Kardiosensibilität, Emotionsverarbeitung und Verhalten

This work "cardiosensitivity, emotion processing and behavior" is
concerned with the relevance of interoceptive sensitivity
(heartbeat perception) for emotion processing and behavioral
control. The first part of the monograph elaborately outlines
theoretical models underscoring the importance of somatic markers
and bodily signals for feelings, emotion, decision making and
behavior (e.g. W. James, Schachter & Singer, A. Damasio).
Ongoing insights of emotion research and neuroanatomic fundamentals
of emotion processing and visceroception are illustrated based on
current neuroscientific results. In the second part of the work
these models and findings provide a basis for the examination of
the relationship between interoceptive sensitivity
(cardiosensitivity) and a) emotion processing using paradigms of
EEG research (event related potentials), analyzing both the
higher-order processing (late potentials: P300, Slow Wave) and the
rapid, early processing (Early Posterior Negativity: EPN) of
emotional and neutral, visual stimuli, and b) behavioral control of
mental, emotional and physical stress, analyzing behavioral (free
viewing time, physical effort) and physiological variables
(impedance cardiography, EKG). The results of the studies
demonstrated that interoceptive sensitivity is remarkably
positively related to the intensity of both higher-order processing
of emotional, visual stimuli and early, visual processing of
rapidly presented emotional pictures at temporo-occipital brain
regions. Behavioral and physiological data from the behavioral
studies showed that persons with good interoceptive sensitivity
(good heartbeat perceivers) demonstrate a more subtle and cautious
behavioral self-control of mental, emotional as well as physical
stress than persons with poor interoceptive sensitivity (poor
heartbeat perceivers). The findings are discussed within the
context of the described models by James and Damasio as well as
topical findings from neuroscientific emotion research. Finally,
the results are integrated within a detailed survey on future
research on interoception.