Left-handed? Then you probably HATE losing! 'Lefties' are more competitive than right-handers, study finds

Left–handed people are more competitive than their right–handed counterparts, according to a study.

Researchers have discovered that 'Lefties' show higher levels of 'hypercompetitive orientation' and are driven by a very strong desire to win.

This could help explain the evolution of left–handedness, experts say, which is prevalent in around 10 per cent of the population.

Previous studies have already linked the trait to being better at learning languages, being more creative and performing better in particular sports.

As part of a new study researchers collected data from volunteers – 483 of whom were strongly right–handed while 50 were strongly left–handed.

Analysis of questionnaire answers revealed that while 'Righties' were more likely to avoid competition, 'Lefties' recorded higher levels of competitiveness.

Commenting on the findings Professor Sebastian Ocklenburg, from the Department of Psychology at MSH Medical School in Hamburg, Germany said: 'Taken together, the study provides an important puzzle piece for understanding the evolution of left–handedness. Left–handers indeed are more competitive than right–handers.'

The findings could help to explain the success of left–handers including Paul McCartney, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg – who is not only one of the most successful CEOs in the world, but also excels in Brazilian jiu–jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.

In a blog post written on Psychology Today, Professor Ocklenburg explained that right–handers may have an advantage in some cooperative behaviours such as learning to craft something by watching others.

'As most teachers are likely right–handers, right–handed learnings may have an easier time picking up a new task,' he said.

'Left–handers, in comparison, are thought to have an advantage in competitive situations such as fighting, because they are much rarer than right–handers.

'[This makes] their attacks in a combat situation more surprising.'

Previous research has shown that 'Lefties' have an advantage in some sports like fencing and badminton.

However, for this group to benefit from their surprise advantage they should be 'highly competitive and actively search for conflict situations or sports competitions', Professor Ocklenburg said.

The new study was carried out by a team of researchers at the University of Chieti–Pescara in Italy.

Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, they said: 'The minority of the human population consists of left–handers, and a possible advantage of belonging to this minority is a higher "surprise" effect in fighting and in sports.'

One possible explanation for their finding, they said, it that belonging to a minority may lead to higher levels of frustration and this, in turn, could lead to higher levels of competitiveness.

Some of the most successful CEOs in the world are left–handed, including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

A study, published last year, unveiled a link between left–handed CEOs and greater innovation, unique patents and higher returns for companies.

During a 2013 interview with CBS News, Bill Gates, co–founder of Microsoft, was asked after his thoughts on his left–handedness.

'You're left–handed. Do you read anything into this?' host Charlie Rose asked.

Gates responded: 'I don't know. There's a little bit higher variance of talent high and low for left–handers, but it's never been explained.'

Other famous people with this trait include Leonardo Da Vinci, Diego Maradona, Eminem, Marilyn Monroe and Nicole Kidman.

Overall, experts have found that men are more likely to be left–handed that women.

A study, carried out by psychologists at the University of Vienna, has also previously found that baby boys born in winter are more likely to be 'Lefties' than those with summer birthdays.

The researchers said their findings, which were published in the scientific journal Cortex, backed the theory that left–handedness in men could have a hormonal cause.

It's thought that an embryo's exposure to higher levels of the male hormone testosterone in the womb increases their chances of being left–handed.

More daylight may increase testosterone levels, and as baby boys born in the winter are in the embryonic stage during the spring and summer, they may be exposed to more testosterone.