Cerebral asymmetry in word-object matching by appearance and by function

Subjects were asked to say whether a word presented monaurally to the right or left ear matched a presented object. Analysis of vocal response latencies indicated that words relating to the function of the object were responded to more quickly when presented to the left ear and, by inference, the right hemisphere. Words relating to a physical characteristic of the object (e.g. color) were responded to more quickly when presented to the right ear and, by inference, the left hemisphere.