The Effect of an Auditory Stressor, with Respect to Affective Style, on Frontal EEG Asymmetry and ERP Analysis

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of an auditory stressor, with respect to affective style, on frontal EEG asymmetry, ERP, and psychological stress. Twenty subjects were tested during the sound of a woman´s scream and the sound of birds. A greater negative N200 and positive P300 amplitude was exhibited for a woman´s scream compared with the sound of birds. A shorter N200 and P300 latency was exhibited. Also, a greater right frontal activity was found during a woman´s scream. Furthermore, the affective style of subjects according to an auditory stressor was found. Subjects in the stress group compared to other groups reported a higher level of stress on Cohen´s Perceived Stress Scale. These results demonstrate that a woman´s scream results in relatively greater right frontal activity and psychological stress and serves as an auditory stressor.