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81
ISSN:3030-3621
THE INFLUENCE OF LEFT-HANDEDNESS ON LEARNING STYLES AND
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Jamolxonova Niginabonu Eldor qizi,
Student of Uzbekistan national pedagogical university
Abstract:
Left-handed individuals make up approximately 10% of the global
population. The assumption that individuals might differ in their cognitive style
according to the dominant hemisphere has given rise to tendencies to apply the theory
to teaching methods. Studies on occupational choice suggest that more "left brain
thinking" might be involved in students' preferences for language and literature and
more "right brain thinking" in preferences for graphic arts, artistic skills and
architecture. As some studies on brain lateralization have lent support to the hypothesis
that left-handed people may reflect a right-brain dominance, and as differences in
dominance could have implications about cognitive functioning, the present study aims
at investigating whether this difference is reflected in the learning-style and, therefore,
learning-strategy differences between left-handed and right-handed EFL students.
Though they live in a world designed for right-handed people, research shows that left-
handedness can influence how students learn, process information, and perform
academically. This article explores how being left-handed affects learning styles and
academic success.
Key words:
left-handedness, influence, learning style, academic performance,
education, challenges.
Learning style differences:
Studies suggest that left-handed people may
process information more holistically and creatively. This is linked to the brain’s right
hemisphere, which is often more dominant in left-handers. As a result, many left-
handed students prefer visual-spatial learning, pattern recognition, and intuitive
thinking. They may excel in subjects like art, music, and geometry, where creative and
visual skills are crucial. A person who is left-handed primarily uses his or her left hand,
more so than the right hand; a left-hander will probably use the left hand for tasks such
as personal care, cooking, and so on.
A widespread idea exists that left-handed individuals are more intelligent and
creative than right-handed people. The supporting data for cognitive skills performance
of left-handers are intricate. In a study it was found that on average the left-handers
show lower performance in high school. While other studies have established the
contrary results that left-handers are significantly more intelligent than the right-
handers.
Ta'lim innovatsiyasi va integratsiyasi
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82
ISSN:3030-3621
Left-handers learn foreign languages better and quicker, have stronger spatial
perception, are more creative, their visual memory is more developed and they often
exhibit fighting. They are somehow more flexible than right-handers. They appear to
be capable of switching over their hand for performing tasks more easily than right-
handed people. They think more quickly when playing computer games or sports,
which is the reason they are considered better player than right-handers. Left-handed
people are likely to be more visual than language-based, making them ideal for artistic
pursuits.
Research has shown that university students are more likely to major in visually-
based, as opposed to language-based, subjects when they are left-handed. While
another study — not comprehensive at only 103 students — showed that within the
sample, 47% of art students were left or mixed-handed.
Classroom challenges:
Despite their unique strengths, left-handed students
often face physical and cognitive challenges in traditional learning environments.
Many school tools—like scissors, desks, and writing materials—are designed for right-
handed use, which can lead to discomfort and slower task performance. In writing, left-
handed students may struggle with smudging ink or poor handwriting, especially in
languages written left to right. Furthermore, the handles are often molded in a way that
is very difficult for a left-hander to hold, and extensive use causes severe discomfort
and pain. Computer mice are also very frequently shaped to fit the right hand. Rulers
as well are difficult to use, resulting in upside down measurements.
Writing is difficult to learn for a left-handed child if, as is usually the case, the
writing teacher is right-handed. This is because, when properly done, left-handed
writing is a mirror image to that of the right hander, making the learning process
confusing for the left-handed student.
The result is, the majority of left-handed people write with their hand curled
around the pen so that it can meet the paper at the same angle as the right hander, rather
than simply tilt the paper the opposite way. Once this habit is formed, it is difficult to
break.
Academic performance:
There is no clear evidence that left-handedness leads
to lower or higher academic performance overall. However, left-handed students may
perform better in tasks that require divergent thinking and creativity. On the other hand,
they might underperform in standardized testing environments that do not
accommodate their needs.
-Positive Findings:
Some left-handed students have been found to excel in mathematics,
architecture, and creative fields, possibly due to right-brain strengths in spatial
awareness and creativity.
Ta'lim innovatsiyasi va integratsiyasi
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ISSN:3030-3621
Studies like one by Coren (1995) suggest that left-handers may outperform
right-handers in certain problem-solving tasks.
-Negative Findings or Challenges:
Left-handed students may face challenges in standardized classrooms, especially
when tools and instructions favor right-handed norms.
Older studies sometimes showed slightly lower average academic performance,
but this is often attributed to environmental factors, not handedness itself.
-Neutral Findings: Large-scale studies (e.g., in the UK and Australia) have
shown no significant difference in average academic achievement between left- and
right-handed students.
Left-handers as being particular
: Left-handedness distinguishes left-handed
population as unique and different in a way, for the majority of handedness are
categorized as right-handed population. Based on the finding this uniqueness brought
various feeling to left-handed individuals that is caused by both internal and external
influences. The feeling ensued the belief, value and thought of left-handedness.
-Positive feeling of being left-handed
Some of the participants express their positive feeling and distinctiveness for
being left-handed. These positive feelings mentioned in the finding includes feeling of
uniqueness, happy, proud, feeling different, advantageous etc.
-Negative feeling of being left-handed
While others left-hander participants explain the negative feeling they
experience as a result of their left handedness. For some, this feeling resulted from
internal and external pressure like social influence that rose from the religious and
cultural value that left-handedness has. These negative feelings stated in this finding
include feeling of isolation, sadness, vulnerable.
Conclusion
Left-handedness influences the way students learn and engage with academic
tasks. Recognizing these differences is important in creating inclusive educational
settings. With proper support and awareness, left-handed students can thrive and use
their unique strengths to their academic advantage.
Left-handed students are ready and able to adapt to a right-handed world. They
can blend in a world intended for right-handed people. They may experience challenges
along the way yet these do not hinder them from performing what is expected of them.
They get used to the daily challenges posed on them and are able to overcome them
through the process of adaptation. Hence, they may experience difficulties in a right-
handed world but they are able to fit in and accomplish with ease the tasks.
Addressing learning styles is a dual responsibility. Teachers need to determine
student's learning style preferences and present instruction, supply materials and
provide assessment options that address students' learning style needs. Students must
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be taught about their learning style strengths so they can be empowered to study in
ways that will help them concentrate process and retain new and difficult information.
Students and teachers alike need to be respectful of learning style differences.
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