Final answer:
Negative emotions often stimulate greater activity in the right hemisphere of the brain, which is known for processing such emotions, and involves the amygdala's role in our emotional responses, particularly in relation to fear and anxiety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negative emotions evoke more activity on the right side of the brain. This lateralization of emotion is supported by research that indicates the right hemisphere of the brain is superior in processing negative emotions. The right hemisphere's activity can often be linked to negative emotional states and physiological responses associated with them, such as increased arousal and attention to potentially threatening stimuli.
The amygdala, which is part of the limbic system, plays a significant role in processing emotional information and can influence the hypothalamus, leading to activation of the sympathetic nervous system including the fight-or-flight response. It is heavily involved in emotions, especially fear and anxiety, and heightened amygdala activity is observed in mood and anxiety disorders. Moreover, increased amygdala activity is associated with learning to fear and is observed in individuals at risk for or suffering from mood disorders.
It is critical to note that behavior and emotional responses are complex, and while there is evidence of some degree of hemispheric dominance, it's better to consider how both hemispheres interact rather than attributing certain behaviors solely to one hemisphere. The brain works as an integrated system, with both hemispheres contributing to the processing of emotions.