No Effects of Verbal Versus Imaginal Cognitive Strategies on Emotional Responses to Aversive Slides

A number of studies have indicated that the right hemisphere is specialized for (negative) emotions. Some authors have suggested that this specialized stems from the cognitive characteristics of this hemisphere. More specifically, the verbal and analytic approach that characterizes left hemisphere functioning would inhibit emotional reactions, whereas the imaginal and global approach that characterizes right hemisphere functiong would facilitate emotional reactivity. The present study examined whether these two cognitive strategies have, indeed, different effects on emotional responsivity.