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Hemisphere differences in perceiving positive and negative emotions

R S Hirschman, M A Safer

    Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior
    |December 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary
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    This study investigated hemisphere differences in processing emotions. Results indicate that neither hemisphere is specialized for perceiving positive or negative emotional expressions.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Cognitive Psychology
    • Emotion Research

    Background:

    • Previous research suggests a right hemisphere (RH) specialization for negative emotions and a left hemisphere (LH) specialization for positive emotions.
    • This hypothesis, known as emotional asymmetry, has been influential in understanding brain function and emotion.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To test the hypothesis of lateralized processing for positive and negative emotional expressions.
    • To investigate hemisphere differences in the perception of emotional facial expressions.

    Main Methods:

    • Two experiments were conducted using normal, right-handed participants.
    • Facial expressions of positive and negative emotions were briefly presented to either the left or right visual field.
    • Experiment 1 assessed accuracy in naming emotions, while Experiment 2 evaluated intensity judgments.

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    Main Results:

    • Neither experiment provided evidence supporting the hypothesis of specialized hemisphere processing for perceiving emotional expressions.
    • No significant differences were found in accuracy or intensity judgments between visual fields for positive or negative emotions.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings do not support differential hemisphere involvement in the perception of positive versus negative emotional expressions.
    • Hemisphere specialization for emotion may be limited to the production, rather than the perception, of emotional expressions.
    • Further research is needed to clarify the role of brain hemispheres in emotional processing.