title: Negative emotional valence is associated with non-right-handedness and increased imbalance of hemispheric activation as measured by tympanic membrane temperature.
abstract: We investigated the possibility that individual differences in hand preference influence hemispheric emotional valence asymmetries using the Profile of Mood States Short-Form (Shacham, J Pers Assess. 1983;47:305-306) as a measure of emotional valence and tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) as a measure of hemispheric activity. We replicate others' findings of increased negative valence in the non-right-handed. We further demonstrate handedness effects on the absolute difference between left and right TMT, and a positive relationship between this measure and the anger/hostility subscale of the Profile of Mood States Short Form. Findings suggest (i) negative emotional valence is associated with extreme asymmetries of cortical activation and (ii) TMT may be a simple means by which emotional state may be indicated, with increased difference between left and right TMT, suggesting increased anger/hostility. These findings offer the possibility of an exceptionally simple measure that may, in conjunction with more established techniques, offer valuable diagnostic information, particularly for disorders involving anger/hostility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA 01845, USA. ruth.propper@merrimack.edu
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Propper
authors.forename: Tad T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Brunyé
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Christman
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bologna
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult