Psychological factors in the face-hand test

E. Nolan and J. Kagan

Young children's failure to report double-simultaneous stimulations of the side of the face and the contralateral hand has been attributed to cerebral deficiencies. When tested under optimal psychological conditions, 3- to 6-year-old children correctly report simultaneous stimulations of the face and contralateral hand. Performance on the face-hand test, which has been used as an index of cerebral functioning, is influenced in a significant way by the child's ease in the testing situation and understanding of the task.