Does motor cerebral dominance develop secondary to sensory dominance?

R. S. el-Mallakh, R. J. Wyatt, S. W. Looney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Current research and theoretical frameworks for understanding motor dominance assume that motor dominance is primary. Various developmental clues, however, suggest that the maturation of proprioceptive sensory processing predates that of motor control. We hypothesized that the observed adult pattern of lateralized motor dominance may develop as a consequence of preexisting lateralized "sensory" or "proprioceptive dominance." To test whether motor preference could develop in response to sensory dominance, we investigated sighting eye dominance, eye lid winking, and handedness in 164 individuals. Subjects winked the nondominant eye significantly more frequently than the dominant eye and independently of their handedness, lending partial support to the idea that motor function can develop in response to sensory function. Specific investigation of the development of the proprioceptive system would be needed to evaluate whether lateralization of motor handedness develops as a consequence of "proprioceptive" lateralization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)647-652
Number of pages6
JournalPerceptual and motor skills
Volume76
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1993
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Sensory Systems

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