Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
14:04
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
Published on: August 26, 2011
Emotion modulates language production during covert picture naming.
José A Hinojosa1, Constantino Méndez-Bértolo, Luis Carretié
1Instituto Pluridisciplinar, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain. hinojosa@pluri.ucm.es
Neuropsychologia
|March 2, 2010
Summary
Emotional content significantly impacts word production, slowing reaction times and altering brain activity during phonological encoding. These findings highlight how emotions capture attention, affecting speech processes.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psycholinguistics
- Affective Science
Background:
- Emotional content influences event-related potentials during word comprehension.
- Limited understanding of how affective information impacts word production stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the influence of positive and negative emotions on phonological encoding (300-450 ms).
- Examine affective modulation during word production using a picture naming task.
Main Methods:
- Picture naming task with grapheme monitoring.
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded during the task.
- Control experiment using a passive viewing task.
Main Results:
- Slower reaction times and enhanced ERP amplitudes around 400 ms for emotional (positive/negative) vs. neutral picture names.
- Positive emotion-related ERP enhancement around 100 ms during conceptual preparation.
- Control experiment ruled out image processing alone as the cause of observed effects.
Conclusions:
- Affective information disrupts phonological encoding by capturing attention.
- Emotion modulates word production across multiple processing stages.
- Findings contribute to understanding the interplay between emotion and language production.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:13Nonconscious Mimicry
Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
01:24Components of Language
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...
01:24Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...
01:28Lateralization
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.