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Note on hand use in the manipulation of joysticks by rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)MacNeilage et al. (1987) have proposed that nonhuman primate handedness may be contingent on the specific task requirements, with visual-spatial tasks yielding left-hand preferences and fine-motor tasks producing right-hand preferences. This study reports hand preferences in the manipulation of joysticks by 2 rhesus monkeys and 3 chimpanzees. Reach data were also collected for comparison with preference data for manipulation of the joystick. The data indicated that all 5 subjects demonstrated significant right-hand preferences in manipulating the joystick. In contrast, no significant hand preferences were found for the reach data. Reaction-time data also indicated that the right hand could perform a perceptual-motor task better than the left hand in all 5 subjects. Overall, the data indicate that reach tasks may not be sensitive enough measures to produce reliable hand preferences, whereas tasks that assess fine-motor control produce significant hand preferences.
Document ID
19890061003
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hopkins, William D.
(Georgia State Univ. Atlanta, GA, United States)
Washburn, David A.
(Georgia State Univ. Atlanta, GA, United States)
Rumbaugh, Duane M.
(Georgia State University; Emory University, Atlanta, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Comparative Psychology
Volume: 103
Issue: 1 19
ISSN: 0735-7036
Subject Category
Behavioral Sciences
Accession Number
89A48374
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-438
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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