Inconsistent-handed advantage in episodic memory extends to paragraph-level materials. Issue 8 (14th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prichard, Eric C.; Christman, Stephen D.
• Is Part Of: Memory. Volume 25:Issue 8(2017)
• Page Start: 1063
• Page End: 1071
• Publication Date: 2017-09-14
• Subjects: Handedness -- episodic memory -- interhemispheric interaction -- paragraph memory -- text memory; Memory -- Periodicals; 153.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2016.1257725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-8211

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Past research using handedness as a proxy for functional access to the right hemisphere demonstrates that individuals who are mixed/inconsistently handed outperform strong/consistently handed individuals when performing episodic recall tasks. However, research has generally been restricted to stimuli presented in a list format. In the present paper, we present two studies in which participants were presented with paragraph-level material and then asked to recall material from the passages. The first study was based on a classic study looking at retroactive interference with prose materials. The second was modelled on a classic experiment looking at perspective taking and the content of memory. In both studies, the classic effects were replicated and the general finding that mixed/inconsistent-handers outperform strong/consistent-handers was replicated. This suggests that considering degree of handedness may be an empirically useful means of reducing error variance in paradigms looking at memory for prose level material.