Why righties are better

In honor of International Left Handers Day, which is today, we revisited some of the latest research. Unfortunately for my fellow lefties out there, the findings may not offer the confirmation of superiority you were hoping for.

Consider these three meta-analyses out of the University of Athens. Researchers Eleni Ntolka and Marietta Papadatou-Pastou included 18 studies of IQ scores involving more than 22, people, part of a larger systemic review of 36 studies involving more than 66, people.

Most of the studies in the review found pretty much zero difference in mean scores between right-handed and left-handed participants. In the meta-analysis that compared right-handers and left-handers specifically, the researcher did find that right-handers had the slight edge. Their mean IQ scores were just a tiny bit higher.

Moreover, it vanished when the largest study in the analysis was removed. What about left-handedness and creativity? Researchers believe hand preference may have to do with the developmental differences between the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

The right hemisphere controls movement on the left side of the body, while the left hemisphere controls movement on the right side of the body. Recent studies have also suggested that multiple genes, maybe even close to 40, are related to hand preference. Children of left-handed parents are more likely to be left-handed than children of right-handed parents. But because lefties are comparatively rare, most children of left-handed parents are right-handed. Cultural influences, environment, and prenatal exposures may also play a role in determining handedness.

In psychology, for instance, intelligence may be described as possessing one or a combination of the following attributes:. There are different theories of intelligence and ways to measure it, including the well-known intelligence quotient IQ tests. Some research has shown lefties may be more likely to develop certain conditions , including:. Research shows left-handed people may have a lower risk of developing ulcers and arthritis. They may also recover more quickly from strokes.

An older article in the American Journal of Psychology suggests that left-handed people may be better at divergent thinking, a thought process used to generate creative ideas. Hand preference is highly subjective and personal. Most people determine their handedness during childhood, sometimes with the help of a parent or caregiver. If you happen to use one hand for about half of the activities and the other for the other half, you may be mixed-handed.

Many studies show mixed results when examining this complicated link, leading researchers to conclude that left-handed people are no smarter than their right-handed counterparts. Researchers say different sides of our brain perform different functions. This may come into play for both right-handed and left-handed people. Another study has shown that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be left-handed.

Is there a deeper connection? Here's what left brain vs. Plenty of stories abound online providing advice for getting a defined or chiseled jawline. Two sets of researchers set out to dig a little deeper into this phenomenon of visual perception.

In a study , 1. Looking at on-base plus slugging OPS percentages, a complete measure of at-bat productivity, left-handed batters LHB enjoyed a. So, the tactical moves to take advantage of OH is clearly shown in this data.

Thinking about possible reasons why OH match-ups favor the hitter, there are two main arguments, self-defense and the breaking ball. With a right-handed release to a right-handed batter, the ball seems to be coming right at him. This slight hesitation to stand in against a 90 mph heater may be enough to disrupt the reaction time needed to hit it.

The same pitch coming from the opposite side provides a better view across the body. Also, a curve ball from a same-handed pitcher will typically break away from the hitter, causing a reach across the plate.

Enter a study by Dr. Ethan D. Clotfelter of Amherst College where he collected and sorted MLB data across 49 years from to Hitters and pitchers were sorted by batting average and earned runs average, respectively. He noted that there was no significant difference in using batting average versus OPS or other offensive stats.