Frontal EEG asymmetry is a phenomenon that appears to be associated with approach/withdrawal motivation or behaviors in response to an emotionally evocative stimulus, even in infants (Davidson,...Show moreFrontal EEG asymmetry is a phenomenon that appears to be associated with approach/withdrawal motivation or behaviors in response to an emotionally evocative stimulus, even in infants (Davidson, 1982; Fox et al., 1987; Fox et al., 1988; Spielberg et al., 2008). This thesis tested whether infants showed relatively greater left frontal asymmetry watching a supposedly positively valenced animation, and relatively greater right frontal asymmetry watching a supposedly negatively valenced animation. Also, the association between frontal EEG asymmetry of the infants and sensitivity of their mothers was tested. The infants did not show significantly stronger left frontal or right frontal asymmetry in response to a positively valenced or a negatively valenced situation. Only the left hemisphere showed a marginal (though non-significant) decrease of activity between the positively and negatively valenced animations. No association between frontal EEG asymmetry of the infants and sensitivity of their mothers was found. Even though no significant associations were found, the results suggest that, in more extensive or thorough research, effects of watching different emotionally valenced situations on frontal EEG asymmetry in infants may still be observed. Further research is needed.Show less
