2008 Woodie Awards
Professor unveils new research
By Matt Pavelek
Rocket Copy Editor
Issue date: 11/18/05 Section: News
Recent research conducted by Slippery Rock University assistant psychology professor, Christopher Niebauer, shows that ambidextrous people may be more open to updating their beliefs.
"These beliefs can be about who we are and our beliefs about other people," Niebauer said. "They also include beliefs on politics and religion."
Niebauer's research was published in "A Left-Hand turn around the world: Chasing the mystery and meaning of all things southpaw," which was authored by David Wolman and also appears in the current issue of "New Scientist."
Niebauer said updating beliefs simply means the ability to accept new ideas that may contradict what a person has held to be true for most of their life.
"I was interested in people who were maintaining the status quo versus jumping to the next idea," Niebauer said. "It was always those ambidextrous people that want to jump to the next idea. The most likely explanation is that it's tied into how the brain is organized. In people that are ambidextrous, the structure that connects the two sides of the brain is larger. This might be a critical thing for revising our picture of the world. Updating beliefs means modifying pre-existing ideas."
Niebauer said he believes the most compelling aspect of his research deals with the ongoing debate between creationism, evolution and now, intelligent design.
"If you have ever heard individuals from either camp argue, they're not making any ground," Niebauer said. "They argue, argue and argue, but never reach any sense of resolve. Most people in Western society grew up believing in creationism, meaning they had a literal interpretation of the Bible. People who are open to acceptance are more likely to accept an idea like evolution."
Niebauer also said that some people will never be able to accept new ideas. No matter how much evidence is presented to these people, they will never be able to change their views. These same people also display a very low degree of ambidexterity.
"These beliefs can be about who we are and our beliefs about other people," Niebauer said. "They also include beliefs on politics and religion."
Niebauer's research was published in "A Left-Hand turn around the world: Chasing the mystery and meaning of all things southpaw," which was authored by David Wolman and also appears in the current issue of "New Scientist."
Niebauer said updating beliefs simply means the ability to accept new ideas that may contradict what a person has held to be true for most of their life.
"I was interested in people who were maintaining the status quo versus jumping to the next idea," Niebauer said. "It was always those ambidextrous people that want to jump to the next idea. The most likely explanation is that it's tied into how the brain is organized. In people that are ambidextrous, the structure that connects the two sides of the brain is larger. This might be a critical thing for revising our picture of the world. Updating beliefs means modifying pre-existing ideas."
Niebauer said he believes the most compelling aspect of his research deals with the ongoing debate between creationism, evolution and now, intelligent design.
"If you have ever heard individuals from either camp argue, they're not making any ground," Niebauer said. "They argue, argue and argue, but never reach any sense of resolve. Most people in Western society grew up believing in creationism, meaning they had a literal interpretation of the Bible. People who are open to acceptance are more likely to accept an idea like evolution."
Niebauer also said that some people will never be able to accept new ideas. No matter how much evidence is presented to these people, they will never be able to change their views. These same people also display a very low degree of ambidexterity.
