Poll related to handedness between physics, mathematics and chemistry people

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the handedness of individuals studying or working in physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Participants are sharing their personal experiences regarding which hand they use for writing, with a focus on those who have completed at least one year of university-level education in these fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about the proportion of left-handed individuals in the fields of physics, mathematics, and chemistry, noting a personal observation of many left-handed peers.
  • Several participants share their handedness, with a mix of right-handed and left-handed individuals, including those who identify as ambidextrous or use unconventional methods for writing.
  • Some participants speculate about the potential for a higher proportion of left-handed individuals in scientific fields compared to the general population, with one participant suggesting that chemistry might attract more verbal types, possibly correlating with left-handedness.
  • Statistical estimates are discussed, with one participant calculating an estimated population mean of left-handed individuals in the group based on poll results, while also expressing concerns about potential biases in the poll's participation.
  • There are humorous remarks about left-handed elitism and the experiences of individuals who have been forced to write with their non-dominant hand.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of the poll results or the reasons behind the observed handedness patterns. Multiple competing views and speculations remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential for bias in the poll, suggesting that left-handed individuals may be more inclined to engage in a discussion about handedness, which could skew the results. There are also mentions of varying definitions of handedness and the impact of personal experiences on writing habits.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals studying or working in physics, mathematics, and chemistry, as well as those curious about the relationship between handedness and academic or professional performance in STEM fields.

Question already included

  • I am/was a university/college student and write with my right hand.

    Votes: 59 72.0%

  • I am/was a university/college student and write with my left hand.

    Votes: 18 22.0%

  • I am/was a university/college student and write with both hands. (Please specify)

    Votes: 3 3.7%

  • I don't have two hands but I use the left or right hand to write (Please specify in a post).

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other. (Specify in a post please so I can modify my poll if I missed something important).

    Votes: 2 2.4%
  • Total voters
    82
  • #31
Pythagorean said:
This is now a lefty elitist thread. Righties may participate, but only as targets of our elitism.

:smile:
 
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  • #32
physics girl phd said:
I'd worry that the poll leads to a natural bias... that people who are left-handed (in the minority of the general population) are perhaps more interested to click on a thread about handedness.

Yep. That looks like the most likely bias.
I can think of a couple of other biases, but they seem, well, just less likely.

To address that we should count for instance how many people in a class with science students take their notes with their left hand...
 
  • #33
Right-handed. I had a left-handed Ph.D. supervisor.
I like Serena said:
To address that we should count for instance how many people in a class with science students take their notes with their left hand...

First assignment for PFers (instructors and students) for the new semester.
 
  • #34
physics girl phd said:
I'd worry that the poll leads to a natural bias... that people who are left-handed (in the minority of the general population) are perhaps more interested to click on a thread about handedness.

I write with my right hand, but CAN write both with my left hand and upside-down-and-backwards with my right. (Upside-down-and-backwards is particularly useful in the teaching profession if you are facing the students desk, instead of beside them in some manner at a desk or board.)

see how the right-handers harp on our pride while in the same breath pretending to be one of us? My friends, this is the enemy!

they hath designed powertools so that ye shall poke out thine own eyes. RISE, my sinister goat-hand friends!
 
  • #35
Maybe we should ask the question when members register :) Along with their studies. (of course as optional)
I feel bad the poll is biased though.
Still surprising to me.

Edit: We should maybe count only the votes where people precised what they study, etc. When people posted. Otherwise anyone can enter here and vote dishonestly without precising if they are/were really science students. I'd personally trust much more someone that post "I'm an electrical engineer student and voted left" even though he's lying, versus someone that votes without saying a word.
 
Last edited:
  • #36
If we're proposing new features, then I think it would be great to be able to ask questions to all PF users(those already registered). One could implement this by asking everyone who hasn't been asked the question when they log in.
 
  • #37
Well, since I just recently finished my first year of university, I guess I am now qualified to vote on this poll xD. I'm a physics major and I write exclusively with my right hand as far as I can tell :)
 
  • #38
I am now doing a physics MSc, typically write with the RH but if something has happened to it or I'm using it for eating etc writing with my LH instead isn't too difficult. I actually used my LF when I first started to learn to write but my primary school teacher made me switch because writing chinese characters really is easier with RH.
 
  • #39
Right hand. There's no option for high school students, but I don't care, so I voted as a college student anyway.
 
  • #40
AnTiFreeze3 said:
Right hand. There's no option for high school students, but I don't care, so I voted as a college student anyway.

Reported for dishonesty.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
  • #41
micromass said:
Reported for dishonesty.

Praised for adherence to rules.
 
  • #42
Electrical, I don't use left or right hand to write. I have a third one for that.
 
  • #43
Mathematics with the right; physics with the left.
 
  • #44
Number Nine said:
Mathematics with the right; physics with the left.

But... but physics has mathematics *head explodes*
 

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