Diurnal type and hemispheric asymmetry.
Monk and Leng (1986) postulated that Morning-types (M-types) rely more than Evening-types (E-types) on subvocalization strategies, indirectly suggesting a difference in their habitual mode of hemispheric engagement. To evaluate this hypothesis, 48 right-handed women, 24 M-types and 24 age-matched E-types, performed verbal and spatial hemifield tachistoscopic tasks and recorded oral temperature at four separate times of day. Oral temperature curves were larger in amplitude and phase delayed for E-types. Reaction time curves were slower for E-types, without M-E phase differences. Error rate curves showed significant time-of-day effects at left-visual-field verbal tasks for M-types and at right-visual-field spatial tasks for E-types, indicating a selective trend in relying on left hemispheric mode for M-types and on right hemispheric mode for E-types. Implications for circadian oscillatory control are discussed.
Corbera
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Universitat de Barcelona, Department d'Educació i Psicologia, Tarragona, Spain.
Grau
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology