心理与行为研究 ›› 2005, Vol. 3 ›› Issue (4): 241-247.

• 论文 •    下一篇

Is Happy Facial Expression Identified by the Left or Right Hemisphere?

Zhou Xiaolin1, 2, 3, Shao Liping2   

  1. 1 Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871;
    2 Department of Psychology Peking University, Beijing 100871;
    3 Key Laboratory of Mental Health Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
  • 收稿日期:2005-09-10 出版日期:2005-12-20 发布日期:2015-01-21
  • 作者简介:周晓林,男,北京大学心理学系教授,博士生导师。Email: xz104@pku.edu.cn。
  • 基金资助:
    本研究得到国家攀登计划95-专-09项目、教育部科学技术重点01002,02170项目基金和中国科学院知识创新工程方向性KGCX2-SW-101项目的资助

Is Happy Facial Expression Identified by the Left or Right Hemisphere?

Zhou Xiaolin1, 2, 3, Shao Liping2   

  1. 1 Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871;
    2 Department of Psychology Peking University, Beijing 100871;
    3 Key Laboratory of Mental Health Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
  • Received:2005-09-10 Online:2005-12-20 Published:2015-01-21

摘要: A critical difference between the right hemisphere hypothesis and valence hypothesis of emotion processing is whether the processing of happy facial expressions is lateralized to the right or left hemisphere. In this study participants from a Chinese sample were asked to classify happy or neutral facial expressions presented either bilaterally in both visual fields or unilaterally in the left visual field(LVF)or right visual field(RVF). They were required to make the speeded responses using either the left or right hand. It was found that for both left and right hand responses, happy(and neutral)expressions presented in the LVF were identified faster than happy(and neutral)expressions presented in the RVF. Bilateral presentation showed no further advantage over LVF presentation. Moreover, left hand responses were generally faster than right hand responses, although this effect was more pronounced for neutral expression. These findings were interpreted as supporting the right hemisphere hypothesis, with happy expression being identified initially by the right hemisphere.

关键词: facial expression, positive emotion, happy, hemisphere, divided visual field

Abstract: A critical difference between the right hemisphere hypothesis and valence hypothesis of emotion processing is whether the processing of happy facial expressions is lateralized to the right or left hemisphere. In this study participants from a Chinese sample were asked to classify happy or neutral facial expressions presented either bilaterally in both visual fields or unilaterally in the left visual field(LVF)or right visual field(RVF). They were required to make the speeded responses using either the left or right hand. It was found that for both left and right hand responses, happy(and neutral)expressions presented in the LVF were identified faster than happy(and neutral)expressions presented in the RVF. Bilateral presentation showed no further advantage over LVF presentation. Moreover, left hand responses were generally faster than right hand responses, although this effect was more pronounced for neutral expression. These findings were interpreted as supporting the right hemisphere hypothesis, with happy expression being identified initially by the right hemisphere.

Key words: facial expression, positive emotion, happy, hemisphere, divided visual field