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Dynamic lateralization: hostility, cardiovascular regulation, and tachistoscopic recognition.
Brian V Shenal1, David W Harrison
1Department of Veterans Affairs, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, and Department of Neurology, University of Florida, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0236, USA. shenalbv@neurology.uf/edu
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|February 3, 2004
Summary
This study found that the right brain hemisphere is more active during painful stressors, while the left hemisphere is more active during visual recognition tasks. This suggests different brain lateralization for processing hostility and cognitive challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Hostility is linked to cardiovascular arousal.
- Previous research explored auditory recognition and hostility.
- The role of cerebral hemispheres in these processes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis of right cerebral regulation of hostility and cardiovascular arousal.
- To replicate previous findings using a visual modality.
- To examine cerebral activation patterns during stress and cognitive tasks.
Main Methods:
- Thirty participants were classified as low or high hostile using the Cook Medley Hostility Scale (CMHS).
- Participants underwent a cold pressor paradigm (physical stressor).
- Cardiovascular measures (SBP, DBP) and tachistoscopic lexical recognition were recorded before and after the stressor.
Main Results:
- Greater left cerebral activation, indicated by decreased cardiovascular reactivity, occurred after visual lexical recognition tasks.
- Greater right cerebral activation was observed following the cold pressor (painful) stressor.
- These findings suggest hemispheric lateralization for different types of stimuli.
Conclusions:
- The right hemisphere may be involved in processing painful stressors and regulating hostility.
- The left hemisphere appears more involved in cognitive processing via visual recognition.
- Cerebral lateralization plays a role in the psychophysiological responses to different stimuli.