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Science 30 July 1976:
Vol. 193. no. 4251, pp. 425 - 427
DOI: 10.1126/science.935879
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Articles

Science, Vol 193, Issue 4251, 425-427
Copyright © 1976 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Sex and the single hemisphere: specialization of the right hemisphere for spatial processing

DF Witelson

Specialization of the right hemisphere for spatial processing was studied in 200 normal boys and girls between 6 and 13 years of age. Boys performed in a manner consistent with right hemisphere specialization as early as the age of 6. Girls showed evidence of bilateral representation until the age of 13. The results suggest a sexual dimorphism in the neural organization underlying cognition during a major period of childhood. The results, which have implications for reading instruction, are discussed in terms of a possible sex difference in neural plasticity during development and the clinical consequences of such a difference.


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