Individual differences in the functional asymmetry of the human brain.

Standard models of hemispheric asymmetry assume the dychotomous division of functional competence between the two hemispheres. Individual subjects, however, often do not fit such prototypical patterns and show great variation with respect to the functional differentiation of their hemispheres. The present paper reviews the results of some of our investigations on the effect of various subject related factors on brain lateralization. Among these individual experience, gender and handedness seem to be of most significance.