Differences in Divergent Thinking as a Function of Handedness and Sex

Abstract

The relationship between handedness and divergent thinking was explored in four studies. Experiment 1 (N = 556) used the Alternate Uses Test, Experiment 2 (N = 941) tested object synthesis, and Experiment 3 (N = 965) tested ideational flexibility. No difference as a function of handedness was found in Experiment 1, but in Experiments 2 and 3 divergent thinking was significantly related to handedness in males. Left-handed males had higher divergent thinking scores, and the scores rose systematically with increasing sinistrality. Handedness was not related to divergent thinking ability in females. Experiment 4 (N = 1,548) showed that these differences were not associated with superiority by left-handed individuals in convergent thinking. Interpretations based on altered neurological development due to factors such as fetal testosterone exposure are discussed.