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The left hander syndrome

The left hander syndrome. The Causes and Consequences of Left-Handedness Stanley Coren. Simonette P. Elgert Siena Heights University GRS 601- SJ October 25, 2012 Dr. Patricia McDonald. FOCUS OF THE BOOK. Stanley C oren, the author of the book, focused on:

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The left hander syndrome

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  1. Theleft handersyndrome The Causes and Consequences of Left-Handedness Stanley Coren • Simonette P. Elgert • Siena Heights University • GRS 601- SJ • October 25, 2012 • Dr. Patricia McDonald

  2. FOCUS OF THE BOOK • Stanley Coren, the author of the book, focused on: • Giving the readers understanding of the many studies hoping to confirm diabolical thinking. • The beliefs, attributions and theories behind left-handedness.

  3. LEFT-HANDERS STATISTICS • It is estimated that the number of left-handed people in the world is about 10% • (Coren, 1992) • (www.luckylefty.com)

  4. HANDEDNESS Refers to the hand that you choose (Preferred hand) • Research have shown that: • 13% of right-handers have a stronger grip with their left hand • 75% of left-handers have a stronger grip with their right hand

  5. HANDEDNESS CONTROVERSY • Has been around dating back to it’s mention in the Bible and Egyptian tomb writings. • Left-handers, even in recent times, have been regarded as “different”. • Studies have suggested strong negative stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination towards the left-handers.

  6. ORIGIN OF THE WORD “LEFT” • It came from the Anglo-Saxon word lyft, which means “weak” or “broken” • The Oxford English dictionary defines the word left when use in a phrase, as “clumsy” and “awkward” • “The negative prejudices and stereotypes about left-handers persist in our language because of what psychologists call the Just World Phenomenon, stems from our training as children that good is rewarded and evil is punished” (Coren, 1992).

  7. BELIEFS AND ATTRIBUTIONS • Left is attributed to the devil. Devils and evil spirits are present on the left side while the right side is holy. • Religion expressed the left as bad and the right side was good as depicted in the Bible, prayers and rites. • “Left handers are discriminated against, not only by the language and attitudes of society, but also in overt and explicit ways by custom, superstition, and religion” (Coren, 1992).

  8. THEORIES OF LEFT-HANDEDNESS • HANDEDNESS WAS GENETICALLY DETERMINED • This theory was abandoned by Coren, his studies showed that handedness is not determined by individual genetic make-up. The parents handedness has no relationship with that of the offspring. • HANDEDNESS WAS THE RESULT OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL PRESSURE • Coren suggest that the pressure exerted by society toward right-handedness is not effective in changing handedness in the long run. But, some aspects of handedness can be learned • LEFT-HANDERS HAVE MORE HEALTH-RELATED PROBLEMS AND SHORT LIFE SPAN • Coren found that left-handers are linked to some factors that reduces survival ability. But, no link to dying early.

  9. conclusion • Our physical environment and technology were not designed to cater to the needs of the left-handers. Although a lot more have evolved as far as consideration to the left-handers since the publication of this book, continued education and attitude alteration of the society is important to effect awareness and consideration to those who are left-handed.

  10. REFERENCE • Coren, S. (1992). The left hander syndrome: The causes and consequences of left handedness. New York, NY: The Free Press.

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