Asymmetries in hand movement during block design construction.

Changes in patterns of hand use were examined as a function of task demand characteristics. Using blocks, right- and left-handed male and female subjects were asked to simultaneously construct two replicas of presented patterns, one with each hand. With the presentation of visual-spatial patterns, a shift toward use of the left hand from baseline was observed. This change was least evident among right-handed females. The observed shift in hand use toward the left on a visuo-constructive block design task might suggest differential involvement of the right hemisphere with changes in task demand characteristics.