Hand and foot preference in two cultures

ABSTRACT

Adult participants from India and France were requested to respond to hand and foot preference questionnaires. The items of the questionnaires assessed the choice of the preferred hand and foot on a scale that ranged from extreme left preference through no preference to extreme right preference. Results showed that both groups were more right lateralized for hand actions, whereas foot preferences were less right lateralized and spread across extreme right preference to no preference on the laterality index continuum for men and women. As compared to requiring large numbers for consistency in hand preferences across geographical regions, trends in the lateralization of hand and foot preferences may be consistently obtained with smaller samples. The study reveals the existing difference in lateral preferences between the upper and lower limbs that is sustained regardless of culture or geographical location and indicates the need for further investigation to know why the lower limbs are less lateralized than the upper limbs.     

Aspects of foot preference: Differential relationships of skilled and unskilled foot movements with motor asymmetry

In this research different aspects of foot preference were examined in 50 participants. The relationship between foot preference, hand preference, and hand/foot-tapping performance was analysed in detail. For foot preference, a practical behavioural test consisting of 14 daily foot movements was developed. After statistical analysis, five items were dropped. The test–retest reliabilities of the nine-item foot preference test and the foot-tapping task were found to be high. The factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure (skilled and unskilled foot movements). Foot preference in skilled and unskilled movements was correlated with hand preference and foot/hand-tapping speed. This correlation was found to be higher in skilled movements than in unskilled movements. Additionally, foot preference for skilled movements was strongly lateralised. The results indicate that the motor control of fine movements is similar for upper and lower limbs. The fact of lateralisation indicates that skilled and unskilled foot movements utilise different pathways. We propose that the asymmetrical lateral (corticospinal) pathway controls skilled movements while the medial pathways control unskilled movements. We therefore suggest that both skilled and unskilled foot tasks should be evaluated separately in order to assess foot preference.     

Aspects of foot preference: differential relationships of skilled and unskilled foot movements with motor asymmetry

In this research different aspects of foot preference were examined in 50 participants. The relationship between foot preference, hand preference, and hand/foot-tapping performance was analysed in detail. For foot preference, a practical behavioural test consisting of 14 daily foot movements was developed. After statistical analysis, five items were dropped. The test-retest reliabilities of the nine-item foot preference test and the foot-tapping task were found to be high. The factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure (skilled and unskilled foot movements). Foot preference in skilled and unskilled movements was correlated with hand preference and foot/hand-tapping speed. This correlation was found to be higher in skilled movements than in unskilled movements. Additionally, foot preference for skilled movements was strongly lateralised. The results indicate that the motor control of fine movements is similar for upper and lower limbs. The fact of lateralisation indicates that skilled and unskilled foot movements utilise different pathways. We propose that the asymmetrical lateral (corticospinal) pathway controls skilled movements while the medial pathways control unskilled movements. We therefore suggest that both skilled and unskilled foot tasks should be evaluated separately in order to assess foot preference.     

Lateral preference in retardates: Relationships between hand,eye, foot,and ear preference

Abstract

Lateral preference, expressed as hand, eye, foot, and ear preference, was studied in a group of high-trainable and low-educable mentally retarded individuals. Results were compared to two non-retarded groups chosen for approximate age and sensori-motor and cognitive equivalence. The retarded group showed a significantly higher incidence of left-sided or mixed-sided behaviors on each of the preference dimensions when compared to the other groups. Although lateral preference for use of limbs and sense organs tended to be concordant in the unaffected samples, the lateral preference patterns in the retardates resembled random assortment. The results are discussed in terms of neurological integrity and developmental lag.     

Associations between hand and foot preference in 3- to 5-year-olds.

Associations between foot and hand preference behavior were examined in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. Analysis of the general trichotomous (right, left, mixed) distribution of preferences indicated no sex or age group differences, while noting that 39% were mixed-footed compared to 17% not favoring one hand over the other. Frequency of paired (congruent and cross-lateral) preferences revealed that two patterns, Right-hand/Right-foot (52%) and Right-hand/Mixed-foot (23%) accounted for the vast majority (75%) of subjects. Of the total number of right-handers, most (67%) preferred the right foot, while only 19% of the left-handers were congruent. Thus, supporting findings reported on older populations that right-handers are more consistently right-footed, than left-handers are left-footed. Behavior of the mixed- and right-handed sample was similar, suggesting an overall predominance of these lateral characteristics in young children.     

