The relationship between magnitude of cerebral activation and intensity of emotional arousal

There is considerable knowledge concerning the cerebral localization of positive and negative emotions; however, relatively little is known about the cerebral representation of subjective emotional intensity. Indeed, few studies to date seem to have been conducted on the cerebral effects of increased emotional intensity. The purpose of the present investigation was to investigate the relationship between the intensity of cerebral activation and emotional arousal using quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). Participants were asked to recollect an angry memory while QEEG was recorded from 19 electrode sites arranged according to the International 10/20 System. Significant positive correlations were found between subjective intensity of angry memories and changes in low beta (13-21 Hz) and high beta (21-32 Hz) magnitude (muV) at the F8, T6, and 01 electrode sites among the male participants. Additionally, a significant positive cot-relation between emotion intensity and changes in high beta at the T6 electrode site was found among female participants. Results are discussed in terms of implications for emotional regulation and dysfunction.