Asymmetric Activation of Frontal Brain Regions during Cognitive Reappraisal Generation—A Function of Implemented Reappraisal Strategy?

Prefrontal cortex activity facilitates emotion regulation by cognitive reappraisal. Yet, neuroimaging studies have yielded disparate findings as to whether relatively greater left or right prefrontal activity is more beneficial for reappraisal success. We argue that differences in hemispheric activation during reappraisal efforts may depend on the specific and diverse cognitive strategies utilized to reappraise negative stimuli. In this EEG study, n = 94 participants were randomly assigned to three groups and instructed to either generate problem-oriented reappraisals, positive reinterpretations, or distancing reappraisals for anger-eliciting situations while EEG alpha asymmetry changes in the prefrontal cortex were recorded (F3–F4, F7–F8, and Fp1–Fp2). Engaging in problem orientation yielded a right-lateralized frontal activation pattern and was linked to the highest reappraisal success (percentage of strategy-conforming reappraisals), along with the highest believability ratings. Conversely, engaging in distancing reappraisal yielded a left-lateralized frontal EEG pattern, along with the highest ideational fluency and lowest anger ratings post-reappraisal. No distinct asymmetry pattern emerged for positive reinterpretation; however, this reappraisal condition yielded the lowest reappraisal success and lowest believability ratings. For all groups, higher reappraisal capacity correlated with right-lateralized frontal activity. Frontal EEG alpha asymmetry observed during reappraisal may be a specific function of implemented reappraisal strategy rather than general ideational fluency.