Note on Hand Use in the Manipulation of Joysticks by Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes )

In a recent article MacNeilage, Studdert-Kennedy, and Lindblom (1987) proposed that nonhuman primate handedness may be contingent on the specific task requirements with visual-spatial tasks yielding left-hand preferences and fine motor tasks producing right-hand preferences. This study reports hand...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of comparative psychology (1983) 1989-03, Vol.103 (1), p.91-94
Hauptverfasser: Hopkins, William D, Washburn, David A, Rumbaugh, Duane M
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:In a recent article MacNeilage, Studdert-Kennedy, and Lindblom (1987) proposed that nonhuman primate handedness may be contingent on the specific task requirements with visual-spatial tasks yielding left-hand preferences and fine motor tasks producing right-hand preferences. This study reports hand preferences in the manipulation of joysticks by 2 rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta ) and 3 chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ). Reach data were also collected on these same subjects and served as a basis for comparison with preference data for manipulation of the joystick. The data indicated that all 5 subjects demonstrated significant right-hand preferences in manipulating the joystick. In contrast, no significant hand preferences were found for the reach data. Reaction time data also indicated that the right hand could perform a perceptualmotor task better than the left hand in all 5 subjects. Overall, the data indicate that reach tasks may not be sensitive enough measures to produce reliable hand preferences, whereas tasks that assess fine motor control produce significant hand preferences.
ISSN:0735-7036
1939-2087
DOI:10.1037/0735-7036.103.1.91