Poster #15 - Evaluating Emotion State Changes in Infant Frontal EEG Asymmetry

• In Event: Poster Session 14

Abstract

Emotion theorists have posited both valanced and approach–withdraw motivation explanations for the relative differences in hemispheric brain activation associated with emotional experiences. Specific to the latter, relatively increased left-frontal EEG has been associated with approach-style tendencies. Individuals with this neural activity pattern are more likely to respond with increased approach-oriented behaviors in at least some socioemotional situations (Brooker et al., 2017; Diaz et al., 2019). Moreover, tonic left-frontal EEG asymmetry has been associated with approach-style responses in jealousy-provoking paradigms in adults (Harmon-Jones et al., 2009) and infants (Mize et al., 2014). EEG asymmetries during emotionally charged events may be more informative than the trait-style activity patterns revealed in previous research as approach-withdrawal motivational tendencies are more likely to be activated (Coan et al., 2006). Recent support for this is noted in studies examining the capability model, that revealed that EEG asymmetry during an emotionally salient event was a more significant predictor of behavior compared to resting-state asymmetry values (Stewart et al., 2014). However, less is known about emotional state changes linked to EEG asymmetry in infancy. The aim of the current study was to examine differences in hemispheric asymmetries when infants are faced with an emotionally-evoking social-rival task, an event that threatens the exclusivity of a valuable relationship.
Behavioral and physiological data were collected from 55 infants (Male=27) prior to the first year of life (M=8.48; SD=1.16). Mother-infant dyads participated in a social-rival and control paradigm (Hart et al., 1998) designed to elicit emotional responses and behaviors. Infant behavioral and affective responses were coded using second-by-second ratings. Infant EEG activity (across the scalp from frontal to occipital regions) were recorded during a baseline and two task conditions for approximately three minutes each. Asymmetry scores were calculated, utilizing alpha band (6-9 Hz, Bell, 2002), (ln(right) - ln(left)).
Paired samples t-test revealed proportions of approach-style behaviors (e.g., mother-directed gaze, reach, and global approach) were higher in the emotion-provoking condition to control, (ts ranged from 3.84 to 4.95; ps < .01). Preliminary EEG analyses have been conducted, a within subjects MANOVA comparing asymmetry in the different regions (mid-frontal, lateral frontal, central, parietal, and occipital) and conditions revealed a significant interaction effect, F(4,27) = 2.61, p = .05. Post hoc paired-samples t-test comparing each experimental condition within region demonstrate a significant effect for more left lateral frontal asymmetry, t(30) = 2.02, p = .05. Infants demonstrated greater relative left frontal EEG asymmetry during the social-rival condition compared to control. These early results illustrate the link between neural activity and approach motivation in infants during emotionally charged events.
Infants demonstrated approach-type behaviors and left frontal EEG asymmetry during the social-rival task compared to control. EEG collected during an emotion-provoking task provides useful information about the physiological process of neural activity when faced with emotionally charged events. The EEG results will be discussed with reference to the capability model and how approach-motivated behaviors offer insight about underlying physiological patterns that occur and develop during socioemotional situations (Platt & Jones, 2018) in infancy.

Authors

• Angela Bernardo, Florida Atlantic University

• Krystal D. Mize, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Nancy Aaron Jones, Florida Atlantic University
  Presenting Author