Lateral eye movement, handedness and sex.

Abstract

Since Day ( 3 ) first described lateral eye movement, i.e., the lateral movement of the eyes in response to reflective questions, investigators (1, 2, 9 ) have reported differences in the cognitive abilities of consistent right and left movers which were in general agreement with the differences in ability associated with the functions of the left and right cerebral hemispheres (5, 7, 8 ) . Assuming the validity of the aforementioned relationship, it is surprising to note that both Bakan ( 1 ) and Ecaugh (4 ) reported that direction of lateral eye movement and handedness were unrelated. Further, apparently no one has reported a relationship between direction of lateral eye movemenr and sex. Since both handedness ( 5 ) and sex ( 6 ) have been associated with patterns of abilities that seem to be related to differential functioning of the cerebral hemispheres, it was thought that the relationships between direction of la:eral eye movement and both handedness and sex should be investigated. The subjects were 23 female and 15 male undergraduates, of which 21 considered themselves right-handed and 17 left-handed. Using Bakan's ( 1 ) criteria, 16 of these subjects showed strong right lateral eye movement and 22 showed strong left movement. Significant associations were found between direction of movemenr and both handedness and sex. Specifically 16 of 22 left-movers were right-handed and 1 1 of 16 right-movers were left-handed ( x a = 6.45, p < .025, Phi = .412). In addition, 10 of 16 right-movers were male and 17 of 22 left-movers were female ( X 2 = 6.13, p < .025, Phi = ,402). These findings should be interpreted as identifying variables which require attention in future research on lateral eye movements. If these data are supported, then perhaps previous relationships reported between lateral eye movements and patterns of ability should be reevaluated since these results may be confounded by handedness and/or sex.