Relationship of lateral eye-movement to cognitive mode, hemispheric interaction, and choice of college major.

The direction and frequency of lateral eye-movements and frequency of midline crossovers, while reflecting on selected questions, are related to college major. Students in language-related fields produce larger ratios of right to left lateral movements, and fewer left movements, than do other students. Students in visual arts produce greater total numbers of movements as well as more frequent midline crossovers. Moreover, cognitive demands of questions (verbal or nonverbal) influence direction of movement most prominently in students majoring in other than art and language-related fields. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive mode, hemispheric interaction, and choice of college major.