The role of handedness in graphic production: Interactions between biomechanical and cognitive factors in drawing development

Abstract

In this study, the interaction of biomechanical and cognitive factors in drawing development was explored. Children (4-to 6-year-olds) and adults copied four shapes (two familiar and two novel) six times alternating between their dominant and nondominant hands (starting hand was counterbalanced). Similarity in the production sequences within and across hands was compared. The results suggest that production sequences are influenced by specific motor experiences yet highlight the importance of cognitive constraints on the drawing process.

Left‐ and right‐handed children's drawing performance: Is there any difference?

“…As has been claimed, directionality is partly related to handedness, but it cannot safely be considered as a determinant factor for differentiating left-and right-handers (Karev, 1999). Braswell and Rosengren (2002) supported the view that the extent to which biomechanical or cognitive constraints influence the manner in which figures are being produced is mainly determined by the shape being drawn. More specifically, they argued that cognitive factors may in fact dominate the production of simple figures.…”

“…Further evidence that the age of the participants plays a crucial role in determining the effect of hand preference comes from a recent study that examined children's and adults' ability in copying four shapes using both their right and left hands (Braswell & Rosengren, 2002). The above researchers suggest that during childhood, when children learn how to plan to produce shapes, cognitive constraints play a more important role in the drawing process.…”

“…Drawing is a complex activity and many factors mediate the process, so that there is no direct relationship between mental and graphic representations (Braswell & Rosengren, 2002; van Sommers, 1984). A number of researchers have identified certain cognitive components of the drawing process (Case & Ogamoto, 1996;Kosslyn & Koenig, 1992; van Sommers, 1989).…”

Asymmetries in representational drawing: Alternatives to a laterality account

“…By contrast, the biomechanical/chiral view would predict that right and left handers should show equally strong but opposite directionality effects, reflecting the different neuromuscular factors underlying graphic production depending on hand used. Furthermore, whereas the variable of handedness (or preferred hand) is emphasized in the laterality account, the biomechanical account emphasizes hand used, regardless of hand dominance, as the variable of interest (e.g., Braswell & Rosengren, 2002).…”

Task constraints on preschool children's grip configurations during drawing

“…For example, Freeman (1977) has described the compositional strategies young children use to plan the construction of human figures. Others have outlined typical sequences of strokes used to create basic geometric shapes (Braswell & Rosengren, 2000, 2002Gesell & Ames, 1946;Goodnow & Levine, 1973) showing that young children often use different sequences than adults in producing simple shapes. These accounts highlight differences in how children and adults produce drawings.…”