Interhemispheric and intrahemispheric control of emotion: a focus on unilateral brain damage

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1992 Jun;60(3):339-48. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.60.3.339.

Abstract

Neocortical contributions to emotional processing are discussed. First, parameters critical to the neuropsychological study of emotion are examined: interhemispheric (right, left) and intrahemispheric (anterior, posterior) factors, processing mode (expression, perception), and communication channel (facial, prosodic, lexical). Second, neuropsychological theories of emotion are described: right-hemisphere and valence hypotheses. Third, experimental studies of right-brain-damaged, left-brain-damaged, and normal adults are reviewed, on the basis of mode and channel, with a focus on stroke. Findings support right cerebral hemispheric dominance for emotion, regardless of valence and channel, and are more consistent for perception than expression. When lesion site is a factor, posterior sites are important for perception and anterior ones for expression. Finally, clinical implications are suggested for aphasia rehabilitation and for assessment of affect in neurological disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aphasia / physiopathology
  • Aphasia / rehabilitation
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology*
  • Communication
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Processes / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception / physiology