Publication Date

1974

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Brown, Cecil H., 1944-

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Anthropology

LCSH

Foot; Left- and right-handedness; Laterality

Abstract

The present investigation focuses on structural laterality in the feet. Structural laterality is here described in terms of foot length. It is hypothesized that most individuals' feet are unequal in length and that this difference in length is related to handedness. To test the hypothesis, the feet of 424 university students were measured from the heel to the tip of the big toe. Each individual was asked to write his name twice, using both the right and the left hand, so that hand preference could be determined. Subjects filled out questionnaires dealing with present handedness, previous handedness, and injuries to, or pathologies of their feet. In most individuals, both feet were not the same length, but this did not seem to be related to handedness. It is suggested that the feet may be able to withstand a certain amount of functional inequality without the appearance of corresponding structural changes.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

28 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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