Final answer:
The statement is false; both positive and negative emotions can generate strong levels of activation and can lead to the formation of lasting memories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Positive emotions tend to generate stronger levels of activation than do negative emotions" is false. While it is true that emotions can lead to different levels of activation within the brain, both positive and negative emotions can produce strong physiological and neurological responses. Strong emotions, irrespective of being positive or negative, have a significant impact on memory formation through a process known as the arousal theory. This means that intense emotional experiences, which can trigger a greater release of neurotransmitters and hormones, tend to create stronger and more lasting memories. In situations of stress, for example, the brain releases more glutamate, which helps reinforce the memory of that stressful event, exemplifying the flashbulb memory phenomenon.