Activity inhibition: A predictor of lateralized brain function during stress?

Schultheiss O, Riebel K, Jones NM (2009)


Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Accepted

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2009

Journal

Original Authors: Schultheiss Oliver C., Riebel Kathrin, Jones Nicolette M.

Publisher: American Psychological Association

Book Volume: 23

Pages Range: 392-404

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1037/a0014591

Abstract

The authors tested the hypothesis that activity inhibition (AI), a measure of the frequency of the word “not” in written material, marks a propensity to engage functions of the right hemisphere (RH) and disengage functions of the left hemisphere (LH), particularly during stress. Study 1 and Study 2 showed that high AI predicts faster detection of stimuli presented to the RH, relative to the LH. Study 2 provided evidence that the AI-laterality effect is specific to perceptual, but not motor, laterality and that it is particularly strong in individuals with low mood, but absent in individuals in a positive mood state. Study 3 showed that negative affective stimuli prime the AI-laterality effect more strongly than positive affective stimuli. Findings from Study 4 suggest that situationally induced frustration (losing a contest), in conjunction with high AI, leads to increased attentional laterality. The present findings substantially bolster the construct validity of AI and contribute to a better understanding of earlier findings linking AI to physiological stress responses, immune system functioning, alcohol abuse, and nonverbal behavior.

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How to cite

APA:

Schultheiss, O., Riebel, K., & Jones, N.M. (2009). Activity inhibition: A predictor of lateralized brain function during stress? Neuropsychology, 23(3), 392-404. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0014591

MLA:

Schultheiss, Oliver, Kathrin Riebel, and Nicolette M. Jones. "Activity inhibition: A predictor of lateralized brain function during stress?" Neuropsychology 23.3 (2009): 392-404.

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