Laterality, spatial abilities, and accident proneness

• Published in: Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 27 - 36
• Main Authors: Voyer, Susan D., Voyer, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02-01-2015
• Subjects: Accident Proneness; Adult; Female; Functional Laterality - physiology; Handedness; Humans; Individuality; Injury liability; Laterality; Male; Regression Analysis; Rotation; Sex Characteristics; Spatial abilities; Spatial Navigation - physiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Handedness; Injury liability; Spatial abilities; Laterality; Accident proneness
• ISSN: 1380-3395; 1744-411X
• DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2014.985191

Although handedness as a measure of cerebral specialization has been linked to accident proneness, more direct measures of laterality are rarely considered. The present study aimed to fill that gap in the existing research. In addition, individual difference factors in accident proneness were further examined with the inclusion of mental rotation and navigation abilities measures. One hundred and forty participants were asked to complete the Mental Rotations Test, the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction scale, the Greyscales task, the Fused Dichotic Word Test, the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire, and a grip strength task before answering questions related to number of accidents in five areas. Results indicated that handedness scores, absolute visual laterality score, absolute response time on the auditory laterality index, and navigation ability were significant predictors of the total number of accidents. Results are discussed with respect to cerebral hemispheric specialization and risk-taking attitudes and behavior.