Why are some people right (or left) handed?

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

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Why are some people right (or left) handed? is an episode from Coronacast by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

This episode is 0:19:00 long.

This episode was published on Apr 7, 2026.

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