Visual and Verbal Processes in Right-Left Confusion: Psychometric and Experimental Approaches.

Ubuka Tagami,Shu Imaizumi

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753532

Abstract

Errors in discriminating right from left, termed right-left confusion, reflect a failure in translating visuospatial perceptions into verbal representation of right or left (i.e., visuo-verbal process). There may also be verbo-visual process, where verbal cues are translated into visual representations of space. To quantify these two processes underlying right-left confusion, Study 1 investigated the factor structure of the Right-Left Confusability Scale, which assesses daily experiences of right-left confusion. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that these two processes and another factor reflecting mental rotation underlie right-left confusion. Study 2 examined correlations between the (sub)scale scores and performance on orientation judgment tasks reflecting visuo-verbal and verbo-visual processes. Overall, self-reported measures were not associated with the behavioral performances presumably reflecting the two processes. These results suggest that the cognitive mechanisms underlying right-left confusion can be classified into visuo-verbal and verbo-visual processes and mental rotation, although their psychometric and behavioral indices might be distinct. Further studies may develop better assessments of right-left confusion reflecting these processes.

Highlights

The goal of this study is to elucidate the cognitive mechanisms of right-left confusion
Parallel analysis suggested two factors accounting for 55.6% of the total variance, which showed fit indices, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.084, Tucker– Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.94, and χ2(8) = 13.56 (p = 0.094)
According to previous studies suggesting that right-left discrimination requires higher order functions such as mental rotation as well as visual and verbal capacities (Benton and Sivan, 1993; Jordan et al, 2006), we identified Factor 2, which may be related to mental rotation

Summary

Introduction

Euclidean space has three axes (i.e., up-down, front-back, and right-left). We can make errors in discrimination and identification of right and left in particular. One may misjudge the right or left side of a person’s body (parts), which can even cause medical and traffic accidents (Gormley et al, 2008). Misjudgment of right-left discrimination is called right-left confusion (Wolf, 1973; Hirnstein et al, 2009). Right-left confusion could reflect the symmetry of our mental right-left axis (Farrell, 1979). Most people have right and left limbs, eyes, and so on, and are able to choose, for example, which limb they will move. In this sense, right and left in space could be relatively symmetric and less distinct, which may be the source in our cognitive system of right-left confusion

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Conclusion