Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study investigated the language-spatial lateralization of 76 right-handed regular education students by means of the dual-task model and psychoeducational techniques. As a total group, the subjects had normal left hemisphere language and right hemisphere spatial lateralization (L-R). However, further analysis revealed lateralization subgroups, with the “good” students having normal L-R lateralization but the “poor” students having nonnormal L-L, R-R, or R-L lateralization. Also, correlation results indicated that as academic achievement scores went down, behavior problems went up, as did nonnormal brain organization. The authors postulate a causal relationship between the nonnormal brain organization and poor academic achievement. The authors suggest that the poor students of this study meet the Public Law 94-142 definition of learning disabilities, and conclude that a substantial number of non-handicapped slow learners may in fact be learning disabled and eligible for special education help.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Benton, A. , Varney, N. , & Hamsher, K. (1975). Judgment of line orientation. Iowa City, IA: University Hospitals.

Benton, A. , Varney, N. , & Hamsher, K. (1978). Visuospatial judgment, a clinical test. Archives of Neurology, 65, 168–170.

Benton, A.L (1965). The problem of cerebral dominance. Canadian Psychologist, 65, 168–170.

Bogen, J.E (1975). Some educational aspects of hemispheric specialization. UCLA Educator, 65, 168–170.

Bradshaw, J.L. , & Nettleton, N.C. (1983). Human cerebral asymmetry. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Federal Register . (1977, August 23). Education of handicapped children. Implementation of Part B of the Education of the Handicapped Act, 42 (163), p. 42478.

Galin, D. , & Ornstein, R. (1972). Lateral specialization of cognitive mode: An EEG study. Psychophysiology, 65, 168–170.

Gordon, H. (1980). Cognitive asymmetry in dyslexic families. Neuropsychologia, 65, 168–170.

Gray, W.S (1963). Gray oral reading test. New York: Bobbs-Merrill.

10.

Hammill, D. , Leigh, J. , McNutt, A. , & Larsen, S. (1981). A new definition of learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 4(4), 336–342.

11.

Hier, D. , LeMay, M. , Rosenberger, P. , & Perlo, V. (1978). Developmental dyslexia. Archives of Neurology, 65, 168–170.

12.

Hiscock, M. , Antoniuk, D. , Prisciak, K. , & Von Hessert, D. (1985). Generalized and lateralized interference between concurrent tasks performed by children: Effects of age, sex, and skill. Developmental Neuropsychology, 1(1), 29–48.

13.

Jastak, J. , Bijou, S. , & Jastak, S. (1978). Wide range achievement test. Wilmington, DE: Jastak Associates.

14.

Kahneman, D. (1973). Attention and effort. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

15.

Kaufman, A.S. , Kaufman, N.L. , & Goldsmith, B. (1984). Sequential or simultaneous. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

16.

Kimura, D. (1961). Cerebral dominance and the perception of verbal stimuli. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 65, 168–170.

17.

Kinsbourne, M. , & Hisocock, M. (1977). Does cerebral dominance develop? In S.J. Segalowitz & F.A. Gruber (Eds.), Language development and neurological theory (pp. 171–191). New York: Academic Press.

18.

Kinsbourne, M. , & Hiscock, M. (1983). Asymmetries of dual-task performance. In J.M. Helliger (Ed.), Cerebral hemisphere asymmetry: Method, theory, and application (Vol 1, pp. 255–334). New York: Praeger.

19.

Kinsbourne, M , & McMurray, J. (1975). The effect of cerebral dominance on time sharing between speaking and tapping by preschool children. Child Development, 65, 168–170.

20.

Lerner, J. (1985). Learning Disabilities (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

21.

Oexle, J. , A Zenhausern, R. (1981). Differential hemispheric activation in good and poor readers. International Journal of Neuroscience, 65, 168–170.

22.

Segalowitz, S.J. , & Bryden, M.P. (1983). Individual differences in hemispheric representation of language. In S.J. Segalowitz (Ed.), Language functions and brain organization (pp. 341–372). New York: Academic Press.

23.

Springer, S. , & Deutsch, G. (1985). Left brain, right brain ( 2nd Ed. ) San Francisco: W.H. Freeman.

24.

Stellern, J. , Collins, J. , Cossairt, A , & Gutierrez. R. (1986). Interference asymmetry involving concurrent tasks performed by Native American Indian students. Developmental Neuropsychology, 2(3), 241–255.

25.

Stellern, J , Marlowe, M. , Jacobs, J. , & Cossairt, A. (1985, February). Neuropsychological significance of right hemisphere cognitive mode in behavior disorders. Behavior Disorders, pp. 113–124.

26.

Stellern, J. , Marlowe, A.C. , & Cossairt, A. (1984). Cognitive mode and classroom behavior. Psychology in the Schools, 65, 168–170.

27.

Stellern, J , Marlowe, M. , & Jacobs, J. (1983). The relationship between cognitive mode and right hemisphere test performance Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 1, 395–404.

28.

Walker, H.M (1976). Walker problem behavior identification checklist manual Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

29.

Webb, G. (1983). Left/right brains, teammates in learning. Exceptional Children, 65, 168–170.

A Dual-Task Investigation of Language-Spatial Lateralization

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References