Stress induced reversal of a lexical divided visual-field asymmetry accompanied by retarded electrodermal habituation.
An interplay of structural and dynamic process cerebral asymmetries was investigated with medical students in a within subject design. Structural asymmetries were investigated with a divided visual-field lexical task and dynamic asymmetries through the influence of anxiety induced by examination stress and compared with a less stressful occasion. The validity of the stressful life event was substantiated by measures of non-specific electrodermal responses and a frustration-tension subscale from an anxiety questionnaire. The order of testing was counterbalanced. Under stress there was a shift in hemispheric balance such that a right visual-field advantage gave way to a left visual-field advantage. Variations in hemispheric processing were more pronounced in the right hemisphere in which performance was enhanced under stress.
Gruzelier
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, U.K.
Phelan
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*