Heritability and linkage analysis of hand,foot, and eye preference in Mexican Americans

Functional lateralities are of interest due to their relationship with cerebral lateralisation and language development. However, genes influencing sidedness remain elusive. We measured direction and consistency of hand, foot, and eye preference in 584 Mexican-Americans from families participating in the San Antonio Family Diabetes/Gallbladder Study. Using maximum-likelihood-based variance components methods, we estimated weak (.11?≤?h²≤.17) but significant heritability for foot preference, eye preference, several hand preferences (writing, drawing, throwing, using scissors, using spoon, striking match), and a composite hand preference trait. Self-reported handedness was significantly heritable (h²=.57), whereas hand preference for opening a box or using a toothbrush or knife was not. Many trait pairs had significant genetic correlations, and all had significant environmental correlations. Using genome-wide multipoint linkage screens using 382 highly informative autosomal STR markers, we identified suggestive linkage signals for drawing (LOD 2.10) and writing (LOD 2.00) hand preference on chromosome 12q21–23, in the region flanked by markers D12S1300 and PAH. A suggestive signal (LOD 2.46) for eye preference occurred on chromosome 22pter, near marker D22S420. No obvious candidate genes occur in these regions. Our results indicate that genes are an important component of side preferences, and suggest chromosomal regions for further investigation.     

Heritability and linkage analysis of hand, foot, and eye preference in Mexican Americans

Functional lateralities are of interest due to their relationship with cerebral lateralisation and language development. However, genes influencing sidedness remain elusive. We measured direction and consistency of hand, foot, and eye preference in 584 Mexican-Americans from families participating in the San Antonio Family Diabetes/Gallbladder Study. Using maximum-likelihood-based variance components methods, we estimated weak (.11 相似文献   

Ambulatory foot temperature measurement: a new technique in polyneuropathy evaluation

Complaints of abnormal foot temperature are common among patients with polyneuropathy. However, there is no published method of ambulatory foot temperature measurement to identify possible thermoregulatory disturbances in these patients. We configured a digital electronic thermometer and thermocouple to measure and record distal foot and ambient temperatures simultaneously every minute for 24 to 48 h. Sixteen patients with polyneuropathy and 5 normal subjects were studied; 12 patients with polyneuropathy and 4 normal subjects had at least 24 h of successful recording. The data obtained from these patients were consistent and easily summarized by standard statistical methods. In the others, technical difficulties produced nonphysiological readings. In the patients with polyneuropathy, changes in foot temperature mirrored ambient temperature fluctuations more closely than in normal subjects. This technique shows promise in studying temperature regulation in the feet and may provide new insights into neuropathy-associated pain and the pathogenesis of polyneuropathy.     

Lateral preference and schizotypy revisited: Comparison of handedness measurement and classification methods

A sample of 256 undergraduate students was administered five schizotypy scales and a lateral preference questionnaire consisting of 41 handedness items, in order to examine the effect of different approaches to the measurement and classification of handedness on the relationship between schizotypy and lateral preference. The extended handedness questionnaire included the 12 items of Annett's handedness questionnaire, the 10 items of Oldfield's (1971) Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, the 19 items of the lateral preference questionnaire used by Kelley and Coursey (1992a), and additional items from Steenhuis and Bryden's (1989) 32-item Waterloo Handedness Inventory, allowing the examination and comparison of a variety of handedness classification schemes and the computation of several continuous measures of handedness, and comparison of their relationships to schizotypy. Different approaches to the measurement and classification of handedness yielded somewhat different findings concerning the relationship to schizotypy, which also varied depending on gender and the schizotypy measure involved. Among males, higher schizotypy scores were associated with more dextral lateral preference, whereas among females higher schizotypy was associated with mixed right-handedness.     

Automated measurement of spatial preference in the open field test with transmitted lighting

New modification of the open field was designed to improve automation of the test. The main innovations were: (1) transmitted lighting and (2) estimation of probability to find pixels associated with an animal in the selected region of arena as an objective index of spatial preference. Transmitted (inverted) lighting significantly ameliorated the contrast between an animal and arena and allowed to track white animals with similar efficacy as colored ones. Probability as a measure of preference of selected region was mathematically proved and experimentally verified. A good correlation between probability and classic indices of spatial preference (number of region entries and time spent therein) was shown. The algorithm of calculation of probability to find pixels associated with an animal in the selected region was implemented in the EthoStudio software. Significant interstrain differences in locomotion and the central zone preference (index of anxiety) were shown using the inverted lighting and the EthoStudio software in mice of six inbred strains. The effects of arena shape (circle or square) and a novel object presence in the center of arena on the open field behavior in mice were studied.     

Lateral preference and schizotypy revisited: comparison of handedness measurement and classification methods

A sample of 256 undergraduate students was administered five schizotypy scales and a lateral preference questionnaire consisting of 41 handedness items, in order to examine the effect of different approaches to the measurement and classification of handedness on the relationship between schizotypy and lateral preference. The extended handedness questionnaire included the 12 items of Annett's handedness questionnaire, the 10 items of Oldfield's (1971) Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, the 19 items of the lateral preference questionnaire used by Kelley and Coursey (1992a), and additional items from Steenhuis and Bryden's (1989) 32-item Waterloo Handedness Inventory, allowing the examination and comparison of a variety of handedness classification schemes and the computation of several continuous measures of handedness, and comparison of their relationships to schizotypy. Different approaches to the measurement and classification of handedness yielded somewhat different findings concerning the relationship to schizotypy, which also varied depending on gender and the schizotypy measure involved. Among males, higher schizotypy scores were associated with more dextral lateral preference, whereas among females higher schizotypy was associated with mixed right-handedness.     

Evaluating pictorial preference assessment: The effect of differential outcomes on preference assessment results

Three formats for assessing preferences were examined, tangible, pictorial with access, and pictorial without access. Reinforcer assessments were conducted to verify reinforcer effects. Phase 1 examined the assessment formats in alternating blocks of trials. Phase 2 examined results of the entire pictorial without access condition administered first followed by the other formats. Results of Phase 1 indicate similar preference hierarchies for 4 out of 5 participants regardless of format. Phase 2 reinforcer assessment results indicate pictorial without access assessments may be accurate for some but not all participants when assessments are completed in their entirety. Results further indicate that pictorial without access assessments take the least amount of time to administer. Extension and application of these results are discussed.     

The effects of hand preference and gender on finger tapping performance asymmetry by the use of an infra-red light measurement device

We used an infra-red device to study the effects of gender and handwriting preference on manual asymmetry in tapping rate and intertap variability. Our sample (n=102) consisted of approximately equal number of subjects with respect to gender (52 women and 50 men) and handedness (52 right-handers and 50 left-handers). Data on overall performance indicated that men performed more quickly and regularly than women. The index used for measuring manual asymmetry was the difference between the hands as a proportion of the total. Therefore, the asymmetry index was adjusted to remove the influence of overall performance. The analyses based on asymmetry scores indicated a significant handedness effect: right-handers showed greater manual asymmetries than left-handers for both tapping rate and intertap variability. In addition, right handers exhibited a significant greater asymmetry for intertap variability than tapping rate. Taken together, these data may reflect greater hemispheric differences in right-handers, specially for intertap variability.     

The hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis and alcohol preference

Effects of alterations in stress hormones and their actions were investigated on alcohol preference, by intraperitoneal administration of RU38486 (a Type II glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, also given by the intracerebroventricular route), spironolactone (a Type I glucocorticoid receptor antagonist), metyrapone (a corticosterone synthesis inhibitor), corticosterone, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH1-39), or intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) or a CRF antagonist (alpha-helical CRF9-41). Intracerebroventricular or intraperitoneal administration of RU38486 did not alter the alcohol consumption of mice with high preference for alcohol, or, on first administration, the intake of those with low alcohol preference. When given by repeated intraperitoneal injection however this drug prevented the increase in alcohol consumption seen in "low preference" mice after 3 weeks vehicle injections. Spironolactone did not alter alcohol preference when given by intracerebroventricular or intraperitoneal routes. Repeated, but not single, administration of metyrapone reduced alcohol preference in both high and low preference animals and prevented the increase from low alcohol preference caused by repeated vehicle injections. ACTH1-39 or corticosterone administered by single or repeated intraperitoneal injection, or CRF given i.c.v., did not alter alcohol preference, but the CRF antagonist, alpha-helical CRF9-41, caused a transient increase from low alcohol preference. Blood corticosterone concentrations prior to preference measurements did not correlate with the alcohol preference of the mice. The results indicate that delayed consequences of corticosterone acting on Type II glucocorticoid receptors may be involved in the increases in alcohol preference after injection stress. They also suggest that central actions of CRF may influence the low alcohol consumption of the low alcohol-preferring mice.