Fill in the blanks. EEG studies of the neocortex suggest that the __________ frontal lobe is more active when a person wants to approach something pleasant, while activity in the __________ frontal lobe is associated with wanting to withdraw from something unpleasant.

EEG studies of the neocortex suggest that the left frontal lobe is more active when a person wants to approach something pleasant, while activity in the right frontal lobe is associated with wanting to withdraw from something unpleasant.

• The human brain is divided into two hemispheres: the left and the right. Each of these hemispheres tends to specialize in different functions, a concept known as lateralization. The frontal lobe is associated with a variety of higher cognitive functions such as planning, decision making, and moderating social behavior.
• EEG, or electroencephalography, measures electrical activity in the brain and it’s often used in research because of its ability to detect fast changes in brain activity. Studies using EEG have suggested that when we experience something positive or are motivated to move toward a goal, the left frontal lobe tends to be more active. Conversely, when we encounter something aversive or want to avoid a situation, there is a relative increase in activity in the right frontal lobe.
• These differences in brain activity are associated with emotional and motivational processes. For instance, people who have a more active left frontal lobe tend to be more resilient in the face of stress and often report higher levels of happiness and positivity. Conversely, those with more right frontal lobe activity are more likely to experience negative emotions like fear and sadness, and they may have a stronger reaction to negative stimuli. However, it's important to keep in mind that the brain is highly interconnected, and functions are often more complex than a simple left-right division.