Evidence for sex differences in right-hemisphere dominance for emotions

Discriminative reaction times to the six emotions that can more reliably be recognised in the human face were measured in 24 normal subjects (12 males and 12 females). Stimuli appeared to the right or the left of fixation point and the subject discriminated target from non-target emotions by a motor response. In the case of female subjects responses were faster with left visual field presentation, indicating a right hemisphere superiority in the discrimination. In the case of male subjects no consistent lateral asymmetry was found.