Ambidexterity Auto Saved)

Tomas Del Rosario College
Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
A. General Consideration
Ambidexterity, a state of being equally adept in the use of both
appendages, such as the hands and feet, is a very rare phenomenon that occurs
only in 1 in every 100 people. Such rarity that even Shakespeare became
envious of. His intense desire gave birth to the famous line, “I will give my right
hand to be ambidextrous.” Who wouldn’t? Just imagine being able to use you’re
both hands comfortably and simultaneously!
But this condition was a mystery for the past mystery or two. It is just
recently, scientists have discovered that Ambidexterity is linked to many brain
problems.
This research paper was made to clarify that ambidexterity is not a perfect
condition. That is comes with consequences to burden with, and special abilities
to cherish. But most importantly, people who were born with these conditions are
not abnormal but different, different in a good way.
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B. Statement of the Problem
This paper is the study of Ambidexterity, a famous variety of Cross-
dominance. It explains why Brain Lateralization affects human handedness,
resulting in left/right hand dominance or both. It also tackles the present condition
of ambidextrous people.
Specifically, it aims to discuss the following points:
1. What is Ambidexterity?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Ambidexterity?
3. Is Ambidexterity an inborn trait? A disease?
4. What are the lists of occupations, sports and activities where
Ambidexterity is handy?
5. Why left-handed and ambidextrous people often excel in the
field of Arts and Science?
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C. Objectives of the Problems
1. To explain the meaning of Ambidexterity, Cross-Dominance, and
Laterality.
2. To study the functions of the two brain hemispheres and
their roles in human handedness.
3. To discuss the consequences of converting
handedness, especially in writing.
4. To prevent pregnant mothers from giving birth
to a child with cerebral disturbances.
5. To unlock the mystery behind the left-
handed and ambidextrous brain.
D. Importance of the Problem
This study is important because of the following reasons:
1. It promotes awareness to people with Ambidexterity.
2. It makes the society welcoming and open-minded about the
differences of ambidextrous people.
3. It provides not only information but also warnings about the
problems that are linked to Ambidexterity.
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E. Definition of Terms
1. Handedness – is an unequal distribution of fine motor skill between the left
and right hand.
2. Cerebrum/Cerebral – is the largest, most superior, and the upper most
portion of the human brain.
3. Schizophrenia – is a mental disorder characterized by disintegration of
thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly
manifests as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions,
disorganized speech and thinking.
4. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) – It is a neurobehavioral
developmental disorder that is primarily characterized by "the co-existence
of attention problems and hyperactivity with each behavior occurring
infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.
5. Ambidextrous – a person who can use his/her either hands with equal
ease on specific or all tasks.
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Chapter II
WHAT IS AMBIDEXTERITY?
Ambidexterity is the state of being equally adept in the use of both left
and right appendages (such as the hands) .It is one of the most famous varieties
of cross-dominance.
In modern times, it is more common to find people considered
ambidextrous who were originally left handed and who learned to be
ambidextrous either deliberately or during childhood institutions such as schools
where right-handed habits are often emphasized or required. Also, since many
everyday devices (such as can openers and scissors) are asymmetrical and
designed for right-handed people, many left-handers learn to use them right-
handedly due to the rarity or lack of left-handed models. Thus, left-handed
people are much more likely to develop motor skills in their non-dominant hand
than right-handers (who are not subjected to left-favoring devices). Right-handers
may become ambidextrous due to an injury of their right hand or arm.
The word "ambidextrous" is derived from the Latin roots ambi, meaning
"both," and dexter, meaning "right or favorable.” Thus, “ambidextrous” is literally
"right / favorable on both sides." The term “ambidexter” in English was originally
used in a legal sense of jurors who accepted bribes from both parties for their
verdict.
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Chapter III
HISTORY
A. Greeks of the Ancient World
The Greeks encouraged and tried to promote ambidexterity because it
was simply logical in sports and battle to be adept with both hands instead of
one. By combining the Phoenician style of writing right to left with their own left to
right system, the Greeks created a reading and writing system called
Boustrophedon, where the lines ran alternately right-to-left and left-to-right. With
alternating sweeps of the eyes back and forth, reading was more swift and
efficient.
B. Ambidextrous and Left-handed People
 Left-handers were severely discriminated against during the 18 th and 19th
centuries and it was often “beaten out” of people.
 In adulthood, left-handers were often shunned by society, resulting in
