Inventories of Human Lateral Preference: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background There are a variety of inventories available to evaluate human lateral preference, but no previous review has systematically analyzed and compared them. Purpose We conducted a systematic literature review to identify these inventories and describe their characteristics (e.g., dimensions, scales, tasks, psychometric properties). Study sample We included 26 articles, each presenting a different inventory to assess lateral preference, published between 1900 and 2022, selected from the following databases: PubMed, SportDiscus, APA PsycNET, and Web of Science. Results These inventories analyzed tasks performed in everyday life (domestic, work-related, sports, and leisure/recreation activities), covering hand, foot, hearing, visual and other non-usual lateral preference dimensions, such as trunk and head. Most inventories classified individuals based on the direction (left, indifferent or right preference) and degree (consistent or moderate) of laterality. However, many of the reviewed inventories lack established psychometric verification in their original publication, such as validity, reliability, responsiveness, and practical applicability. Inventories also presented tasks that may be specific to a given cultural setting, limiting their application across different countries. Conclusions Based on these findings, we provide a comprehensive guide for researchers to select a lateral preference assessment tool, but also advocate for a new inventory with a broader approach, containing more than one dimension of lateral preference (i.e., not only handedness) and tasks that are common to different cultures to enhance practical applicability worldwide.