Handdominans

Hand dominance, or handedness, is the habitual preference to use one hand over the other for most tasks, such as writing, throwing, or manipulating objects. It reflects functional asymmetry in the brain and body and is a stable trait for many people, though some show variation over time or across tasks.

Most people are right-handed, a smaller proportion are left-handed, and a minority are ambidextrous or display mixed-handedness. Estimates commonly place right-handed individuals around 85–90 percent and left-handed individuals around 10 percent, with a small fraction capable of using both hands with similar ease.

Development and biology: Handedness begins to emerge in early childhood and results from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. While language and fine-motor control are often associated with the left hemisphere in right-handed people, brain organization varies, and some left-handers have right-hemisphere language dominance or more bilateral representation.

Assessment and measurement: Researchers use questionnaires such as the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory or the laterality quotient to classify individuals. Observational tasks and handedness tests are also used in research and clinical settings to study motor preference and brain organization.

Implications and considerations: Hand dominance affects tool selection, ergonomics, and training in activities such as sports or crafts. Left-handed individuals may benefit from adapted tools and practices, and skills can be developed with practice using either hand. Cultural attitudes toward left-handedness have varied historically, influencing acceptance and accommodation in different societies.