fewer marrying and reproducing.
 As discrimination was reduced in the 20 th century, the number of natural
left-handers who stayed left-handed increased.
 The rising of motherhood contributed as, statistically, older mothers are
more likely to give birth to left handed children.
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C. Characteristics of Ambidextrous People
Studies have shown that ambidextrous people are more emotionally
independent, more determined, more adaptable to new situations and more apt
to handle problems without giving up.
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Chapter IV
COMPARISON: LATERALITY, CROSS-DOMINANCE, AND AMBIDEXTERITY
“Laterality is the preference that most humans show for one side of their body
over the other.”
Ex. Hand, Eye, Leg and Ear
A. Characteristics of Mixed-Laterality People
1. People with mixed-laterality are clumsy and make poor athlete.
2. People with mixed-laterality are easily flustered.
“Cross-dominance, also known as mixed-handedness, mixed-dominance, or
hand- confusion is a fine motor skill manifestation where a person favors one
hand for some tasks and the other hand for others.”
Ex. A cross-dominant person might write with the left hand but throw primarily
with the right.
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“Ambidexterity is the ability to use both your hands with equal ease or facility,
but if you’re armless, it could be your feet.”
Ex. Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (1802-1873) could draw with both hands
simultaneously -- a horse's head with one hand and a stag's head with the other.
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Chapter V
KINDS OF AMBIDEXTERITY
A. Inborn Ambidexterity
People that are naturally ambidextrous are rare, with only one (1) out of
one hundred (100) people being naturally Ambidextrous.
True ambidexterity - is when a person can carry out all tasks with equal
proficiency with both hands — is much rarer.
B. Learned Ambidexterity
It is more common to find people considered ambidextrous who were
originally left-handed and who learned to be ambidextrous either deliberately or
during childhood institutions such as school where right-handed habits are
emphasized or required.
Penwald Ambidextrous - People that are made ambidextrous
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1. Consequences of Converting Handedness
Converting handedness, whether it is from a dominant left hand to
a non-dominant right or the reverse, (especially in writing) does not result
in a cerebral dominance but rather a multi-faced cerebral disturbance or
damaged.
The outside influence of the socio-cultural environment, namely the
"right-handed culture", may have life-long, detrimental effects on left-
handed children, the overwhelming majority of whom are exposed to
environmental attitudes like "Left-handedness is an aberration" or “We live
in a world that is set-up for right-handers". The process of converting the
child can then have massive detrimental effects that can extend across
the child's entire life.
a. Primary Consequences
1. Disturbances in memory for all three areas of information
processing (encoding, storage, and recall)
2. Difficulty in concentration (early fatigue)
3. Difficulty in reading and spelling (Legasthenic problems)
4. Spatial disorientation (e.g. confusion of left and right)
5. Speech problems ranging from stammering to stuttering
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6. Fine motor disturbances evident in writing and other activities
requiring precision.
b. Secondary Consequences
1. Feelings of inferiority
2. Shyness
3. Introversion
4. Overcompensation
5. Defiance to belligerence
6. Braggadocio (Empty or pretentious bragging)
7. Provocative behavior
8. Bed-wetting
9. Nail-biting
10. Personality disturbance
11. Emotional problems that can last into adulthood
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Chapter VI
ADVANTAGES OF AMBIDEXTERITY
A. Ambidexterity Means Better Memory
Having a close left-handed relative makes right-handers better at
remembering events than those from exclusively right-handed families, new
research suggests. There is a downside, however, as members of these
ambidextrous families may be relatively impaired in their ability to recall facts.
According to the study, having a left-handed sibling or parent means the
organization of your brain is intermediate between a pure ‘lefty’ and a pure
‘righty’.
1. Two Types of Memory
1.1 Episodic Memories- are those with context that is separate
from the information itself.
Ex. Where you park your car or where you left your keys
2.1 Semantic Memories- are things “you just know”.
Ex. The date of the Fall of Bataan or the recipe of Apple Pie
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Different brain hemispheres play in memory. The information itself
tends to be stored in the left hemisphere, while the place and time context
resides in the right.
B. Fighting Advantage
Lefties have had the upper hand in hand-to-hand combat since the Bronze
Age, and even today, in the boxing ring. Left-handedness could be beneficial in
times of violence, and genetically passed from one generation of fighters to the
next.
While a righty fought with a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left,
a left-handed swordsman could make strong surprise attack on the opponent's
unprotected right side.
The concept of lefties advantageously killing off all the righties doesn't
hold strong, however. The 9-to-1 ratio of right- to left-handedness existed long
before the advent of sword and shield warfare and continues to this day.
