The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Theory and research suggest that sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), found in roughly 20% of humans and over 100 other species, is a trait associated with greater sensitivity and responsiveness to the environment and to social stimuli. Self-report studies have shown that high-SPS individuals are strongly affected by others' moods, but no previous study has examined neural systems engaged in response to others' emotions.

Methods

This study examined the neural correlates of SPS (measured by the standard short-form Highly Sensitive Person [HSP] scale) among 18 participants (10 females) while viewing photos of their romantic partners and of strangers displaying positive, negative, or neutral facial expressions. One year apart, 13 of the 18 participants were scanned

SUBMITTER: Acevedo BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4086365 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature