Reaction time differences between left- and right-handers during mental rotation of hand pictures |
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Authors: | Kotaro Takeda Nobuaki Shimoda Yutaka Sato Misao Ogano |
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Affiliation: | 1. International University of Health and Welfare Hospital , Nasushiobara, Tochigi;2. CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency , Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan;3. CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency , Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan;4. International University of Health and Welfare , Ohtawara, Tochigi, Japan;5. Laboratory for Language Development , BSI, RIKEN , Wako, Saitama, Japan;6. International University of Health and Welfare , Ohtawara, Tochigi, Japan |
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Abstract: | During mental rotation tasks using hand pictures, right-handers make left–right judgements by mentally rotating their own hand to an orientation of the presented hand image. Although strategy difference for the tasks between left- and right-handers has been suggested, the strategy of left-handers has been incompletely understood. In the present study we compared differences in reaction times between 15 left-handed and 16 right-handed normal individuals during a mental rotation task using simple hand pictures. Participants were required to identify pictures of a hand presented in four orientations (upright, counterclockwise rotated, clockwise rotated, and inverted) as either a right or a left hand. Right-handers recognised a right hand faster than a left hand, whereas no significant difference was seen for left-handers. Both left- and right-handers recognised a right hand faster than a left hand in counterclockwise-rotated images, and recognised a left hand faster than a right hand in clockwise-rotated images. The findings suggest that the differences in the reaction times between left- and right-handers depend on a laterality balance of hand motor skills. During mental rotation task using simple hand pictures, left-handers may mentally simulate their own hand to match the stimulus image as similar to right-handers. |
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Keywords: | Mental rotation Reaction time Handedness Motor simulation Motor skill |
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