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Abstract:
In contrast to the growing literature on emotional picture processing, there are only a few studies exploring emotional processes with sounds. We aimed to investigate electrophysiological parameters of emotions elicited by short nonhuman sounds with different emotional valence (unpleasant, pleasant, neutral). Electrodermal activity (EDA) and the event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) in different frequency bands of the EEG were analyzed as psychophysiological indicators of emotional processing. In general, electrophysiological parameters during unpleasant sounds differed significantly from pleasant and neutral sounds. We found a greater EDA activity, a stronger ERS (0-400ms) within the theta band, as well as a stronger ERD (800-1300ms) within the alpha bands during unpleasant compared to pleasant and neutral sounds. These results demonstrate a higher emotional and attentive relevance of unpleasant nonhuman sounds, presumably due to biological defense mechanisms.
