Left-Handed People Are Truly Exceptional, According to Science

Curiosities
year ago

Left-handed people make up about 10% of the world’s population, and some of the most famous and smartest people in history were lefties. A long time ago, this trait was seen as bad, and people were considered outcasts because of it. However, as centuries went by and science evolved, it was made clear that lefties are equally smart, if not smarter, in certain areas than right-handed people.

Bright Side discovered some amazing facts about left-handed people and what makes them really special.

Lefties make better artists.

Research published in the American Journal of Psychology suggests that left-handed people have the upper hand when it comes to creativity. The study shows that they’re better at exploring various out-of-the-box solutions for a problem. A study conducted by The Left-Handers’ Club (a pro-leftie group dedicated to research on left-handedness) with over 2,000 left-handed, right-handed, and ambidextrous participants found that lefties tend to be drawn more to careers in the arts, music, sports, and information technology fields.

They have an advantage in sports.

Lefties are in a position of advantage in one-on-one sports like tennis, badminton, and boxing. In his book, The Puzzle of Left-Handedness, linguist Rik Smits explains that both left-handed and right-handed athletes usually train against right-handed opponents. So when right-handed players face a left-handed opponent, they are unprepared. On the other hand, the left-handed player is prepared for a right-handed opponent.

They make good fighters.

study from 2019 found that in boxing, 17% of the male fighters and 12.5% of the female fighters are left-handed. That, compared to the 10% left-handed general population, is a big percentage. The study also found that these fighters had more than a 50% chance of winning their fights against right-handed people. This means that those who fight with their left hand are more successful in fighting sports.

Bonus: All lefties can relate to this.

How many left-handed people do you know? Do you agree with the points described above? If you’re a lefty please leave a comment below and share this article with your friends!

Please note: This article was updated in March 2022 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.

Comments

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Do you know that, in islamic country being left handed are forbidden. It makes most of the child born left-handed are driven to be right=handed. As a result some become ambidextrous. Including me, i have met 3 other persons who also ambidextrous by now. One of them even can writes different sentences with each hands at the same time

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But if one is righty and can do all work with left hand like writing , playing then what about them?

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So 20% of MENSA are left handed therefore 80% are right handed... How is that impressive? Being a leftie I found this article underwhelming with nothing impressive or surprising in it.

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I'm a lefty I gave good handwriting that's about it .if it's something else I am gifted with by being
Left-handed I have yet to discover it.

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I am a lefty as well....I feel blessed coz I am good at many things....like cooking,painting,dancing and even I am good at my work as well....

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Instead of a photo of just Einstein's face, how about you come up with a photo of him writing... with his left hand? I wonder if you can do it.

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My father was left handed and I have 2 siblings that are left handed . I also have daughter that is left handed. I am very ambidextrous. I think being left handed is special.

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I am a left-handed person. I believe I have special ability more than other individuals. I also believe because of it I am an outcast to others and have jealousy over me. I sometimes find it hard to be left handed but being left-handed is better than right handed cuz we have more skills and talents. Proud to be a left-handed person.

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In our family there are 6 lefties. Most of us have a good musical intelligence. What I love most about being a leftie is that we are very rare and that makes us special.

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Yes I am left handed and it was frowned upon when I little by the Catholic Church.

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When you fire an automatic rifle (like the M16) the discharged casing burns your neck

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Growing up in the 50's the teachers tried to force me to write with my right hand. Till today I hold my pen so that no one can take it from me.

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