Cerebral Lateralization of Pro- and Anti-Social Tendencies

Mounting evidence suggest that the right-hemisphere (RH) has a relative advantage, over the left-hemisphere (LH), in mediating social intelligence - identifying social stimuli, understanding the intentions of other people, awareness of the dynamics in social relationships, and successful handling of social interactions. Furthermore, a review and synthesis of the literature suggest that pro-social attitudes and behaviors are associated with physiological activity in the RH, whereas unsocial and anti-social tendencies are mediated primarily by the LH. This hemispheric asymmetry is rooted in several neurobiological and functional differences between the two hemispheres. (I) Positive social interactions often require inhibiting one's immediate desires and considering the perspectives and needs of others. Given that self-control is mediated by the RH, pro-social emotions and behaviors are, therefore, inherently associated with the RH as it subserves the brain's self-restraint mechanisms. (II) The RH mediates experiences of vulnerability. It registers the relative clumsiness and motor weakness of the left limbs, and it is involved, more than the LH, in processing threats and mediating fear. Emotional states of vulnerability trigger the need for affiliation and sociality, therefore the RH has a greater role in mediating pro-social attitudes and behaviors. (III) The RH mediates a holistic mode of representing the world. Holistic perception emphasizes similarities rather than differences, takes a long-term perspective, is associated with divergent thinking and seeing other points-of-view, and it mediates a personal mode of relating to people. All these features of holistic perception facilitate a more empathetic attitude toward others and pro-social behaviors.

Right cerebral hemisphere and central auditory processing in children with developmental dyslexia / El hemisferio cerebral derecho y el procesamiento auditivo central en ninos con dislexia del desarrollo

Objective We hypothesized that if the right hemisphere auditory processing abilities can be altered in children with developmental dyslexia (DD), we can detect dysfunction using specific tests. Method We performed an analytical comparative cross-sectional study. We studied 20 right-handed children with DD and 20 healthy right-handed control subjects (CS). Children in both groups were age, gender, and school-grade matched. Focusing on the right hemisphere’s contribution, we utilized tests to measure alterations in central auditory processing (CAP), such as determination of frequency patterns; sound duration; music pitch recognition; and identification of environmental sounds. We compared results among the two groups. Results Children with DD showed lower performance than CS in all CAP subtests, including those that preferentially engaged the cerebral right hemisphere. Conclusion Our data suggests a significant contribution of the right hemisphere in alterations of CAP in children with DD. Thus, right hemisphere CAP must be considered for examination and rehabilitation of children with DD. .

Objectivo Examinamos si las habilidades del procesamiento auditivo central (PAC) del hemisferio derecho se encuentran alteradas en niños con dislexia del desarrollo (DD), por medio de pruebas específicas. Método Realizamos un estudio comparativo transversal. Estudiamos 20 niños diestros con DD y 20 niños controles (C) sanos. Los niños de ambos grupos fueron pareados por edad, género y grado escolar. Utilizamos varias pruebas para medir alteraciones del PAC, tales como: determinación de patrones de frecuencia; duración del sonido; reconocimiento de tono musical e identificación de sonidos ambientales, enfatizando la contribución del hemisferio derecho. Comparamos los resultados entre los niños con DD y C. Resultados Los niños con DD mostraron menores puntuaciones que los C en todas las subpruebas del PAC, incluyendo aquellas que involucran preferencialmente al hemisferio cerebral derecho. Conclusión Los datos obtenidos sugieren una contribución significativa del hemisferio derecho para producir alteraciones del PAC en niños con DD. Por lo tanto, las PAC que involucran al hemisferio derecho deben ser consideradas en la evaluación y rehabilitación de niño s con DD. .

The Neural Basis of Optimism and Pessimism

Our survival and wellness require a balance between optimism and pessimism. Undue pessimism makes life miserable; however, excessive optimism can lead to dangerously risky behaviors. A review and synthesis of the literature on the neurophysiology subserving these two worldviews suggests that optimism and pessimism are differentially associated with the two cerebral hemispheres. High self-esteem, a cheerful attitude that tends to look at the positive aspects of a given situation, as well as an optimistic belief in a bright future are associated with physiological activity in the left-hemisphere (LH). In contrast, a gloomy viewpoint, an inclination to focus on the negative part and exaggerate its significance, low self-esteem as well as a pessimistic view on what the future holds are interlinked with neurophysiological processes in the right-hemisphere (RH). This hemispheric asymmetry in mediating optimistic and pessimistic outlooks is rooted in several biological and functional differences between the two hemispheres. The RH mediation of a watchful and inhibitive mode weaves a sense of insecurity that generates and supports pessimistic thought patterns. Conversely, the LH mediation of an active mode and the positive feedback it receives through its motor dexterity breed a sense of confidence in one's ability to manage life's challenges, and optimism about the future.

The Dichotic Listening Research for Different Chinese Rhyming Words in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder by Focused Attention / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore the brain function asymmetry characters of the patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods:The study examined the ear advantage of 58 healthy subjects, 115 patients with MDD using two kinds of rhyming words by the method of focused attention. Results:1.In healthy group, no ear advantage was found in true words test, but appeared significant right ear (left-hemisphere) advantage in pseudo-words test. 2.In MDD group, there was also no ear advantage in true words test, but appeared enhanced right ear (left-hemisphere) advantage in pseudo-words test. There was a significant difference between the MDD and healthy subjects. Among patient group, 3. by true words test, no ear advantage was found in those with a comorbid anxiety disorder, but those without comorbid anxiety appeared right ear advantage. By pseudo-word test, both patients with or without comorbid anxiety appeared right ear (left-hemisphere) advantage, and those without had larger advantage. there was a significant difference between this two groups. 4.HAMD, HAMA and SCL-90 ratings had no relation to asymmetry scores of true words or that of pseudo-words.Conclusions:1. both healthy control and MDD patients have no ear advantage for process and cognition of true words in, but as for that of pseudo-words, both of them appear right ear (left-hemisphere) advantage, with the MDD patients have greater advantage. 2.The patients with or without a comorbid anxiety disorder were different in response, patients with comorbid anxiety appear more close to normal control. 4. Asymmetry scores don’t correlate significantly with the scores of HAMD, HAMA or SCL-90. 5.The pseudo-words is the better choice as stimuli for dichotic listening test.