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Chapter VII
DISADVANTAGE OF AMBIDEXTERITY
A. Several Problems are linked to Ambidexterity
Children who are ambidextrous are more likely to have learning and language
difficulties than those who are right or left-handed, according to research.
1. Linguistic Problems
In typical brains, language is rooted in the left hemisphere, and net
works that control attention are anchored in the right—but brains without a
dominant hemisphere may be working and communicating differently.
At age 8, children who were "mixed-handed" were twice as
likely as right-handed children to have difficulties with schoolwork or
language, such as with reading or their ability speak as well as their peers.
Possible problem: SCHIZOPHRENIA
2. Scholastic Problems and Attention Related Problems
At age 16, mixed-handed children were twice as likely to have
problems with language at school and scores on assessment tests
indicating they likely had ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD include excessive
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fidgeting, inability to focus on a task or concentrate, impulsivity and
poor school performance.
Mixed-hand children were also more likely to have signs of psychiatric
disturbances.
One explanation for why mixed-handed children may be more prone to
language difficulties and ADHD is because being ambidextrous is a proxy for
a typical cerebral lateralization, or differences in the structure and function of
the brain.
Left-hander and Ambidextrous people tend to be over-represented at both
ends of the intellectual scale and as well as geniuses the group also produce
a disproportionately high number of those with learning handicaps. There
have been suggestions of links between left-handedness and dyslexia,
stuttering and child autism among others
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Chapter VIII
CAUSES OF AMBIDEXTERITY
Somatic or physiological factors can result in brain injuries that are mostly
short-term in nature which can also then disturb the dominance in the cerebral
hemispheres with differing degrees of effect. Such disturbances may manifest
themselves in unstable and variable handedness. This manifestation then
precipitates the label "ambidexterity" or an incorrect evaluation of handedness.
A. Insufficient Oxygen Supply to the Brain during Perinatal Period
“Women who experienced stressful life events or depression during
pregnancy were more likely to give birth to children who became mixed handed.”
Children who suffered oxygen deprivation during the perinatal
period (from the sixth month of pregnancy to the end of the first year) also suffer
more serious injuries in the dominant side of the brain than in the non-dominant
side. This then has an effect upon the phenomenological development of
handedness manifested and explains why many of these children vary the use of
their hands until they reach school age. Only much later will they settle upon
using one hand. In the literature and in experimental testing, these children are
often labeled "ambidextrous". And in regard to their school performance, they are
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frequently labeled "problem cases".
This also explains why during the period of time in which the cerebral
hemispheric dominance normally begins to manifest itself through hand
preference, the correct handedness of many children cannot be reliably
determined and how then the correct handedness of these children may be
unintentionally converted. Based on the experiences of real case studies,
children, who have suffered cerebral damage and who have difficulty in school,
may experience a gradual reduction in the resulting impairments until the age of
puberty is reached. At this time, the early disabilities are compensated for, often
disappear completely, or only surface in the form of unexpectedly flipping letters
or numbers when writing quickly.
When the brain is deprived of oxygen, the dominant cerebral hemisphere
is the most significantly damaged for the very reason that it must fulfill more of
the brain's functions and has consequently a greater oxygen requirement.
Through oxygen deprivation, disturbances in the naturally dominant cerebral
hemisphere are manifest. This means that a child who suffered such damages
switches back and forth between using the left and right hand and may at first
even perform worse with the dominant hand than with the non-dominant hand
while, for example, drawing or writing.
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B. Other Theories
Evolutionary Theory (The warrior and his shield)
This theory attempts to explain why left-handedness is rare by the position
of a warrior's shield and his heart. Basically, since the heart is on the left side of
the body, a right-handed warrior (who holds his shield with his left hand to free
the right hand for a weapon) would be better able to protect his heart and
therefore more likely to survive.
Biological Theory
There is strong evidence that prenatal testosterone contributes to brain
organization. One theory is that high levels of prenatal testosterone results in a
higher incidence of left-handedness.
Environmental Theory (Birth Stress)
Its basic premise is that left-handedness is due to brain damage during
the birth process. Difficult or stressful births happen far more commonly among
babies who grow up to be left-handed or ambidextrous. Birth stress is also
associated with a number of birth defects and complications, including cerebral
palsy and autism.

