Hemispheric Specialization in Nonverbal Communication

Subjects sustaining right hemisphere damage were impaired in the ability to evaluate emotional situations presented through nonverbal means, particularly through facial expressions. Left brain damage, even of considerable extent, led to significantly milder deficits. In agreement with these findings, a study in split-brain patients showed the isolated right hemisphere to be competent in evaluating facial expressions but less sensitive to body movements, while the left hemisphere showed the opposite pattern.

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