Ambidexterity

Definition

Ambidexterity is the tendency for one to be more or less equally proficient in carrying out complex or skilled motor tasks with either the right or the left hand. While complete ambidexterity is relatively rare, mixed proficiencies or preferences are not uncommon, with men more frequently demonstrating such mixed preferences than women. Tan (1988) found that approximately 66% of the population was noted to express a strong right-handed preference, while a little more than 3% were predominately left handed. The remaining 30% evidenced mixed hand preferences. As noted elsewhere in this volume, handedness is a common, but not the only measure of what is referred to as “cerebral dominance.” Another of the more frequent indices of dominance is language, which is typically organized primarily in the left hemisphere. While in the majority of non-brain-injured individuals, the control of both complex motor skills and language functions rest within the left hemisphere, this may not...