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Chapter 7: Physiological Measures of Emotion

Other Central Nervous System Measures

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a central nervous system measure. In an EEG, an electrode headcap is placed on the scalp (see Figure 4). Then, over time, the headcap measures changes in the electricity from action potentials of neuron groups. The EEG cannot determine in which brain structure the neuronal activity is occurring. The EEG can determine whether the right or left of the brain is more active or whether the back or front of the brain is more active. Frontal asymmetry (also called hemispheric lateralization) can be determined by EEG (see Figure 5). Frontal asymmetry occurs when a person experiences greater activation of the right or left frontal lobe. Typically, more activation of the right lobe is associated with avoidance behavior (e.g., fear) whereas more activation of the left frontal lobe is associated with approach emotions (e.g., joy, anger). Later in this chapter, we will return to hemispheric lateralization when we discuss three theories that explain the relationship between the left and right side of the brain and emotional experiences.

Figure 4
EEG Headcap
Top view of a human brain with labeled left and right frontal lobes, showing emotional and behavioral associations. An image of a person with EEG headcap on
Reproduced from “A cap holds electrodes in place while recording an EEG” by C. Hope, 2012. Open Access. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic. Retrieved from:
“Volunteer Duty” Psychology Testing | Photo by Chris Hope AS… | Flickr

 

Figure 5
Visual display of hemispheric lateralization

Top view of a human brain with labeled left and right frontal lobes, showing emotional and behavioral associations.
The left frontal lobe is in charge of more behavioral activation than behavioral avoidance. It is activated when we experience emotions like anger and joy. The right frontal lobe is in charge of more behavioral avoidance than behavioral activation. It is activated when we experience emotions like fear and sadness.

Adapted with permission from Penn State World Campus PSYCH 238: Personality Psychology. Copyright 2021 by Penn State World Campus.

 

Long Description

This image presents a top-down anatomical view of the human brain, focusing on the left and right frontal lobes. Each lobe is labeled with its associated emotional and behavioral tendencies:

  • Left Frontal Lobe:
    • Associated with greater behavioral activation than avoidance.
    • Linked to approach-related emotions such as anger and joy.
  • Right Frontal Lobe:
    • Associated with greater behavioral avoidance than activation.
    • Linked to avoidance-related emotions such as fear and sadness.

The diagram visually contrasts the emotional and motivational roles of the two hemispheres, often used in psychological or neurological contexts to explain lateralization of brain function.

 

fMRI and PET scans provide better measures of specific structures involved in specific emotions. The fMRI measures the uptake of oxygen in the blood. To conduct a PET scan (see Figure 6), the participant is injected with a radioactive isotope, and then the metabolic activity of a brain structure is measured. Greater signals from the fMRI and the PET scan provide evidence that more blood is flowing to a certain brain structure and thus the brain structure is activated and working.

Figure 6
Example of PET scan machine
An image of a PET scan machine

Reproduced from “This is a PET scanner” by L. West, 2006. Open Access.  Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic. Retrieved from: PET scan | We all deal with trouble in different ways. I dec… | Flickr