What are the Truths about being Left-Handed?
Most individuals are right-handed, which means that their left brain is more dominant than the right. Language is also controlled by the left brain in right-handed people. Speaking and handwork require fine motor skills and usually the side of the brain that controls these two is the dominant one. Based on this theory, we can safely assume that lefties have a reversed brain division of labour.
Verbal processing takes place in the left hemisphere and the visuo-spatial processing is done in the right. Further, right-handed people have an organized division of labour. The left-handed individuals have a heterogeneous brain organization wherein both hemispheres may be used for verbal processing.
How handedness develops in humans has been a mystery, with only theories coming up to explain the reason.
- Genetic Factors: Although handedness has shown a complex inheritance pattern, there has been evidence of a 26% chance of a child being left-handed if both parents are. However, identifying a gene or set of genes that determines the laterality of the brain has not been possible.
- Vestibular Asymmetry during Prenatal Period: The position of the fetus in the third trimester and baby’s birth position can affect handedness.
- Lefties are Smarter: Left-handed people make up a disproportionately large part of the intelligent population. A possible theory is the use of both sides of the brain that helps in processing a large amount of information. The left hemisphere processes analytic and verbal style of thinking and the right one is associated with a holistic, creative style.
- See Better in Water: This fact is based on the findings of many studies, although the reason for the connection is not very clear. A possible explanation could be that lefties tend to process information based on visual stimuli.
- Better at Multitasking: The conversations between the left and right hemispheres seem to be processed faster in people who are left-handed and this ability has been found to increase with the increased dominance of the left hand. Lefties are able to easily deal with a large, unorganized stream of information.
- Lefties have Better Memories: Most of the left-handed people have better memories and are able to remember the exact dates of events, and sometimes, even the exact words that were spoken. Better memories have been observed in people who are right-handed but belong to a family that has many lefties.
- Better at Playing Video Games: Quick reflexes, dexterity and fine motor skills together contribute to their skill in killing zombies, playing virtual tennis or fighting off the monsters in the video games.
- Lefties have an Advantage in Interactive Sports: Most of the right-handed players practice against right-handed counterparts and when they face the lefties, they are not ready. This is advantageous for left-handed players who can overcome right-handed and left-handed players easily.
- Good at Art: Since left-handed people are inclined towards visual information than language-based, they tend to be more artistic and creative.
- Lefties Find it Easy to Learn Driving: Equipped with the ability to multitask, the lefties find that the changing of the gear, turning of the wheel and applying breaks, all at the same time to be an easy job. A poll at the driving school found that 57% left-handers passed their driving test first time as compared with 47% of their right-handed counterparts.
- Recovery from Stroke is Better in Left-Handed People: Lefties have been using both sides of the brain and this could be the reason that left-handed stroke survivors are able to recover faster than the right-handed survivors of stroke. Most lefties are able to use their non-dominant hand and this can also be the reason for the speedy recovery.
- Earn Better than Right-Handed People: Research reveals that left-handed males who have attended college earn 13% more than their right-handed counterparts. But among women, lefties earn 5% less than their right-handed peers.
On the flip side, lefties have some disadvantages too.
- Lefties are more worried about making mistakes, more sensitive to criticism and are easily embarrassed. However, this link may also be due to their being a minority in the right-handed society.
- Lefties are quick to anger. Some studies show that left-handed people showed an imbalance in processing emotions with their left and right hemispheres of their brain.
- Left-handed people have a higher risk of brain disorders like schizophrenia, dyslexia or hyperactivity disorders.