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Genetic Theory
Some think there may be a "Left-Handed Gene" - some think that Left-
people just LACK the "Right-Handed gene" and that there is a 50/50 chance of a
person who lacks the "Right-Handed Gene" being either left-handed or right-
handed. The latter theory would explain why identical twins occasionally have
different handedness, and why two strongly left-handed parents don't always
have left-handed children (as they theoretically should if both their genotypes
were rr).
Ambidexterity is therefore neither a goal to aspire to nor is it a gift
from God. Instead, it is first and foremost the mark of brain damage.
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Chapter IX
LISTS OF OCCUPATIONS, SPORTS, AND ACTIVITIES WHERE

AMBIDEXTERITY IS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR
A. In Sports
Players who can use both hands and sometimes feet are quite
advantageous. That is why they are highly prized and sought after.
Lawn Tennis - a player may be able to reach balls on the backhand side more
easily if they're able to use the weaker hand.
Ex. Luke Jensen and Maria Sharapova
Golf - some players find cross-dominance advantageous in golf, especially if a
left-handed player utilizes right-handed clubs. Having more precise coordination
with the left hand is believed to allow better-controlled and stronger drives.
Ex. Mac O'Grady, Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir are both right-handers who
golf left-handed; Ben Hogan was the opposite, being a natural left-hander
who played golf right-handed. This is known as cross-dominance or
mixed-handedness.
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Athletics
Ex. Jonathan Edwards a now-retired British triple jumper, who still holds the
world record in Athletics, was known to be able to kick with either foot
while he played rugby. He displayed unprecedented ambidexterity while
jumping off either foot during his competitive jumps.
Rugby Union
Ex. Jonny Wilkinson is a prime example of a player who is equally good at
kicking off both feet. He normally place kicks using his left, but dropped
the goal that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 with his right.
Basketball
Ex. Andrew Bogut is stronger in the post with his left handed hook shot than
he is with his natural right.
Brothers Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol can make hook shots with both right
and left hand while both their dominant hand is right.
Los Angeles Lakers left-handed point guard Derek Fisher used to dunk
with his right hand for his early years.
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Candace Parker, forward for the WNBA Sparks team, also has equal
dominance with both hands.
Baseball
“Switch hitting is highly prized because a batter usually has a higher statistical
chance of successfully hitting the baseball when it is thrown by an opposite-
handed pitcher.”
Ex. Pete Rose, who had more hits than anyone else in the history of Major
League Baseball, was a switch hitter. An ambidextrous hitter can bat from
whichever side is most advantageous to him in that situation.
Ambidextrous pitchers
Ex. Tony Mullane won 284 games in the 19th century.
Elton Chamberlain and Larry Corcoran were notable ambidextrous
pitchers.
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Billy Wagner was a natural right-handed pitcher in his youth, but after
breaking his throwing arm twice, he taught himself how to use his left arm
by throwing nothing but fastballs against a barn wall. He became a
dominant left-handed relief pitcher, most known for his 100+ MPH fastball.
Although it is quite uncommon, in badminton, ambidextrous players are
able to switch the racquet between their hands, often to get to the awkward
backhand corner quickly. As badminton can be a very fast sport, at professional
levels of play, players might not have time to switch the racquet, as this disrupts
their reaction time.
B. In Arts
Leonardo da Vinci was ambidextrous, and he wrote his notes backwards with
his left hand. He then read them with a mirror.
Michelangelo (1475-1564) was a multi-faceted genius like Leonardo da Vinci.
He often painted with both hands. When one got tired, he switched to the other.
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Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (1802-1873) British artist could draw with both
hands simultaneously -- a horse's head with one hand and a stag's head with the
other. He taught drawing and etching to Queen Victoria who was a lefty that
became ambidextrous.
Ludwig van Beethoven - a German composer and pianist.
Tom Cruise - learned how to use two weapons at once. He can also switch
hands while playing pool.
Shigeru Miyamoto - is ambidextrous, though he prefers using his left hand. As a
video game designer, he made some of his characters, such as Mario and Link,
left-handed or ambidextrous.
Oscar Wilde - Playwright and poet
C. In Science and Engineering
Albert Einstein – Scientist
Richard Feynman – Scientist
Nikola Tesla - Engineer and Inventor

