Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...

Lateralization

Lateralization

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.

Subconsciousness and No Awareness

Subconsciousness and No Awareness

The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...

High-Level and Low-Level Awareness

High-Level and Low-Level Awareness

Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...

Cerebral Hemispheres

Cerebral Hemispheres

The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Military Foot Marches on Performance-Part 2: Cognitive Performance.

Journal of strength and conditioning research·2026

Same author

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Military Foot Marches on Performance-Part 1: Physical Performance.

Journal of strength and conditioning research·2026

Same author

Mind-Wandering or Task-Unrelated Thought Reports May Be a Response to Performance Not a Cause of Performance: Using Forced Errors to Impact Thought Content Reports.

Human factors·2025

Same author

Inferring Attachment Trauma from Clinical Symptoms and Dynamics: A Challenge for Scientists, a Gift for Therapists and Their Patients.

Clinical neuropsychiatry·2025

Same author

Does the Portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder on TikTok Represent the Diverse Symptomatology of Its Clinical Presentation?

Journal of trauma & dissociation : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)·2025

Same author

A Way Forward for Sustained Attention Research: Insights from the Deep Past.

Annual review of psychology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Published on: November 16, 2017

Dissociative tendencies and right-hemisphere processing load: effects on vigilance performance.

William S Helton¹, Martin J Dorahy, Paul N Russell

¹Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Deak_Helton@yahoo.com

Consciousness and Cognition

|October 19, 2010

Summary

High dissociative experiences correlate with impaired vigilance during negative emotional processing, suggesting right-hemisphere dysfunction in individuals with dissociative tendencies.

More Related Videos

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice

Published on: December 29, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Published on: November 16, 2017

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice

Published on: December 29, 2016

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychology

Background:

Dissociative experiences are linked to altered information processing.
The right hemisphere plays a crucial role in emotional and attentional regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between dissociative experiences and right-hemisphere processing load.
To examine how dissociation affects performance on tasks requiring right-hemisphere functions, particularly under emotional stress.

Main Methods:

Thirty-four participants completed a vigilance task under two conditions: neutral and negative-arousing pictures.
Dissociative experiences were measured using the Dissociative Experience Scale.
Performance was assessed by measuring vigilance decrement.

Main Results:

Dissociative experiences showed a significant correlation with increased vigilance decrement specifically in the negative picture condition.
No significant correlation was found in the neutral picture condition.
This suggests a heightened impact of negative stimuli on attention in individuals with higher dissociation.

Conclusions:

The findings support theories linking right-hemisphere deregulation to higher levels of non-clinical dissociation.
Right-hemisphere dysfunction may be particularly evident in high dissociators when processing negative emotional stimuli.
This highlights the role of the right hemisphere in the manifestation of dissociative tendencies.