The words “right”, “correct” and “righteous” have the same root in many languages. Psycholinguist Daniel Casasanto of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (Netherlands) asked whether the right-right connection depends on which hand we have.
In several experiments, right-handers and left-handers were evaluated according to different criteria (intelligentness, honesty, attractiveness) of characters located on the page in two rows. Right-handers associated the right side with the concept of “good”, and left-handers associated the left side, and neither of them were aware of these preferences. Then 370 people chose between two identical products of different brands and two equal applicants for a new position. 73% of participants preferred products and candidates located on the side of their dominant hand. This not the most significant factor clearly affects our choice: for example, if right-handers predominate among voters, candidates whose names are located on the right side of the ballot will have a certain advantage in the elections. And if your boss is left-handed, communication with him may be a little more successful if you sit on his left.
See also:
- How does our picture of the world depend on language?
- Right-handers and left-handers: whose brain works faster?