Hand preference of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): Problem solving and responses in a novel setting

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with a right-hand preference displaye d shorter latencies to enter a novel room containing novel structures and o bjects, touched more objects, and performed more touches and more parallax movements than marmosets with a left-hand preference. These results are con sistent with specialization of the right hemisphere (left hand) for fear an d negative emotional states and specialization of the left hemisphere (righ t hand) for approach and positive emotional states. There were no effects o f age or sex on any of these behaviors. This relationship between explorati on and hand preference did not occur when the marmosets were tested in the home cage with a novel problem, although significant effects of both age an d dominance were found in solving the problem.