Cortical alpha asymmetry at central and posterior–but not anterior–sites is associated with individual differences in behavioural loss aversion

Eilish Duke, Robert Schnuerch, Gesine Heeren, Martin Reuter, Christian Montag, Sebastian Markett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Heightened sensitivity to losses, known as loss aversion, is a putative avoidance behaviour, which commonly influences decision-making, particularly in economic scenarios where participants have a 50/50 chance of winning or losing money. Evidence from neuropsychology, EEG and TMS research suggests individual differences in loss aversion may be explained by neural differences in the lateralisation of the right hemisphere. 40 healthy participants underwent an EEG recording during resting state and subsequently performed a behavioural loss aversion task, in which they had an equal chance of winning or losing money. EEG asymmetry in the alpha band at central and posterior sites was associated with individual differences in behavioural loss aversion. This asymmetry was driven by a combination of increased activation in the right hemisphere and decreased activation in the left hemisphere and the site of this asymmetry differed for females and males. These findings are discussed in relation to behavioural avoidance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)206-212
Number of pages7
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume121
Early online date3 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes

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