So you think you're right handed? You may be surprised!

Your dominant hand is believed to say a lot about you and your personality. Our brains are contra lateral, meaning that each side of the body is controlled by the opposing side of the brain. Those who are right handed are believed to have better language abilities, are more logical and detail oriented, and are less emotional. Left handed people are believed to be more creative and artistic, and are also thought to be better at grasping subjects like maths, as well as having an advantage in certain sports, such as tennis, boxing, and baseball.

38% of us should be left handed!

It is thought that our natural ‘handedness’ originates even before birth, but is also subject to the nature or nurture debate; around 10-14% of us are left handed, but it is believed that this should be a lot higher, at around 38%. Left handedness has been seen as a negative thing over the years, and in many cultures it is actively discouraged and feared, with many left handed children being made to use their right hand growing up.

Although you may favour one hand when writing, this does not necessarily mean that it is your dominant hand, and you could have grown up believing that one hand was more dominant when in fact, it was the other one. Below is a quick, fun test to see which your more dominant hand is. Have a go, and make a note of your score; you might be surprised by what you find!

Are you left or right handed?

1. Draw the profile of an animal. Which direction is the animal facing?
2. Draw a circle, and include an arrow indicating which direction the circle is going in. Did you draw it clockwise or anticlockwise?
3. Clap your hands. Which hand does the striking?
4. Tilt your head to one side. Which shoulder does it lean toward?
5. Scratch an itch in the middle of your back. Which hand do you use?
6. Count to three on one hand, using the forefinger of your other hand. Which forefinger do you use?
7. Interlock your hands. Which thumb is on top?
8. Stare at an object in the distance, and point directly at it with your forefinger. Close one eye, and then change eyes. Which eye was open when the object remained in line with your finger? (When your dominant eye is closed, the object will move appear to move.)

Both the animal and the arrow in the circle should logically face your dominant side, and the hand you strike, scratch, and count with, should be your dominant hand. Your head should also automatically go towards your dominant shoulder.

Which side did you use the most? Many people will be surprised by the fact that they subconsciously use their supposed dominant hand less than they thought! Are you more left or right handed? Is this result different to what you thought? Let us know in the comments below, and share with your friends to see what result they get!