Lin, H.a d , Liang, J.a , Xie, W.a , Li, S.a , Xiang, J.a , Xu, G.c , Bai, L.a , Jin, H.a b Sex differences in the modulation of emotional processing by expectation

摘要

Many studies have reported sex differences in processing emotional events, the valence of which are unknown in advance. The present study examined whether women and men differ in processing emotional events when they do have such expectations. Event-related potentials were recorded when participants were presented with emotional pictures, the valence of which was either expected or unexpected. For women, the modulation effect by expectation was found on the early N2 response; for men, the effect was found on the late positive component. Implications are discussed in light of evolutionary theories.