Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2005):

Dual-task interference in right- and left-handers: typical laterality patterns are obtained despite reversal of baseline asymmetries.

Full Abstract

Lateralized interference between concurrent cognitive and manual activities is used to infer cerebral hemisphere specialization for the cognitive activity. However, some evidence indicates that lateralized interference depends largely on manual asymmetry in the single-task (baseline) condition. To test the competing explanations, we asked 40 right-handed (RH) and 40 left-handed (LH) adults to key press and calculate concurrently. Baseline manual asymmetries were manipulated by increasing the complexity of the task performed by the dominant hand. Nevertheless, in the dual-task conditions, RHs showed more overall interference when performing with the right hand and LHs showed a nonsignificant tendency in the opposite direction. The results indicate that differential interference patterns, similar to those previously reported for right- and left-handers, may be obtained even when the usual baseline manual asymmetries are reversed.

Author information

Author/s: Caroselli, Jerome S (JS); Hiscock, Merrill (M); Bullock, Ryan (R);

Affiliation: Psychology Department, The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, TX 77030, USA. carosj(-atsign-)tirr.tmc.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior (Cortex), published in Italy. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jan; vol 42 (issue 1) : pp 57-68

Dates: Created 2006/03/02; Completed 2006/05/03; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16509109, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Analysis of Variance Attention - physiology Discrimination (Psychology) Female Field Dependence-Independence Fingers Functional Laterality - physiology

Humans Male Mathematics Motor Skills - physiology Perceptual Masking - physiology Problem Solving - physiology Reference Values

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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