Asymmetry in Resting Alpha Activity: Effects of Handedness

Authors

Ruth E. Propper, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Jenna Pierce, Merrimack College
Mark W. Geisler, San Francisco State UniversityFollow
Stephen D. Christman, University of ToledoFollow
Nathan Bellorado, Merrimack CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 10-2012

Journal / Book Title

Open Journal of Medical Psychology

Abstract

Frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha band power during rest shows increased right, and/or decreased left, hemisphere activity under conditions of state or trait withdrawal-associated effect. Non-right-handers (NRH) are more likely to have mental illnesses and dispositions that involve such withdrawal-related effect. The aim of the study was to examine whether NRH might be characterized by increased right, relative to left, hemisphere activity during rest. Methods: The present research investigated that hypothesis by examining resting EEG alpha power in consistently-right-handed (CRH) and NRH individuals. Results: In support of the hypothesis, NRH demonstrated decreased right hemisphere alpha power, and therefore increased right hemisphere activity, during rest, compared to CRH.Conclusions: The study demonstrates further support for an association between increased right hemisphere activity and negative affect via an association between such EEG activity and NRH.

Comments

This article is Open Access and distributed under a Creative Commons 4.0 License.

DOI

10.4236/ojmp.2012.14014

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Propper, Ruth E.; Pierce, Jenna; Geisler, Mark W.; Christman, Stephen D.; and Bellorado, Nathan, "Asymmetry in Resting Alpha Activity: Effects of Handedness" (2012). Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 11.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/psychology-facpubs/11

Published Citation

Propper, Ruth E., Jenna Pierce, Mark W. Geisler, Stephen D. Christman, and Nathan Bellorado. "Asymmetry in resting alpha activity: Effects of handedness." Open Journal of Medical Psychology 1, no. 4 (2012): 86-90.