# AFFECT AND CEREBRAL ASYMMETRY--A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · 1994 · $173,718

## Abstract

The objectives of this research program are to examine the
psychophysiological correlates of infant temperament and to investigate
the consequences of specific patterns of affective bias on social
behavior and peer interaction in school age children.  A variety of data
suggest that the pattern of EEG asymmetry recorded during a resting state
may be a marker for certain temperamental styles.  In general, subjects
with a pattern of greater relative right hemisphere activation are more
likely to respond with negative affect or dysphoric mood state in
response to mild stress or novelty.  This predisposition to respond with
negative affect nay, if it is stable through early childhood, have
important consequences for psychological well-being of children and
adolescents.  In an attempt to investigate the early origins of this
pattern of brain asymmetry and its consequences for later social
functioning two studies are proposed.  The first study will screen 400
four month old infants to select those who are on the extreme of motor
reactivity and affective bias.  Four groups will be selected: infants
with high motor reactivity and a predisposition to positive affect;
infants with high motor reactivity and a predisposition to negative
affect; infants with low motor reactivity and a predisposition to
positive affect and infants with low motor reactivity and a
predisposition to negative affect.  These four groups will be followed in
a longitudinal study in which their responses to a set of standard affect
elicitors will be monitored.  In addition, brain electrical activity will
be recorded at each assessment.  Infants will be seen at 9, 14, and 24
months of age. The relations between infant temperament and individual
patterns of EEG asymmetry across this period will be explored.  A second
study will examine the relations between EEG asymmetry and social
behavior in a group of randomly selected, non-referred, four year old
children.  These children will be assessed interacting with their peers
and individually for their affective bias.  Two assessments are planned:
one at age four and a second at age seven.  The stability of social
behaviors and individual patterns of EEG asymmetry and their
interrelations across the three year age span will be assessed.  This
research will be among the first to explore the relations between
patterns of brain electrical activity and social behaviors in infants and
young children and may yield important data on the psychophysiology of
early social development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197553
- **Project number:** 5R01HD017899-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NPU8ULVAAS23
- **Principal Investigator:** Nathan A Fox
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $173,718
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-04-01 → 1995-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197553

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197553, AFFECT AND CEREBRAL ASYMMETRY--A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH (5R01HD017899-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197553. Licensed CC0.

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