The factor structure of handedness in India.

Two large surveys of hand preference were carried out in India, and compared to a large North American sample. Factor analysis indicated virtually identical factor structures in the three samples, with two primary factors involving skilled and unskilled activities. In the Indian samples, men were generally more likely to be left-handed than were women, and women were more likely to give extreme responses on the preference inventory. These data are consistent with findings from North American samples. The prevalence of left-handedness was significantly lower in the second Indian sample than in the other two samples. This may be indicative of a lower prevalence of left-handedness in the Indian population.