hand Dominance

Hand dominance is the most commonly studied aspect of laterality. It is estimated that 90% of people are right-handed. The preference for one hand over the other is thought to be related to the division of labor between the two hemispheres of the brain.

Eye Dominance

Eye dominance is another aspect of laterality. It refers to the tendency to prefer visual input from one eye over the other. It is less well-studied than hand dominance, but it is thought to be related to the same underlying brain structures.

Dominant Foot

The dominant foot is the foot that is most often used for tasks that require balance and precision, such as kicking a ball or stepping onto a stair. Like hand and eye dominance, foot dominance is thought to reflect the lateralization of brain function.

Ear Dominance

Ear dominance refers to the preference for hearing input from one ear over the other. It is less commonly studied than other forms of laterality, but it is thought to be related to the same underlying brain structures.

Hemispheric Dominance

Hemispheric dominance, also known as left/right brain dominance, refers to the distribution of mental functions in the brain. For most people, language processing is located in the left hemisphere, while spatial abilities are located in the right hemisphere. However, this distribution can vary among individuals.

See Also

• Brain lateralization
• Handedness
• Ambidexterity

Laterality Resources
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