Why are some people right (or left) handed?

About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of handedness, including cultural influences and the concept of ambidexterity.

What determines whether you’re right or left handed? Is there really such a thing as being ambidextrous? It’s a surprisingly complicated story, and culture comes into play – some people are forced to go against their dominant hand. Norman and Tegan parse through the history of handedness in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: A large-scale population study of early life factors influencing left-handedness The handedness of Kerrs and Carrs The association between switching hand preference and the declining prevalence of left-handedness with age Stuttering and “Retraining” Left-Handed Children in Mid-Century U.S. Can training to become ambidextrous improve brain function? Brain Size Associated with Foot Preferences in Australian Parrots The Influence of Handedness on the Clinical Presentation and Neuropsychology of Alzheimer Disease If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can sudoku really keep your brain younger for longer? Should you train cardio and strength on the same day? The four steps you need to form a habit

People in this episode

Hosts: Norman, Tegan

Topics covered

• handedness
• ambidextrous
• cultural influence
• neuroscience
• history of handedness

Keywords

• right-handed
• left-handed
• ambidextrous
• hand preference
• cultural factors
• neuroscience
• Alzheimer's disease

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: World Science Festival Brisbane

Books & works: A large-scale population study of early life factors influencing left-handedness, The handedness of Kerrs and Carrs, The association between switching hand preference and the declining prevalence of left-handedness with age, Stuttering and “Retraining” Left-Handed Children in Mid-Century U.S., Can training to become ambidextrous improve brain function?, Brain Size Associated with Foot Preferences in Australian Parrots, The Influence of Handedness on the Clinical Presentation and Neuropsychology of Alzheimer Disease

More episodes of What's That Rash?

• Is farting a sign your gut microbiome is happy? · June 9, 2026 · 18 min
• Still coughing — are you still infectious? · June 2, 2026 · 18 min
• Can your joints predict the weather? · May 26, 2026 · 19 min
• Should you get a full-body MRI? · May 19, 2026 · 22 min
• Deep dive on progressive exercise · May 12, 2026 · 22 min
• Hantavirus: what we know about the cruise ship outbreak · May 11, 2026 · 13 min