Sequential unfolding of appraisals: EEG evidence for the interaction of novelty and pleasantness

Article Article scientifique Article Sequential unfolding of appraisals: EEG evidence for the interaction of novelty and pleasantness eng 2014 author Van Peer Jacobien 712132 author Grandjean Didier Maurice 502006 author Scherer Klaus R. 0000-0001-9526-0144 22696 51-63 10.1037/a0034566 24219392 1528-3542 http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2013-39650-001&site=ehost-live An important question in emotion research is what elicits emotions and causes variations in their quality and intensity. Appraisal theories propose a cognitive process through which stimuli are evaluated on a number of different criteria. The combination of results on these criteria determines which specific emotion is elicited. In the present study, we addressed several questions regarding the mechanisms underlying this process, specifically whether appraisal criteria are processed (a) in a fixed sequence, (b) independently of each other, and (c) by different neural structures or circuits. Two appraisal criteria, stimulus novelty and pleasantness, were manipulated with a 3-stimulus oddball paradigm with affective pictures. Electroencephalographic (EEG) markers for the appraisal processes were distinguished using a spatiotemporal clustering analysis. Consistent with theories that assume a fixed sequence of the appraisal process, the analyses revealed early effects of novelty on global field power and the topographical pattern of EEG activity, followed in time by effects involving pleasantness. Moreover, both measures showed significant interactions of novelty and pleasantness in late processing stages (650 ms-800 ms), indicating that the processing of pleasantness depends on the preceding appraisal of novelty. The results of spatiotemporal clustering suggest that the late processing of highly relevant stimuli is not based on a single mechanism, but consists of the initial activation of distinct neural processes to evaluate novel stimuli, followed by activation of different neural mechanisms for the combined evaluation of both novel and highly valenced (i.e., unpleasant or pleasant) stimuli (a distinction that is not apparent in conventional event-related potential measures). Dewey 128.37 Dewey 150 15 Centre interfacultaire en sciences affectives 0D8 108 Section de psychologie 71 false 1241 Affective sciences 594 Neuroscience de l'émotion et dynamiques affectives (NEAD) Emotion 14 1 190c4c81-c952-41bd-a73f-7f812aeda50f Article (Published version) Restricted Emotion2014_2013-39650-001.pdf 486658 application/pdf restrictedAccess Centres et instituts / Centre interfacultaire en sciences affectives Faculté de psychologie et des sciences de l'éducation / Section de psychologie

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Sequential unfolding of appraisals: EEG evidence for the interaction of novelty and pleasantness	Emotion			2014	675	9

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