The comforting substrate and the right brain

Journal/Book: Bull Menninger Clin. 1995; 59: Box 829, Topeka, KS 66601. Menninger Foundation. 480-486.

Abstract: The author tested the hypothesis that the comforting substrate is located in the right parietal area of the brain. Sixty subjects (39 women, 21 men) were given two forced-choice tasks treated as comparison experiments. Given the choice between two identical bright red balls (one on the left and one on the right), only 20% of the right-handed subjects chose the left ball (p < .01). Given the choice between identical stuffed, white bears, which were described as grieving and urgently in need of comfort, 54.5% of the subjects chose the left bear (p < .05, with ball selection as control and analyzed by the binomial). Considering only discordant pairs (left bear-right ball combination or vice versa), 20 of 23 subjects chose the left bear (p < .0002). Results suggest the possibility that right-brain lateralization of the comforting substrate is more pronounced among females, especially mothers.

Note: Article PC Horton, 234 Hobart St, Meriden, CT 06450 USA

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