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D. Other Notable Ambidextrous Persons
Benjamin Franklin was also ambidextrous and signed the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution with his left hand.
U.S. 20th president, James Garfield was a well educated backwoodsman born
in a log cabin. Although he could write with either hand with equal ease, he could
also write Greek with his left hand and Latin with his right hand simultaneously.
Harry Kahne demonstrated his mental dexterity in 1922 by performing several
mental operations simultaneously. While one hand was writing mirror language,
the other hand intermingled upside down and backward letters.
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Chapter X
BRAIN LATERALIZATION
One of the first things that anatomy students learn is that the brain is
divided down the center. In most people, one half, or hemisphere, plays a
dominant role. Handedness has long been a crude measure of hemispheric
dominance, because each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the
body. Right-handers, for instance, are likely to have dominant left hemispheres.
Today researchers are realizing that studying ambidextrous children (who have
no dominant hand) could yield insights into the consequences of an unusually
symmetrical brain.
A. Left and Right Hemispheres Crossover
The handedness of a human being is an expression of an inborn, innate
lateralization of the cerebral hemispheres where one side dominates. In the
neural system, the tracts are "crossed". Thus, a dominant right cerebral
hemisphere results in a dominant left hand and a dominance of the left cerebral
hemisphere is responsible for right-handedness.
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With the exception of human beings and possibly songbirds, the Greater
apes, and certain other mammals, the cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of
the brain) of Earth's creatures are essentially alike, or symmetrical, both in
appearance and in function. Human cerebral hemispheres and those of the
exceptions noted above, develop asymmetrically in terms of function. The most
noticeable outward effect of the asymmetry of the human brain is handedness,
which seems to be unique to human beings and possibly chimpanzees.
For the past two hundred years or so, scientists have known that language
and language-related capabilities are mainly located in the left hemispheres of
the majority of individuals— approximately 98 percent of right-handers and about
two-thirds of left-handers. Knowledge that the left half of the brain is specialized
for language functions was largely derived from observations of the effects of
brain injuries. It was apparent, for example, that an injury to the left side of the
brain was more likely to cause a loss of speech capability than an injury of equal
severity to the right side.
Because speech and language are such vitally important human
capabilities, nineteenth-century scientists named the left hemisphere the
"dominant," "leading," or "major" hemisphere. Scientists named the right brain the
"subordinate" or "minor" hemisphere. The general view, which prevailed until
fairly recently, was that the right half of the brain was less advanced, less
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evolved than the left half—a mute twin with lower-level capabilities, directed and
carried along by the verbal left hemisphere.
B. Left Brain and Right Brain Comparison
Intellect Intuition
Convergent Divergent
Digital Analogical
Secondary Primary
Abstract Concrete
Directed Free
Propositional Imaginative
Analytic Relational
Lineal Non-lineal
Rational Intuitive
Sequential Multiple
Analytic Holistic
Objective Subjective
Successive Simultaneous
Looks at parts Looks at whole
“Right brained” person may include an expansive imagination, artistic abilities,
higher inclination towards risks and possession of philosophical qualities.
Ex. Artists and Poets
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“Left brained” person are more inclined toward safety first, are practical, have
sense of order, and possess good comprehension skills.
Ex. Engineers and Scientists
In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while
downplaying the right-brain ones.
1. How Right-Brain vs. Left-Brain Thinking Impacts Learning
Curriculum – In order to be more “whole-brained” in their
orientation, schools needs to give equal weight to the arts,
creativity, and the skills of imagination and synthesis.
Instruction – To foster a more whole-brained scholastic
experience, Teachers should use instruction techniques that
connect with both sides of the brain. They can increase their
classroom’s right-brain learning activities by incorporating more
patterning, metaphors, analogies, role playing, visuals, and
movement into their reading, calculation, and analytical activities.
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Assessment – For a more accurate whole-brained evaluation of
student learning, educators must develop new forms of assessment
