Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
16:08
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Impairing Effect of Emotion on Cognition
Published on: February 1, 2012
15.5K
Emotional content modulates response inhibition and perceptual processing.
Suyong Yang1, Wenbo Luo, Xiangru Zhu
1Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Psychophysiology
|June 20, 2014
Summary
Emotion processing hinders response inhibition. Emotional content, particularly in no-go trials, leads to poorer accuracy and altered brain activity (N170, N2 amplitudes), suggesting emotional stimuli capture attention, impairing control.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Affective Science
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Response inhibition is crucial for goal-directed behavior.
- Emotional stimuli can capture attention and influence cognitive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how emotional content affects response inhibition using event-related potentials.
- To examine the neural mechanisms underlying emotion's impact on inhibitory control.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed an emotional go/no-go task.
- Event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically N170 and N2 amplitudes, were analyzed.
- Behavioral accuracy and ERP data were correlated.
Main Results:
- Emotional content impaired response inhibition, reducing accuracy and N2 amplitudes in no-go trials.
- Emotional expressions yielded larger N170 amplitudes than neutral expressions, especially in no-go trials.
- Increased N170 amplitudes correlated with decreased N2 amplitudes in no-go trials.
Conclusions:
- Emotional content impairs response inhibition.
- Prioritization of emotional content processing contributes to the observed deficits in inhibitory control.
- N170 and N2 amplitudes reflect the interplay between emotional processing and response inhibition.
Related Concept Videos
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
321
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
321
01:25Factors Affecting Perception
3.3K
Perception is influenced by perceptual set, context, motivation, and emotion. Perceptual set, or perceptual expectancy, refers to the tendency to perceive things in a particular way, influenced by previous experiences and expectations. This phenomenon affects the interpretation of stimuli, creating a set of mental tendencies and assumptions that impact sensory perceptions of sound, taste, touch, and sight.
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
3.3K
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
436
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
436
01:15Subliminal Perception
1.1K
Subliminal perception refers to the processing of sensory information that occurs below the level of conscious awareness. Researchers study subliminal perception by presenting a stimulus, such as a word or image, very quickly, typically around 50 milliseconds. This rapid presentation is often followed by another stimulus, such as a pattern of dots or lines, which blocks further mental processing of the initial stimulus. As a result, if participants cannot identify the initial stimulus better...
1.1K
01:20Physiology of Emotion
4.5K
The physiology of emotions is a multifaceted process involving the autonomic nervous system, brain structures, hormones, and neurotransmitters. This intricate interplay dictates how emotions manifest in the body and influence behavior.
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
4.5K
01:17Cognitive Theories: Lazarus Mediational Theory of Emotion
2.9K
Richard Lazarus' cognitive mediational theory highlights the pivotal role of cognitive appraisal in shaping emotional responses. According to this theory, the evaluation of a stimulus — based on personal values, goals, beliefs, and expectations — mediates the emotional response. This appraisal process is immediate and often occurs unconsciously, influencing the intensity and nature of the resulting emotion.
Cognitive Appraisal and Emotional Response
Lazarus proposed that...
Cognitive Appraisal and Emotional Response
Lazarus proposed that...
2.9K