No deficits at the point of hemispheric indecision

Abstract

This study attempted to replicate a recent finding by Crow et al. [Neuropsychologia 36 (1998) 1275] showing that about equal skill of right and left hand (i.e. hemispheric indecision) is associated with deficits in cognitive and scholastic achievement. The present study assessed hemispheric indecision by using Annett’s [Left, Right, Hand and Brain: The Right Shift Theory, Lawrence Erlbaum, London, 1985] peg moving test and by assessing the consistency of hand preference at school entrance. Non-verbal intelligence, reading and spelling accuracy were assessed about three years later. The sample consisted of 530 boys. Contrary to Crow et al., children with about equal hand skill did not show deficits in non-verbal intelligence, reading and spelling. Also, there were no deficits when inconsistent hand preference was taken as indication of hemispheric indecision. The findings cast doubt on the hemispheric indecision hypothesis and speak specifically against Orton’s [Reading, Writing and Speech Problems in Children, Norton, New York, 1937] position, revived by Crow et al., that delayed or absent hemispheric dominance may lead to difficulties with the acquisition of reading and spelling.