We’re often told that left-handed people are more creative. When it comes to evidence, the jury’s still out, but the hand you prefer is less important than how much you prefer it: that is, whether you’re one-handed or ambidextrous. For each of these activities, which hand do you use – always left, usually left, both equally, usually right or always right?
a) writing a letter
b) throwing a ball
c) brushing your teeth
d) eating with a spoon
If you said “always left” for all four – or three, with one “usually left” – you are consistent-left handed. If you said “always right” for all four – or three, with one “usually right” – you are consistent-right handed. Otherwise, like 50% of men and 34% of women, you are inconsistent handed.
If you’re consistent handed… You’re probably a consistent, and perhaps even conservative, thinker. Compared with inconsistent handers, you’re less open to persuasion, worse at taking other people’s perspectives, and more likely to stick with one brand than to shop around. You’re also less likely to believe in evolution (it is true, by the way).
If you’re inconsistent-handed… Compared with those stick-in-the muds, you’re more likely to prefer obscure styles of music, have left-wing politics and believe in the supernatural. But why? Well, the flexible of hand tend to be flexible of brain, because the two halves of the brain – each of which controls one hand – are more practised at talking to one another. For some reason, this also helps you get to sleep faster.
Check out the science at http://tinyurl.com/qdndqme
Psy-Q by Ben Ambridge is published by Profile Books at £8.99. To order a copy for £6.29, go to bookshop.theguardian.com
