2014/01/21 by Michael C. Corballis · 2 citations
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience #Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism #Reading and Literacy Development
paper · pdf · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001767
openalex publication_date 2014/01/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Handedness and brain asymmetry are widely regarded as unique to humans, and associated with complementary functions such as a left-brain specialization for language and logic and a right-brain specialization for creativity and intuition. In fact, asymmetries are widespread among animals, and support the gradual evolution of asymmetrical functions such as language and tool use. Handedness and brain asymmetry are inborn and under partial genetic control, although the gene or genes responsible are not well established. Cognitive and emotional difficulties are sometimes associated with departures from the "norm" of right-handedness and left-brain language dominance, more often with the absence of these asymmetries than their reversal.