Premium
THE DISTRIBUTION OF MANUAL ASYMMETRY
Author(s) -
ANNETT MARIAN
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1972.tb01282.x
Subject(s) - asymmetry , psychology , distribution (mathematics) , accidental , mathematics , mathematical analysis , physics , quantum mechanics , acoustics
Four different descriptions of lateral asymmetry are reviewed and their probable interrelations examined. Two main features are distinguished: first, a normal distribution of relative efficiency of the two sides which probably applies to all species subject to lateral differences; second, a factor specific to humans which induces a shift of the normal distribution toward dextrality. A brief discussion of the origins of asymmetry leads to the conclusion that the basic normal distribution probably depends on accidental variation while the human shift to the right may be a product of both cultural and genetic influences. The latter could imply that human right handedness is inherited while left handedness is not.