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Lateralization of Emotional and Cognitive Function in Higher Vertebrates, with Special Reference to the Domestic Chick

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Advances in Vertebrate Neuroethology

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 56))

Abstract

Evidence of differences of function between the right and left sides of the brain is now available for a number of groups of mammals (rodents, lagomorphs, primates) and birds (passerines, gallinaceous birds, parrots). In some cases there are suggestive resemblances to the human condition which imply either convergent evolution of lateralization in response to similar selection pressures or its retention from common ancestors. Throughout this article, “lateralization” is used of differences between right and left sides of the brain which hold for a species — or, where stated, a population. Andrew et al. (1982) have even argued that lateralization of function may be as ancient as the earliest chordates. In either case it is important to establish how far the different examples of species lateralization do show similar features. Since there is incomparably more data for left-right differences in man than in any other species, comparison with man is reasonable as well as irresistible. In order to do this, it is necessary not only to summarize a large literature but to chose amongst interpretations which are sometimes conflicting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, BNl 9QG, UK

    Richard J. Andrew

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  1. Richard J. Andrew
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  1. University of Kassel, Kassel, Federal Republic of Germany

    Jörg-Peter Ewert

  2. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Robert R. Capranica

  3. Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA

    David J. Ingle

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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

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Andrew, R.J. (1983). Lateralization of Emotional and Cognitive Function in Higher Vertebrates, with Special Reference to the Domestic Chick. In: Ewert, JP., Capranica, R.R., Ingle, D.J. (eds) Advances in Vertebrate Neuroethology. NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series, vol 56. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4412-4_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4412-4_22

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