laterálité

Laterality refers to the preference for using one side of the body over the other for tasks such as writing, throwing, or seeing. This preference is most commonly observed in handedness, where individuals are right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous. However, laterality extends to other body parts, including the eyes, ears, and feet. For example, someone might have a dominant right eye or a preferred foot for kicking a ball.

The development of laterality typically emerges in early childhood and becomes established by around the age of five. While the exact causes are not fully understood, it is believed to be influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Research suggests that brain organization plays a significant role, with specialized functions often lateralized to one hemisphere. For instance, language processing is predominantly located in the left hemisphere for most right-handed individuals.

Most people exhibit consistent laterality, meaning their dominant side is the same for various tasks. However, mixed-handedness or mixed ocular dominance can occur, where an individual prefers different sides for different activities. While variations in laterality are generally considered normal, significant inconsistencies or difficulties in establishing a clear preference have sometimes been linked to developmental challenges, though this is not a universal rule. Understanding laterality is important in fields such as education, sports psychology, and neuroscience for assessing individual differences and optimizing performance.