Differences in Task and Use of Language: A Study of Lateral Eye Movement

Abstract
The lateral eye movements of 25 right-handed, native-English speakers 18 to 30 yr. of age were recorded. Both task and individual differences in the utilization of cerebral hemispheres were found. Earlier findings of task differences in the direction of eye movements for verbal and spatial questions were confirmed, and previous evidence of the involvement of the right hemisphere with “unpleasant” emotion was supported. No differences in performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test were found between consistent and inconsistent eye movers. Individual differences between right-eye movers and left-eye movers were found in their choice of college majors, Scholastic Aptitude Test performance, and in their course preferences. The current study also presents evidence of differences in language use by adults which seem related to cerebral hemispheric activity.