Hand preference and social interaction

The research question is whether left- and righthanders differ in social interaction. Social interaction is a key feature of animals living in groups. It is one of the important determinants of social status and the chance for reproduction. From an evolutionary perspective selection may act on characteristics of social interaction. The Social Behavior Inventory (SBI) was developed to measure interpersonal behavior along two dimensions, communion (ranging from agreeableness to quarrelsomeness) and agency (ranging from dominance to submissiveness). Communal behaviors serve to express affiliation and agentic behaviors serve to express hierarchy.Longitudinal data on social interaction have been collected using the SBI evaluating the characteristics of 5 social interactions per day during 14 days. Hand preference data have been collected using the Edinburgh handedness inventory or a three point scale (left, ambidexter, right. Multilevel analysis (not SPSS) has been used. Currently a paper is in preparation.

Main project

This project is part of project "Lateralization".

Researchers and partners

Behavioural and Social Sciences, Psychology

Dr. M (Marije) aan het Rot, Clinical Psychology
dr. R.H. (Reint) Geuze, PI, Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology
V. Bodiut, BA thesis student; now ReMa UvAmsterdam, Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology
M. Gaebler, MSc; now PhD student Potsdam, Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology

University of Groningen, outside of Behavioural and Socials Sciences

Prof. Dr. A.G.G. (Ton) Groothuis

Education

Selection of BA and MA student projects

A Comparison between Left- and Right-handers in Agentic and Communal Behaviors during Daily Social Interaction
As the project expires, no further opportunities exist for master theses
The association between hand preference and interpersonal behavior