that honours right-brained talents and skills.
Chapter XI
Achieving an AMBIDEXTROUS MINDSET
A. WHOLE BRAIN THINKING
Whole Brain thinking is when the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain
unify to create a "whole brain thinking" pattern. Using whole brain thinking
enhances living, logic, intuition, analytical skills, mechanical reasoning and
artistic ability. Whole brain thinking essentially enriches brain functioning to a
superior level of heightened awareness.
Clarification of whole brain thinking is that persons who use whole brain
thinking have the ability not only to be creative in the arts, but could possibly fix a
diesel truck engine as well. By using whole brain thinking, the impossible
becomes possible.
1. Famous Persons Who Used Whole Brain Thinking
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Picasso, whilst he was an artist, an activity primarily associated with the
right brain, Picasso made many margin notes about the specific
compilation of colours – showing left brain thinking too. What’s more, his
Cubist paintings introduced a mathematical (left brain) concept to his
work.
Einstein, a scientist – an activity you’d normally associate with left-brain.
Einstein was nearly thrown out of school for day dreaming. His theory of
relativity was born out of daydreaming about riding sunbeams through
space.
Lewis Carol, as well as writing Alice in Wonderland and nonsense poems
such as ‘Jabberwocky’ (right brain), Lewis Carol was an expert
mathematician as well as being a deacon in holy orders and a university
lecturer.
Leonardo da Vinci is possibly the greatest example of a whole brain
thinker. He was an artist (he painted the Mona Lisa), and sculptor, as well
as being a scientist, inventor, architect and mechanic. He designed a
flying machine that resembled the modern helicopter more than 400 years
before it became a reality.
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Frederic Bartholdi
Frederic Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty, utilized whole
brain thinking -- not only did he create the Statue of Liberty; he also
engineered the scientific dimensions of his creation.
2. Activities where both brain hemispheres are working
When we multi-task, juggle home and work, hold a phone
conference and take notes simultaneously -- we are incorporating an
ambidextrous mindset. No, perhaps we don't all use both hands to achieve
these tasks, but we are using both brain hemispheres to accomplish our
deadlines and goals.
Reflective thinking, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Human
Consciousness Studies, empowerment training and meditation are all
superb tools to achieving an ambidextrous mindset; also known as whole
brain thinking.
Whether you're juggling a career and home, children and spouse,
or merely trying to multi-task at your engineer's or computer desk,
achieving an ambidextrous mindset is what enables us to effectively do
the things we do. Imagine the profound potential and human resolve we
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could discover if we only took the extra steps to tap into our greatest
resource: Ourselves.
Chapter XII
HOW TO BE AMBIDEXTROUS EXERCISES
An autopsy of Einstein's brain revealed a larger profusion of superficial
capillaries interlacing the cerebral cortex than the average brain, as well as an
additional amount of Glial cells. Obviously, the more we use and exercise our
brain, the more it physically grows.
The following exercises are designed to task the little used areas of the
brain to allow such growth. To be able to use both hands equally well, practice is
the key.
 During the day, use your left hand more (if you're right-handed) by
consciously switching when you're about ready to do something -- pouring
a glass of milk, bouncing a ball, flipping and picking up coins, hammering
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a nail, cutting and buttering bread, stirring your coffee, swirling water in a
glass, twisting off bottle caps, etc.
 Wherever you would use your one hand, use the other instead -- putting a
key in the door, combing your hair, brushing your teeth, shaving, grasping
objects, etc.
 When putting on your clothes; put your other hand or foot into the garment
first. Thread your belt around your waist in the opposite direction. Put your
watch on your other hand.
 Use your other hand in sports -- hitting a baseball or a tennis ball, throwing
a football, shooting a basketball, etc.
 Practice stirring 2 cups of tea simultaneously, swirling 2 half filled glasses
of water clockwise and counter clockwise, and bouncing two balls at the
same time. Get used to the kinesthetic feeling of using the muscles of both
your hands and arms together.
 Catch 2 balls thrown to you at the same time.
 Throw 2 paper wads at the same time into the same paper basket -- one
underhand and the other overhand.
 Throw 2 darts simultaneously at a dart board with both hands.
 Write with both hands at the same time.

