Foot-Preference Behavior: A Developmental Perspective

Abstract

The developmental course of foot-preference behavior was examined in participants spanning early childhood to young adulthood. Results indicated significant age-group differences, with no effect for gender. Evidence suggests that footedness adheres to some variant developmental features characterized primarily by a significant shift toward greater right-footedness between 8 and 11 years, after which preferences remain relatively stable. Complementing this shift is a substantial decrease in mixed-footedness across the same time line. Of the existing models of hemispheric specialization, Annett's (1978, 1985) right-shift hypothesis, which considers cultural and environmental effects, provides a partial explanation for the findings. Hand-preference data were also collected and are contrasted with foot-preference data.