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Relationship between conjugate lateral eye movements and alexithymia
J D Parker1, G J Taylor, R M Bagby
1Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada.
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
|January 1, 1992
Summary
This study found that individuals with higher alexithymia scores exhibited a preference for rightward conjugate lateral eye movements (CLEMs). This suggests a link between alexithymia and left-brain lateralization, indicating variations in brain organization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Alexithymia is a personality construct characterized by difficulty identifying and describing emotions.
- Conjugate lateral eye movements (CLEMs) are often used as a non-invasive indicator of cerebral hemispheric activation.
- Previous research has explored the link between cognitive styles and brain lateralization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between alexithymia and lateral eye movements.
- To explore potential correlations between alexithymia, personality traits, and brain organization.
Main Methods:
- Sixty right-handed university students completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and other personality inventories.
- CLEMs were recorded while participants answered general knowledge questions.
- ANOVAs were used to analyze the relationship between gender, CLEM preference, and personality measures.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between a rightward CLEM preference and higher scores on the TAS.
- No significant relationships were observed between CLEMs and other personality or psychopathology measures.
- Gender did not significantly moderate the relationship between CLEMs and alexithymia.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that alexithymia is associated with left cerebral lateralization.
- This supports the hypothesis that alexithymic traits may reflect variations in brain organization.
- Rightward CLEM preference may serve as a potential behavioral marker for alexithymia.