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Frontal brain asymmetry predicts affective style in men
1Harvard Medical School.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Frontal brain asymmetry (FBA) in men relates to their affective style. Specifically, lateral frontal asymmetry, not midfrontal, correlates with a positive emotional style, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Previous research indicated a link between frontal brain asymmetry (FBA) and affective style in women.
- The generalizability of this association to men remained unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between frontal brain asymmetry (FBA) and affective style in adult males.
- To determine if findings in women are applicable to men.
Main Methods:
- Resting electroencephalogram (EEG) activity was recorded from adult males.
- Alpha power asymmetry was analyzed at midfrontal and lateral-frontal sites.
- Data were collected across five 60-second baseline recordings.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between relative left anterior activation (lateral-frontal site) and a positive affective style in men.
- No significant relationship was observed between midfrontal asymmetry and affective style.
- Lateral frontal asymmetry emerged as a significant predictor of affective style.
Conclusions:
- Lateral frontal brain asymmetry (FBA) is a robust indicator of affective style in men.
- This relationship appears to be state-independent.
- The findings support the generalizability of FBA-affective style links across sexes, specifically for lateral frontal measures.
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