Differences between left- and right-handers in approach/avoidance motivation: influence of consistency of handedness measures

Abstract

Hand preference is often viewed as a troublesome variable in psychological research, with left-handers routinely excluded from studies. Contrary to this, a body of evidence has shown hand preference to be a useful variable when examining human behavior. A recent review argues that the most effective way of using handedness as a variable, is a comparison between individuals who use their dominant hand for virtually all manual activities (consistent handers) versus those who use their other hand for at least one activity (inconsistent handers). The authors contend that researchers should only focus on degree of handedness rather than direction of preference (left versus right). However, we argue that the field suffers from a number of methodological and empirical issues. These include a lack of consensus in choice of cut-off point to divide consistent and inconsistent categories and importantly a paucity of data from left-handers. Consequentially, researchers predominantly compare inconsistent versus consistent right-handers, largely linked to memory, cognition and language. Other research on response style and personality measures shows robust direction of handedness effects. The present study examines both strength and direction of handedness on self-reported behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) scores, using evidence from a large (N = 689) dataset including more than 200 left-handers. There were degree of handedness effects on BIS and BAS-Fun Seeking, but effects are largely driven by differences between consistent left-handers and other groups. Choice of cut-off point substantively influenced results, and suggests that unless a suitable sample of left-handers is included, researchers clarify that their degree of handedness effects are applicable only to right-handers. We concur that strength of hand preference is an important variable but caution that differences related to consistency may not be identical in right and left-handers.

Handedness and behavioural inhibition system/behavioural activation system (BIS/BAS) scores: A replication and extension of Wright, Hardie, and Wilson (2009)

“…higher state anxiety). The findings of their study (Wright & Hardie, 2012; see also Hardie & Wright, 2014) were consistent with this hypothesis; there were no handedness differences in relation to trait anxiety. Adding to the rationale given by Wright and Hardie, the BIS is more proximately related to the core neuropsychology of anxiety, as opposed to measures of "anxiety" which usually include mixed variance relating to fear, depression and general dysphoria (Corr, DeYoung & McNaughton, 2013).…”

“…Thus, the findings appear robust as to assessment instrument and provide a solid basis for further research. At the very least, our results, together with those of Wright et al (2009) and Hardie and Wright (2014),…”

“…Accordingly, we decided to attempt to replicate the finding of a handedness difference using a specific measure of the BIS. Based on the studies of Wright et al (2012) and Hardie and Wright (2014) our prediction was that left-handers would have higher BIS scores than right-handers. We did not expect any handedness effects on BAS scores.…”

“…In this sense, ours is a conceptual replication and the results suggest that the relationship between handedness and the BIS is not related to the specific handedness measure used. Different questionnaires were used by Wright et al (2009), Hardie and Wright (2014) and ourselves. Thus, the findings appear robust as to assessment instrument and provide a solid basis for further research.…”

Innovative mechatronic system for testing laterality

“…As general population is right-handed, imbalances between the two hemispheres of the brain are widening and some activities controlled by nerve centers of a hemisphere can be performed more slowly or cannot be performed simultaneously with other activities [21]. The complexity of everyday life requires the softening of these imbalances and therefore such a test is appropriate only if followed by an individualized training program.…”