Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in Emotion Regulation : A Systematic Review of State and Trait Perspectives

Sammanfattning

Frontal alpha symmetry (FAA) is viewed as a neurophysiological marker of affective processing, linked to motivational orientation and emotion regulation. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 12 peer-reviewed studies (2014-2024) investigating whether FAA reflects stable trait-like emotional tendencies, dynamic state-related regulation, or both. Across diverse paradigms—including emotion induction, cognitive appraisal, mindfulness, and stress tasks—FAA patterns consistently aligned with theoretical models such as Davidson’s affective style framework and Coan’s capability model. Left-frontal activity was associated with approach-oriented regulation, reappraisal success, and resilience, whereas right-frontal activity was linked with withdrawal tendencies, suppression, and elevated stress reactivity. Studies employing resting EEG supported FAA as a trait-like predictor of emotional vulnerability or regulatory strength, while task-based designs revealed phasic shifts in FAA reflecting real-time regulatory engagement. The review also examined causality, identifying FAA as both antecedent and consequence of emotional processes, and highlighted the need for standardized methodological practices. Societal and ethical considerations are discussed, including potential applications in mental health, education, and performance contexts, alongside concerns about privacy, equity, and neuroethical use of FAA data. Overall findings support FAA as aa dual biomarker—tracking enduing affective style and moment-to-moment emotional modulation—with implications for both affective neuroscience and applied psychological practice.