Anger and asymmetrical frontal cortical activity: Evidence for an anger–withdrawal relationship

Abstract

Anger has been associated with relative left frontal cortical activity, reflecting its approach (vs. withdrawal) motivational tendency. However, there may be contexts in which anger is associated with withdrawal motivation and, hence, relative right frontal cortical activity. Based on past research, we hypothesised that for some individuals, interracial interactions may be one such context, as societal pressure to be politically correct dictates that anger should not be expressed. Thus, in the context of an interracial interaction, the experience of anger may coincide with a desire to withdraw from the situation. Cortical activity was measured while White participants anticipated an interracial interaction. Consistent with expectations, self-reported anger was associated with relative right frontal cortical activity. In general, the motivational correlates of anger may be partially determined by the specific attributes of the person and the social context in which anger occurs.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation (BCS-0350435) and by National Institute of Mental Health Emotion Training Grant T32-MH18931–14.

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Jed Rosenkrantz, Naomi Cigan, and Vivenne Yeh in collecting the data reported in this article.

Notes

¹Analyses including all 61 participants revealed an identical pattern of results.

²Because change scores can produce misleading results, Cohen et al. (2003) recommend using residualised scores. However, the pattern of results was identical using change scores (pre-interaction–baseline).