Abstract
EEG power analysis is firmly established in the cognitive domain. This contrasts with emotional stimulus processing, which thus far has yielded a complex and ambiguous pattern of findings. To further advance understanding, the present study examined emotional stimulus processing in the context of task variations and baseline activity, which included several manipulation checks as well as internal replication of findings across conditions. Participants (N=16) viewed erotic and romantic pictures, differing in stimulus arousal. Pictures were presented briefly (120ms), and intertrial interval was systematically varied (~1 vs. ~8s). In one condition, participants passively viewed the pictures, in the other, they performed an active picture categorization task. The processing of erotic compared to romantic images was associated with a decrease in power in the alpha and lower beta band in posterior and anterior sensor clusters between 600-1,000ms poststimulus. The finding was robust and confirmed across conditions, different quantifications, and independent from baseline activity. Furthermore, key findings regarding explicit task effects as well as ERPs sensitive to emotional arousal were replicated. Results are discussed with respect to the hypothesis that alpha- and lower beta-band activity may reflect cortical activation associated with emotional stimulus significance.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