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 Draw a butterfly, a vase or a geometric figure using both hands
simultaneously.
 Many musical instruments are played ambidextrously, and many athletes
are adept at using both of their hands.
 Since swimming is an ambidextrous activity, teaching dyslectic children to
swim often helps them to read and write normally because it balances the
brain hemispheres.
1. Mirror Writing
Mirror Writing is considered to be the writing in the overturn
direction than is usual for a known language such that the
outcome is the mirror image of standard writing. It appears
standard when it is reflected in a mirror.
An example of mirror writing can be seen on the façade of
ambulances, where the word "AMBULANCE" is frequently
written in incredibly big mirrored text, so that drivers see the word the
correct way just about in their rear-view mirror.
While mirror writing is considered to be
normal during the preschool phase, it should alert parents and
teachers if it continues after formal reading and writing
instruction has begun. If it continues it indicates a severe
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visual perceptual deficit, especially with visual discrimination
of position in space. More specifically, the person is unable to
discriminate between left and right, has a problem with the
reading direction, and might also be unable to cross the midline.
Deficits in other foundational skills might contribute to
this problem.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance
painter, most popularly known for his fresco The Last Supper and
his painting Mona Lisa, was also a sculptor, engineer, architect,
inventor, scientist and naturalist. And he is the most celebrated
mirror writer to date. He usually used mirror writing, starting at the
right side of the page and moving to the left. Only when he was
writing something intended for other people did he write in the
normal direction.
No one knows the true reason Leonardo used mirror writing,
though several possibilities have been suggested:
 He was trying to make it harder for people to read his notes and
steal his ideas.
37
 He was hiding his scientific ideas from the powerful Roman
Catholic Church, whose teachings sometimes disagreed with
what Leonardo observed.
 Writing left handed from left to right was messy because the ink
just put down would smear as his hand moved across it.
Leonardo chose to write in reverse because it prevented
smudging.
Chapter XIII
CONCLUSION
Based on the data that I gathered I found out that ambidexterity is a very
convenient ability. It is an essential factor in some sports and occupation. But
most importantly it allows you to use your both brain hemispheres that makes
impossible, possible. By learning wholebrain thinking, we open new horizons and
ways of perceiving things that makes us a better person in physical and
psychological aspects.
But Ambidexterity comes with consequences and disadvantages. Because
I also found out that many brain problems are linked with Ambidexterity, like
Autism and Dyslexia.
Many studies were conducted to find what really causes Ambidexterity,

