Resting Alpha Range Asymmetry in the Anterior Cortex As A Predictor of Trait-Like Communication Apprehension

Authors:

• Michael J. Beatty (University of Miami)
• Alan D. Heisel (Univ of Missouri, St. Louis)
• Robert J. Lewis (Univ of Missouri, St. Louis)
• Michelle E. Pence (Univ of Missouri, St. Louis)

Abstract:

In recent years, an impressive body of research indicates that one neurobiological substrate of avoidance tendencies and anxiety proneness is asymmetry in the resting electrical activity in the anterior cortex. The present study was patterned after the extant research: Resting anterior alpha range electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry was correlated with PRCA-24 scores. The observed correlation, r= .51, p<.05, was consistent with expectations based on previous research in theory. Theoretical implications are discussed.