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Drawing and the cerebral hemispheres: bilateral EEG alpha
Biological Psychology
|February 1, 1983
Summary
Electroencephalography (EEG) alpha activity decreased during drawing and writing tasks, with left-hemisphere differences driving variations between these tasks. This EEG alpha asymmetry did not support theories of cognitive shifts in drawing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain activity.
- Alpha (8-12 Hz) EEG rhythms are associated with relaxed wakefulness and cognitive processing.
- Hemispheric asymmetries in brain activity are linked to different cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bilateral EEG alpha activity during drawing and writing tasks.
- To examine task-related EEG alpha asymmetries between hemispheres.
- To test the 'cognitive shift' theory regarding drawing stimuli orientation.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral EEG was recorded during drawing and writing tasks in two experiments.
- EEG alpha power was compared to baseline levels.
- EEG alpha asymmetry was analyzed between hemispheres and task types.
Main Results:
- EEG alpha was suppressed in both hemispheres during all drawing and writing tasks.
- Significant EEG alpha asymmetries were observed.
- Differences in left-hemisphere alpha activity accounted for asymmetry variations between drawing and writing.
- No difference in EEG alpha was found when drawing upright versus inverted stimuli.
Conclusions:
- Drawing and writing tasks elicit bilateral EEG alpha suppression.
- Left-hemisphere activity is crucial for differentiating drawing and writing-related EEG alpha asymmetry.
- Findings do not support the 'cognitive shift' model for drawing orientation.