In this Book
- On the Other Hand: Left Hand, Right Brain, Mental Disorder, and History
- Book
- 2017
- Published by: Johns Hopkins University Press
summary
Does being left-handed make a person different in any way that matters?Since the late Stone Age, approximately 10 percent of humans have been left-handed, yet for most of human history left-handedness has been stigmatized. In On the Other Hand, Howard I. Kushner traces the impact of left-handedness on human cognition, behavior, culture, and health. A left-hander himself, Kushner has long been interested in the meanings associated with left-handedness, and ultimately with whether hand preference can even be defined in a significant way. As he explores the medical and cultural history of left-handedness, Kushner describes the associated taboos, rituals, and stigma from around the globe. The words “left” and “left hand” have negative connotations in all languages, and left-handers have even historically been viewed as disabled.In this comprehensive history of left-handedness, Kushner asks why left-handedness exists. He examines the relationship—if any—between handedness, linguistics, and learning disabilities, reveals how toleration of left-handedness serves as a barometer of wider cultural toleration and permissiveness, and wonders why the reported number of left-handers is significantly lower in Asia and Africa than in the West. Written in a lively style that mixes personal biography with scholarly research, On the Other Hand tells a comprehensive story about the science, traditions, and prejudices surrounding left-handedness.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Chapter 1. Genes and Kangaroos
- pp. 1-15
- Chapter 4. Ambiguous Attitudes
- pp. 45-57
- Chapter 7. The Geschwind Hypothesis
- pp. 91-105
- Chapter 9. Uniquely Human?
- pp. 116-128
- Chapter 10. A Gay Hand?
- pp. 129-137
- Conclusion: Does Left-Handedness Matter?
- pp. 148-154
- Acknowledgments
- pp. 155-158
Additional Information
ISBN
9781421423340
Related ISBN(s)
9781421423333
MARC Record
OCLC
1004661037
Pages
216
Launched on MUSE
2017-09-28
Language
English
Open Access
No