Social processing, frontal asymmetries and the effect of emotion based disorders upon brain functioning and behaviour in infancy

Graham, Katharine Anne (2014). Social processing, frontal asymmetries and the effect of emotion based disorders upon brain functioning and behaviour in infancy. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis had three main aims, firstly to explore the experience of auditory social and non-social stimuli upon infants brain functioning. Secondly to explore the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in social and non-social visual processing and anxiety. Lastly, to investigate the effect of a mother's depression upon infant behaviour. Chapter 1 explored the literature surrounding social and non-social processing in infancy, the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the effect of depression upon mother-infant interactions and brain functioning. Chapter 2 described the methods used within this thesis. Chapter 3 investigated the impact of speech and non-speech processing upon infant brain functioning. Social and non-social processing in the PFC in infancy was explored in chapter 4. Chapter 5 looked at the impact of a mothers anxiety upon infant frontal asymmetries. Meta-analyses were conducted in Chapter 6 to investigate differences in behaviour in the still-face paradigm between infants of depressed and infants of non-depressed mothers. Chapter 7 summarised the results of the thesis in terms of findings, implications of the results, directions for future work and limitations of the current thesis.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):