Related Experiment Videos
Asymmetric activation in the prefrontal cortex by sound-induced affect
Wuon-Shik Kim1, Young-Ro Yoon, Kyo-Heon Kim
1Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Ergonomics and Information Technology Group, Daejeon. wskim@kriss.re.kr
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|January 24, 2004
Summary
Sound-induced positive emotions correlate with increased left prefrontal cortex activity, while negative emotions show increased right-sided activation. This research explores brain asymmetry and emotional responses using electroencephalography (EEG).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Previous research indicates asymmetric prefrontal cortex activation linked to film-induced emotions.
- A known inverse relationship exists between prefrontal cortex activity and alpha band power in electroencephalography (EEG).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the specific EEG frequency band reflecting asymmetric prefrontal cortex activation due to sound-induced emotions.
- To investigate the relationship between auditory stimuli, emotional affect, and hemispheric brain activity.
Main Methods:
- Measured EEG in 32 college students across 11 frequency bands (6.5–35.0 Hz) at Fp1 and Fp2 sites.
- Analyzed power spectral density in different EEG bands during exposure to music (positive affect) and noise (negative affect).
Main Results:
- Increased alpha band power (8.0–13.0 Hz), particularly alpha-2 (9.0–11.0 Hz), was observed at the Fp2 site during music listening (positive affect).
- Increased power at the Fp1 site was noted during noise exposure (negative affect).
Conclusions:
- Sound-induced positive affect is associated with greater relative left-sided prefrontal cortex activation.
- Sound-induced negative affect is linked to greater relative right-sided prefrontal cortex activation.
- EEG alpha band activity differentiates emotional valence and associated prefrontal asymmetry.