Abstract
This review aims to present the different hypotheses advanced to explain the left-side preference observed in infant holding. Some of these hypotheses concern (a) the position of the heart and the soothing effect of heartbeats, (b) to leave free the dominant hand (the right in most people). However, an analysis of the literature and our own studies lead to consider that a combination of factors is involved in the determination of this side bias. One of the factors we have experimentally studied concerns the role of hemispheric specializations in the visual control of emotions [1]. Emotional monitoring in left-side holding allows (a) the holder to better monitor the infant's emotional state and, (b) the infant to perceive the most expressive face of the holder (left hemiface). The available data have shown a relation between the asymmetrical visual perception of emotions and holding-side preferences. Future works should be directed toward the investigation of the function of lateralised holding (e.g. intent to soothe the infant versus intent to arouse the infant [2]). Also of interest for future research is the study of hemispherical specialisation patterns among left-handers and the lateralisation of auditory stimuli in the perception of emotions. It is expected that these new directions should allow to better understand the determinants of laterality in holding an infant.
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