In the modern world, people who use their left hand for basic actions are common. It is worth noting that even less than a century ago they were much smaller. How to explain what is happening? The fact is that the number of left-handed people has not increased, it was just that before such people were forced to “retrain” even in childhood. It was believed that such a rare feature is unacceptable to society. In addition, many parents associated “left-handedness” with problems in education (they did not teach in time to use the “correct” upper limb). At the moment, the opinion about this has changed significantly. Today it is known that eating food or writing with your left hand is normal. So consider not only most parents, but also doctors.
Why do some people write with their right hand and others with their left?
At first glance, people who often use the left upper limb are exactly the same as the “right-handed” population. However, this is not quite true. How are lefties different from righties and why? The answer to this question appeared not so long ago, since neurologists took up the study of this phenomenon. Before you understand what the difference is, you need to find out the reason why some people use their right hand more often and others use their left. The factors include:
- Genetic predisposition. The main reason for "left-handedness" is the predominance of the right hemisphere of the brain. This does not mean at all that only part of the central nervous system works in a person. However, the right side is considered more developed. This feature is inherited.
- Hormonal theory. Some scientists believe that the increased effect of testosterone on the body of a pregnant woman and fetus leads to the birth of left-handed people.
- Injuries to the right hand. Sometimes, a person becomes left-handed, not because the right cerebral hemisphere predominates, but as a result of prolonged wearing of gypsum, muscle wasting, paralysis.
- "Copying" the actions of others. This reason applies to children. Often a child begins to use his left hand, looking at how parents or other relatives write or eat (friends in preschool, grandmother, nanny).
In some cases, the abnormal formation of brain activity is associated with injuries and a lack of oxygen in late pregnancy. Moreover, in addition to “left-handedness”, serious violations are formed. These include: developmental delay, speech, mental retardation, etc.
The relationship of "left-handedness" with the brain
So how is a left-handed person different from a right-handed person? In fact, there is no pronounced difference. If a person uses his left hand more often, this does not mean that he has deviations. Also, this feature does not affect mental and physical abilities. The only difference is the predominance of the right cerebral hemisphere, which is responsible for creative activity.
In some cases, a person copes equally with the usual (everyday) actions with both hands. Nevertheless, in the learning process, the use of the right, and less often, the left upper limb begins to prevail. In such people, the cerebral hemispheres work the same way.
How to distinguish between left-handed and right-handed?
How are left-handed children different from right-handed people, and how to detect this feature in a child? At an early age, it is difficult to understand which hemisphere of the brain prevails. Often, children use both hands. The first differences between left-handed people and right-handed people are found by about 2-3 years, when the kids begin to eat and draw on their own. However, this is not a reliable indicator. Indeed, in addition to the hand, the left eye and ear should dominate. There are several ways to find out which hemisphere is leading. Among them:
- Offer the subject to cross their arms into the castle. It is necessary to evaluate the location of the fingers. In most cases, the right one is located above (outside). For lefties, the result will be the opposite.
- Test with a clock. The child is given an alarm clock, which he must hold with both hands. After that, the subject is asked to listen to the ticking of the clock. Pay attention to which ear the child brings the alarm clock. This side will be leading.
- Test to determine the "prevailing" eye. A man is given a rolled sheet of paper in his hands and asked to look through it. You should pay attention to which eye the subject will bring the “spyglass”.
All of these tests are carried out for children over 5 years of age, as well as adults. In some cases, the “leading” ear and eye may be left, and the hand may be right. This result indicates that the child was retrained, or about the same development of both hemispheres of the brain.
How lefties are different from righties: a difference in behavior
The behavior of “left-handed” people is not significantly different from those who use the right upper limb more actively. It is especially difficult to notice the differences in adulthood. Indeed, many factors influence human behavior: the features of upbringing, life experience, etc. So, how are left-handed people different from right-handed people? Features of behavior are easier to identify in children. A left-handed child is considered primarily a creative person, prefers to draw, independently invents games and characters. At school, such children are more likely to study the humanities.
The difference between left-handed and right-handed: personality psychology
Scientists have conducted various studies many times to identify the difference in psychology between left-handed and right-handed people. In addition to creative abilities, the predominance of one of the hemispheres affects mental and emotional reactions. In addition, it is believed that lefties have a more developed ability to express their thoughts, that is, oratory. It is believed that people in whom the right cerebral hemisphere predominates have a tendency to isolation (introversion), aggressiveness and asthenicity. Despite this, left-handed people differ in non-standard thinking. Among them - a large number of scientists, artists and musicians.
What if the child is left-handed?
How do left-handed people differ from right-handed people, and what if the child often uses the “wrong” hand? More recently, it was believed that a similar feature should be fought. However, this opinion is erroneous. After all, if you force the baby to do everything with his right hand, this will not change his brain activity. In addition, retraining can lead to psychological problems. The child begins to be ashamed of his natural features, consider himself not like everyone else. Another negative consequence of retraining is the formation of poor handwriting. Therefore, a left-handed child should not be forced to write and eat with his right hand, if he is so uncomfortable. On the contrary, it should be suggested to the baby that his feature is completely normal.
Special left-handed pens
To help lefties, special school supplies were invented. After all, it is not very convenient for such children to use familiar objects. What is the difference between pens for left-handed and right-handed people, as well as other office supplies? Among the objects created to facilitate the work, there are special sharpeners with a counterclockwise blade, scissors, surgical instruments, etc. Handles differ in that they have special recesses for the fingers of the left hand. In some stores you can even find rulers with a reverse numbering.
World famous lefties
How do left-handed people differ from right-handed people, and what examples are found in history? Everyone knows such names as Albert Einstein, Leonardo to Vinci, Isaac Newton, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, etc. However, not everyone knows that these people were distinguished not only by their talent, but also by “left-handedness”. Among contemporaries, one can distinguish millionaires Henry Ford, Bill Gates, musician Paul McCartney, actors - Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, Whoopi Goldberg, etc.