Hemispheric lateralization of emotions: absence of electrophysiological arguments.

EEG lateralization was examined during happy and sad emotional expression in 24 subjects. Happy and sad emotional states were induced by asking subjects to mentally review previously shown film-sequences. Our results failed to replicate those of previous studies, in that they showed no frontal alpha lateralization as a function of emotion. The authors discuss the literature and suggest caution before asserting the existence of electrophysiological arguments in favor lateralization of emotions in humans.