Handedness and creativity: Facts and fictions

Abstract

Are left-handers more creative than right-handers? In both popular belief and scientific literature, left-handedness is linked with higher creativity. In a qualitative review supported by meta-analyses, here we evaluated whether left- or mixed-handers are more creative than right-handers, as measured by tests of divergent thinking, and evaluated whether left- or mixed-handers are overrepresented in creative professions. We argue that plausible mechanisms for a link between creativity and handedness can be found within influential theories of the neural basis of creativity. However, we found no evidence that left- or mixed-handers are more creative than right-handers; on the contrary, right-handers scored statistically higher on one standard test of divergent thinking (the Alternate Uses Test). Additionally, although left- and mixed-handers may be overrepresented in Art and Music, they are underrepresented in creative professions, in general. Both right and left-handers tend to believe that left-handers are more creative, but this belief is not supported by the available empirical evidence.