Visual-field bias in the judgment of facial expression of emotion

The left and right hemispheres of the brain are differentially related to t he processing of emotions. Although there is little doubt that the right he misphere is relatively superior for processing negative emotions, controver sy exists over the hemispheric role in the processing of positive emotions. Eighty right-handed normal male participants were examined for visual-fiel d (left-right) differences in the perception of facial expressions of emoti on. Facial composite (RR, LL) and hemifacial (R, L) sets depicting emotion expressions of happiness and sadness were prepared. Pairs of such photograp hs were presented bilaterally for 150 ms, and participants were asked to se lect the photographs that looked more expressive. A left visual-field super iority (a right-hemisphere function) was found far sad facial emotion. A he mispheric advantage in the perception of happy expression was not found.