38
but none of those were proven. Why is it so? Because ambidexterity has
something to do with the function of the human brain, the human brain that even
today remains a mystery to the mankind.
This research paper will make us welcoming and open-minded about the
differences ambidextrous people have. It will also promote awareness and supply
correct information on dealing with this uncommon condition.
Chapter XIV
FINAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOK:
Edwards, Betty.(1979-1999).The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

New York: Penguin Putnam Inc.
WEBSITES:
Ambidexterity.(2011).
Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambidexterity/
(February 15, 2011)
Anthes, Emily. (2010).Ambidexterity and ADHD: are they linked?

Available:http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ambidexterity-
and-adhd/
(August 5, 2010)
39
Bailey, CarolAnn L.(2005).Achieving an ambidextrous mindset.
Available:http://www.holisticjunction.com/articles/Achieving-an-
Ambidextrous-Mindset.html/
(March 15, 2007)
Binns, Corey. (2004).What makes a lefty: myths and mysteries persist.

Available:http://www.livescience.com/655-lefty-myths-mysteries-
persist.html/
(March 21, 2006)
Imperial College London (2010, January 27). Mixed-handed children more likely
to have mental health, language and scholastic problems, study finds.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2010/01/100125094511.htm/
Research into left-handed and its effect. (1999-2011).

Available:
http://www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk/research/lefthanded- research.html/
Sattler, Johanna Barbara.(1993).“Ambidextrous people" are brain-damaged.

Available: http://www.linkshaender-beratung.de/english/Ambidextrous.htm/
Saunders, Melvin D.(1996-2010).Ambidexterity exercise.

Available: http://www.mind-course.com/ambi.html/
What is mirror writing?.(2005-2010).

Available: http://www.learninginfo.org/mirror-writing.htm/
Whole brain thinking.(2003).

Available: http://www.trainerslibrary.com/Previews/WholeBrain/CT-
wholebrain.pdf/
40
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Tomas Del Rosario College

Ambidexterity, a state of being equally adept in the use of both

both hands comfortably and simultaneously!

recently, scientists have discovered that Ambidexterity is linked to many brain

not abnormal but different, different in a good way.

B. Statement of the Problem

This paper is the study of Ambidexterity, a famous variety of Cross-

dominance. It explains why Brain Lateralization affects human handedness,

Specifically, it aims to discuss the following points:

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Ambidexterity?

3. Is Ambidexterity an inborn trait? A disease?

4. What are the lists of occupations, sports and activities where

5. Why left-handed and ambidextrous people often excel in the

field of Arts and Science?

C. Objectives of the Problems

1. To explain the meaning of Ambidexterity, Cross-Dominance, and

2. To study the functions of the two brain hemispheres and

their roles in human handedness.

3. To discuss the consequences of converting

handedness, especially in writing.

4. To prevent pregnant mothers from giving birth

to a child with cerebral disturbances.

5. To unlock the mystery behind the left-

handed and ambidextrous brain.

D. Importance of the Problem

This study is important because of the following reasons:

1. It promotes awareness to people with Ambidexterity.

2. It makes the society welcoming and open-minded about the

differences of ambidextrous people.

3. It provides not only information but also warnings about the

problems that are linked to Ambidexterity.

1. Handedness – is an unequal distribution of fine motor skill between the left

and right hand.

2. Cerebrum/Cerebral – is the largest, most superior, and the upper most

portion of the human brain.

3. Schizophrenia – is a mental disorder characterized by disintegration of

thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly

manifests as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions,

disorganized speech and thinking.

4. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) – It is a neurobehavioral

developmental disorder that is primarily characterized by "the co-existence

of attention problems and hyperactivity with each behavior occurring

infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.

ease on specific or all tasks.

In modern times, it is more common to find people considered

ambidextrous who were originally left handed and who learned to be

ambidextrous either deliberately or during childhood institutions such as schools

handedly due to the rarity or lack of left-handed models. Thus, left-handed

than right-handers (who are not subjected to left-favoring devices). Right-handers

may become ambidextrous due to an injury of their right hand or arm.

"both," and dexter, meaning "right or favorable.” Thus, “ambidextrous” is literally

A. Greeks of the Ancient World

The Greeks encouraged and tried to promote ambidexterity because it

B. Ambidextrous and Left-handed People

 Left-handers were severely discriminated against during the 18 th and 19th

centuries and it was often “beaten out” of people.

 In adulthood, left-handers were often shunned by society, resulting in

fewer marrying and reproducing.

 As discrimination was reduced in the 20 th century, the number of natural

left-handers who stayed left-handed increased.

 The rising of motherhood contributed as, statistically, older mothers are

more likely to give birth to left handed children.

C. Characteristics of Ambidextrous People