In praise of ambidexterity: how a continuum of handedness predicts social adjustment

Kevin Denny and Wen Zhang
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Wen Zhang: Department of Psychology, University of Cardiff

No 201019, Working Papers from Geary Institute, University College Dublin

Abstract: This paper estimates the relationship between handedness and social adjustment. In addition to binary measures of hand preference, we also use a continuous measure of hand skill. Outcomes at ages 7, 11 and 16 are studied. Using a semi-parametric estimator it is shown that non-right-handedness (as hand-preference) is associated with poorer social adjustment but this effect disappears as the individuals age. The continuous measure of hand skill has a non-monotonic effect on social adjustment with poorer social adjustment at the extreme values of the continuum. Poorer social adjustment in childhood has been shown to predict poorer socio-economic outcomes later in life.

Pages: 17 pages
Date: 2010-03-03
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http://www.ucd.ie/geary/static/publications/workingpapers/gearywp201019.pdf First version, 2010 (application/pdf)

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Working Paper: In praise of ambidexterity: how a continuum of handedness predicts social adjustment (2010)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ucd:wpaper:201019

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