Neural Correlates of Anxiety Induced by Environmental Events During Driving

Abstract

This study investigates brain activity related to drivers' anxiety induced by external situations during watching driving video using electroencephalography (EEG). We conducted a spectral analysis of 4 frequency bands, including theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands, of frontal brain oscillations known to be involved in emotion recognition. Furthermore, we calculated frontal asymmetry and beta/alpha ratio with respect to the valence-arousal domain. We confirmed that driver's perspective video could induce anxiety in the viewers and found three frontal EEG features pronounced in anxious situations: 1) smaller alpha power reflecting more cognitive control; 2) right dominance of theta and beta oscillations; and 3) greater difference between beta and alpha. These EEG features may provide a basis for developing technology to monitor drivers' emotional states in smart cars.