The idea that being left-handed was linked to talent was an ancient belief. Several famous names throughout history such as Leonardo da Vinci, Mark Twain, Mozart, Marie Curie, Nikola Tesla and AristotleThey were left-handed.
This association still exists to this day. Prominent contemporary figures, such as former US President Barack Obama, and businessman Bill Gates Footballer Lionel Messi is also left-handed.
The question of whether this group of people are more likely to be geniuses is an interesting one.
Some evidence, including the results of studies that have focused on the subject, helps to show the relationship between aspects and ability in mathematics, for example.
Studies show that left-handed people may be more intelligent – Image: Canva
There is still no explanation for the one-handed preference
It is estimated that between 10% and 13.5% of the population is not right-handed. Although a small group of these people are comfortable using both hands, the vast majority are left-handed.
Preferring one hand over the other is an expression of brain function and is related to perception.
In general, left-handed people show greater development of the right hemisphere, which is responsible for skills such as spatial reasoning and the ability to mentally manipulate representations of objects.
It is common to note that the corpus callosum, the structure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, is generally larger in left-handed people.
This suggests that some left-handers have enhanced connectivity between the two hemispheres of the brain, which may lead to more efficient information processing.
The reason behind this is still not entirely clear. One theory suggests that living in a predominantly right-handed society may cause left-handers to use both hands more often, which may increase communication between the two hemispheres.
This idea suggests that a person can develop greater brain connectivity by practicing using both hands.
These distinct characteristics may explain why left-handed people have an advantage in some technical and professional fields.
It is most common among musicians, artists, architects, and chess players. In all of these activities, the ability to process information effectively and have better-than-average spatial skills are crucial.
Left hand and athletic intelligence
What about the relationship between being left-handed and being able to do so? mathematics? As expected, the role of handedness in this specialty has been of interest for a long time.
More than 30 years ago, a pioneering study suggested that lateralization could be an indicator of athletic maturity.
The study found that the proportion of left-handers among students with aptitude for mathematics was much higher than in the general population.
However, doubts have recently emerged about the idea that this characteristic can predict superior intellectual abilities.
Many experts have argued that left-handedness is not associated with any specific advantage in cognitive ability and, furthermore, may have negative effects on cognitive ability. Cognitive functionIn general and academic performance.
For example, one study found that left-handed children scored slightly lower on several developmental measures.
Likewise, a recent review highlighted that left-handed people appear to be overrepresented among people with intellectual disabilities.
Another comprehensive research noted that in a sample of children ages 5 to 14, those who showed a preference for their left hand tended to score lower on math skills.
However, nothing is conclusive, and science continues to try to solve this mystery.
