Rotational and Turning Tendencies in Humans: An Analog of Lateral Biases in Rats?

Abstract

Left-and right-handed human males and females were tested in an experimental analog of free-field observational studies which had demonstrated rotation (turning) biases in both rats and humans. When required to rotate through exactly twice 360° clockwise (rightwards) or anticlockwise (leftwards) with reduced sensory input, dextrals, especially females, showed a rightwards bias and sinistrals a leftwards tendency. When attempting, blindfolded, to walk in a straight line, all four groups of subjects deviated to the right, though the effect was again slightly, and nonsignificantly, larger for females and dextrals. These lateral biases may relate to dopamine asymmetries in the basal gangalia.

Key Words:

• laterality
• turning biases
• rotation
• dopamine