Abstract
Attachment-related electrophysiological differences in emotional processing biases were examined using Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). We identified ERP correlates of emotional processing by comparing ERPs elicited in trials with angry and neutral faces. These emotional expression effects were then compared across groups with secure, anxious and avoidant attachment orientations. Results revealed significant interactions between attachment orientation and facial expression in mean amplitudes of the early C1 (50-80. ms post-stimulus) and P1 (80-120. ms post-stimulus) ERP components. Significant differences in C1 and P1 mean amplitudes were found at occipital and posterior-parietal channels in response to angry compared with neutral faces only within the avoidant attachment group. No such differences were found within the secure or anxious attachment groups. The present study underscores the usefulness of the ERP methodology, as a sensitive measure for the study of emotional processing biases in the research field of attachment.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 212-220 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Biological Psychology |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adult attachment
- Emotional processing bias
- Event-Related Potentials (ERPs)
- Facial expressions
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology