• Question: Why is it more common to be right handed?

    Asked by to Andrei, Ekbal, Gemma, Helen, Ruth on 17 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Gemma Marsden

      Gemma Marsden answered on 17 Jun 2014:

      Hi gargank,

      I’m afraid to say no one really knows! We are the only species who has one dominant side ( as a species). Primates tend to favour one hand or another but this is as individuals not as a species.
      It is thought that there is an evolutionary spill-over from when language was developing. Our ancestors gestured before they could speak and as language is controlled by the left side of the brain (and this controls the right side of our body) we are predominantly right handed.
      That’s a great question and one that you could research in the future!

Comments