<p>This might not answer the question well enough to count as a good answer, but if you're interested in handedness in general, I highly recommend Stanley Coren's well-written and well-researched "<a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/0679744681" rel="nofollow">The Left-Hander Syndrome</a>."</p>

<p>If I recall correctly, the book doesn't address multitasking specifically, but it does address many issues associated with handedness, including lateralization of language and identity, development of mood disorders, and behavioral differences (especially risk of injury) between left- and right-handers. You might get some good pointers by reading the references.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-14T17:44:26.297Z
2013-08-14T17:44:26.297Z
lmjohns3
<p>I'm strongly 'one-handed' in that I can barely even write with my left hand. My wife is fairly ambidextrous, in that she's by default left-handed, but can also write with her right hand. </p>

<p>I've noticed that she's capable of driving in the dark with full, stressful concentration and still be able to talk. Whereas I'd have trouble driving in the dark and holding a conversation at the same time.</p>

<p>I've heard that this is because one handed people have developed a side of the brain more strongly than the other, whereas ambidextrous people have developed both. Anything that implies that ambidexterity is a disadvantage for multitasking would also be helpful.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-29T10:43:25.143Z
Where have you heard this? Did you look for additional information yourself prior to posting this? What did you find? What do you interpret to be a more 'developed' brain?
Steven Jeuris
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-30T10:11:44.593Z
Multitasking is about making multiple things that require attention at the same time. Being ambidextrous is about being able to write with both hands (and not being able to write with both hands at the same time). So I don't see any relation. As an example, I am not ambidextrous, but for some things I am left handed (writing, eating, tooth brushing...) and others right handed (sports, using mouse...). And that didn't help me at all to multitask: I can barely talk and drive in complex situations at the same time.
Benjamin Crouzier
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-30T16:17:14.767Z
Here is some information on this http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/01/brain.aspx
Caesar
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-31T04:41:51.670Z
@StevenJeuris: Tried to look for some 'citeable' sources, but couldn't find a solid one yet. There's the common knowledge assumption that handedness is used to divide labor, but even Wikipedia doesn't cite this well (among humans). There's research that correlates handedness with brain development, but most are quite narrow in scope, like specific towards language or IQ. Made the assumption that if one dominant hand meant the opposite brain half was well developed, both dominant hands meant both sides were well developed.
Muz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-31T05:02:37.203Z
I actually remember reading about deficits in ambidextrous people.   Try searching for that.  If I have time and remember, ill look into it next time I'm at a computer.
Keegan Keplinger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-31T05:11:32.703Z
Looks like  that idea has been challenged: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028393208000675
Keegan Keplinger
<cognitive-neuroscience><concentration>
Are ambidextrous people better at multitasking?
Muz
# Are ambidextrous people better at multitasking?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-01-29)

I'm strongly 'one-handed' in that I can barely even write with my left hand. My wife is fairly ambidextrous, in that she's by default left-handed, but can also write with her right hand.

I've noticed that she's capable of driving in the dark with full, stressful concentration and still be able to talk. Whereas I'd have trouble driving in the dark and holding a conversation at the same time.

I've heard that this is because one handed people have developed a side of the brain more strongly than the other, whereas ambidextrous people have developed both. Anything that implies that ambidexterity is a disadvantage for multitasking would also be helpful.

**Tags:** cognitive-neuroscience, concentration

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Where have you heard this? Did you look for additional information yourself prior to posting this? What did you find? What do you interpret to be a more 'developed' brain?  
> **username_2**: Multitasking is about making multiple things that require attention at the same time. Being ambidextrous is about being able to write with both hands (and not being able to write with both hands at the same time). So I don't see any relation. As an example, I am not ambidextrous, but for some things I am left handed (writing, eating, tooth brushing...) and others right handed (sports, using mouse...). And that didn't help me at all to multitask: I can barely talk and drive in complex situations at the same time.  
> **username_3**: Here is some information on this http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/01/brain.aspx  
> **username_0**: @StevenJeuris: Tried to look for some 'citeable' sources, but couldn't find a solid one yet. There's the common knowledge assumption that handedness is used to divide labor, but even Wikipedia doesn't cite this well (among humans). There's research that correlates handedness with brain development, but most are quite narrow in scope, like specific towards language or IQ. Made the assumption that if one dominant hand meant the opposite brain half was well developed, both dominant hands meant both sides were well developed.  
> **username_4**: I actually remember reading about deficits in ambidextrous people.   Try searching for that.  If I have time and remember, ill look into it next time I'm at a computer.  
> **username_4**: Looks like  that idea has been challenged: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028393208000675  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2013-08-14. Score: 1

This might not answer the question well enough to count as a good answer, but if you're interested in handedness in general, I highly recommend Stanley Coren's well-written and well-researched "[The Left-Hander Syndrome](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/0679744681)."

If I recall correctly, the book doesn't address multitasking specifically, but it does address many issues associated with handedness, including lateralization of language and identity, development of mood disorders, and behavioral differences (especially risk of injury) between left- and right-handers. You might get some good pointers by reading the references.


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