Effects of valence and arousal on written word recognition: Time course and ERP correlates

► Emotionally valenced words are given processing priority compared to neutral words. ► This priority is reflected in behavioural as well as ERP measures. ► A trend towards a significant interaction of valence and arousal was found. ► The trend towards an interaction appears at early, implicit processing stages. ► Apparently, arousal modulates valence differently in positive and negative words.