Torque and Cerebral Lateralization: A Questionable Link

Abstract

Past research has suggested that torque (the tendency to draw circles in a clockwise direction) may be indicative of less cerebral lateralization. This notion is based on the finding that left-handers demonstrate a greater incidence of torque than right-handers. The present study attempted to investigate this relationship using both conjugate lateral eye movements (CLEM) and handedness as indices of cerebral lateralization. Subjects were 40 male and 40 female right-handed and 16 male and 16 female nonright-handed university students. Consistent with past studies, torque was significantly related to handedness, with nonright-handers demonstrating a greater incidence of torque. However, no relationship between torque and CLEM was found. On the basis of these findings, it is argued that the observed relationship between torque and handedness may be due more to muscle mechanics of the hands rather than any relationship with cerebral lateralization.

Key Words:

• torque
• cerebral lateralization