Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Thondar on 24/11/2005 15:49:29

Title: Right and Left misunderstanding
Post by: Thondar on 24/11/2005 15:49:29
I don't know why and I'm asking for enlightenment. Why a lot of people still, no matter how many years they have, don't know which way is right or which way is left.

I've notice that is a common problem, where the person have to make something to remember, like closing an eye, or view their hands to know which one is the one for writing and then say "cause I'm LeftHanded this is the Left" or something like that.

Have this happened to any of you?

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.  LVB
Title: Re: Right and Left misunderstanding
Post by: Simmer on 24/11/2005 19:28:28
One of my sisters has to think about it before she can tell right from left. It's no fun navigating in her car, let me tell you! [:D]

Some people have suggested that this difficulty arises when people who are naturally left-handed are brought up to be right-handed.
Title: Re: Right and Left misunderstanding
Post by: Solvay_1927 on 24/11/2005 19:46:15
My wife has exactly this problem.  She always has to hesitate for a second or shut one eye before she can tell left from right.

She tells me that it was featured some time ago on a program on Radio 4 (that's like a "BBC World Service: UK version", by the way) - it was described as a common "condition" among left-handed WOMEN in particular.  (I'm being serious, by the way - even though it sounds like I'm leading up to some sort of punchline about why women are so bad at driving.[:D])

I'd be interested to know if anyone knows more about this (has this condition got a name / has it ever been scientifically studied / etc?)
Title: Re: Right and Left misunderstanding
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 25/11/2005 17:53:47
I can't remember seeing anything about this being studied in the general population. However, research has shown it to be a lot more prevalent in people who suffer from dyslexia.
I'll wade through some of my reference books later.
Title: Re: Right and Left misunderstanding
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 25/11/2005 17:55:15
Tony Blair certainly confuses left & right. He claims to be a socialist yet introduces right-wing policies [:D]
Title: Re: Right and Left misunderstanding
Post by: jezza on 25/11/2005 19:41:33
i get confused between left and right, but im dyslexic