Neonatal manual specialization in language and music conditions: Consistency with the hemispheric specialization adult model. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morange-Majoux, F.; Devouche, E.
• Is Part Of: Early human development. Volume 168(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Handedness -- Manual specialization -- Development -- Hand movement -- Hemispheric specialization -- Newborns; Fetus -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Prenatal influences -- Periodicals; 612.65
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2022.105575
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-3782

Abstract

Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to test in neonates the influence of the sound environment, i.e., language versus music, on asymmetric hand movement activity in the presence of a target object. Based on hemispheric specialization, our hypothesis was that infants would use their right hand more in the speech context (left hemisphere) and their left hand more in the music context (right hemisphere). The study involved 19 full-term 3-day-old neonates. An object was presented successively in the two sound environments in counterbalance order for 120 s each. Left and right movements and mouth activity were scored during the target object presentation. Results show that neonates moved their left hand twice as much as their right hand in the music condition than in the language condition, and they moved their right hand a longer time in the language condition than in the music condition. The average number of sucking bursts was significantly higher in the language condition than in the music condition. We discuss the results in terms of manual specialization in relation to the development of hemispheric specialization. Highlights: Listening to music promotes the use of the left hand in presence of an object in neonates Listening to speech promotes the use of the right hand in presence of an object in neonates Babies move their right hand a longer time in the speech condition than in the music condition. Sucking movements occurred 1.8 times more than mouth opening in the language condition than in the music condition Manual specialization exists in neonates and could be a marker for hemispheric specialization