8 - Hand-preference and population schizotypy:

Summary

Hand preference in population schizotypy, however, has been investigated extensively in large samples. In order to elucidate the evidence for a possible association between hand preference and schizotypal tendency, this chapter explores the meta-analyses on the present literature. Primarily, the chapter investigates whether schizotypy is elevated in non-right-handers in comparison to right-handers. Secondarily, it also investigates whether there is a difference between mixed handedness (ambidexterity) in comparison to both strong right and left handedness. Hand preference can be dichotomously dissected in right-handedness (RH) and non-right-handedness (NRH), with non-right-handedness including left- (LH), mixed- (mix) and even weak right-hander or hand preference can be considered a trichotomous model comprising right-, mixed- and left-handedness. The homogeneity statistic was calculated to assess heterogeneity of results across studies. Neuroimaging studies on cerebral lateralization of high schizotypy subjects are required to elucidate the origins of the relation between NRH and schizotypy.