Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


AMason_Dissertation Final.pdf (515.19 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Effects of Body Position and Degree of Handedness on Cognitive Flexibility

Mason, Alyssa Marie
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5023-5524
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1628082651996841

Abstract Details

2021, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Psychology - Experimental.
Degree of hand preference is a robust indication of corpus callosum size, with individuals whose hand preference varies (called inconsistent-handers, or ICHs)typically having larger corpora callosa than individuals that prefer to use the same hand for most or all tasks (called consistent-handers, or CHs).A larger corpus callosum gives ICHs advantages on tasks that require the integration of information between the two hemispheres of the brain but is detrimental to their performance on tasks that require separation between the hemispheres. Thus, degree of hand preference is a trait variable that can explain individual differences in cognition. One’s bodily posture affects cerebral activation, thereby producing cognitive changes as well. Cerebral activation largely favors the left hemisphere when seated; when standing, though, cerebral activity becomes more symmetrical and increases overall. Standing generally facilitates performance on tasks that require access to right-hemisphere processes or integration of information between the hemispheres. The present research aimed to examine the individual and interactive effects of handedness ad bodily posture on cognitive flexibility. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were assigned to either sit or stand while performing tasks intended to measure cognitive flexibility. In Experiment 1, participants were presented with several ambiguous images and clicked the screen each time their perception of the image changed. In Experiment 2,participants read either a strong or weak argument in favor of comprehensive senior exit exams. No significant effects of handedness of posture emerged. Methodological considerations and limitations are discussed.
Stephen Christman (Committee Chair)
John Jasper (Committee Member)
John Sarnecki (Committee Member)
Andrew Geers (Committee Member)
Kamala London (Committee Member)
63 p.
Cognitive Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Psychobiology; Psychology
handedness; hand preference; degree of handedness; embodied cognition; body position; posture; cognitive flexibility

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mason, A. M. (2021). The Effects of Body Position and Degree of Handedness on Cognitive Flexibility [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1628082651996841

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mason, Alyssa. The Effects of Body Position and Degree of Handedness on Cognitive Flexibility. 2021. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1628082651996841.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mason, Alyssa. "The Effects of Body Position and Degree of Handedness on Cognitive Flexibility." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1628082651996841

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1628082651996841
211
© 2021, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License The Effects of Body Position and Degree of Handedness on Cognitive Flexibility by Alyssa Marie Mason is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12