Individual Differences in Cognitive Performance Due to Right Hemisphere Arousal

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between individual differences in cognition and asymmetric patterns of cortical arousal in normal right-handed adults. Leftward asymmetry on a chimeric faces task was correlated with the ability to recognise faces and facial expression, and certain aspects of social skill. The correlation with face and emotional expression recognition was significant only for subjects who reported using a non-verbal strategy. These results further support the role of the right hemisphere in various aspects of social cognition, but also point to the need to consider individual differences in strategies employed during task performance.