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Target animacy influences gorilla handedness
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 17:45 authored by Gillian S Forrester, David LeavensDavid Leavens, Caterina Quaresmini, Giorgio VallortigaraAbstract We investigated the unimanual actions of a biological family group of twelve western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) using a methodological approach designed to assess behavior within social context from a bottom-up perspective. Measures of both the lateralization of unimanual actions (left, right) and the target of the action (animate, inanimate) were assessed during dual, synchronized video observations of naturalistic behavior. This paper demonstrates a corelationship between handedness and the animate quality of the target object. Analyses demonstrated a significant interaction between lateralized unimanual actions and target animacy and a right-hand bias for actions directed toward inanimate targets. We suggest that lateralized motor preference reflects the different processing capabilities of the left and right hemispheres, as influenced by the emotive (animate) and/or functional (inanimate) characteristics of the target, respectively.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Animal CognitionISSN
1435-9448Publisher
Springer-VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
6Volume
14Page range
903-907Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-06Usage metrics
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