Cross-modal recognition of shape from hand to eyes and handedness in human newborns

The present research addresses the question of the generality of the ability to transfer shape information from one hand to the eyes recently evidenced in human newborns. Using an intersensory paired-preference procedure, we confirmed that newborns can visually recognize the shape of an object that they have previously manipulated with their right hand, out of sight. However, the results revealed that this ability is absent when the left hand is involved. Handedness in cross-modal transfer task is discussed in relation to other behavioral asymmetries in newborns. Taken together, the present research confirms the existence in some conditions of an early fragile ability to extract shape information in a tactual format and transfer it to a visual format, independent of common experience.