Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background & Objectives: The evidences from various studies showed that brain cortical activity is affected by the affective induction. On the other hand, the affective tendency are associated with extraversion and neuroticism. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences in activity of different areas of brain cortex in both basic and affect induction status with regard to personality dimensions and sex. Material & Methods: 33 right-handed volunteers psychology students (17 males, 16 females) were selected and matched based on their general health scores. They were divided into two groups with positive and negative induction. Some video clips were made by researcher to induce affect. Research's tools include video clips, EEG, Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), General Health questionnaire (GHQ-28), Positive and negative affect scales (PANAS), The Briggs-Nebes's hand preference questionnaire. After quantifying, data were analyzed by means of Independent-samples T and Pearson correlation tests. Results: The right temporal activity in extraverts was more than introverts under positive affect induction. Furthermore, under the induction of negative affect, activity rates in right temporal, left temporal, right posterior and left posterior areas were more than status of positive affect induction. Significant inverse relationship was found between extraversion and activity of posterior, frontal and temporal right's areas in basic status. The brain activities of anterior, temporal and posterior right’s areas in men at the basic status were more than those of women. Conclusion: The Individuals' brain activity induced by positive & negative affect induction was different. In addition, personality dimensions had effect on different sites and areas of cortical activity. Sex can also considered as another effective factor in activity of some of these sites.