EEG correlates of subjectively rated attention level
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1
University of Wollongong, School of Psychology, Australia
Aims: The ability to maintain attention on an object or task is an important aspect of cognition and individual difference. Attention can mediate learning, and without it, individuals would struggle to achieve even the simplest of goals. Previous research has identified various electroencephalogram (EEG) correlates of attention; however most of the research has been on task-directed forms of attention. The aim of this study was to examine the EEG correlates of subjective attention states by inducing varied levels of attention in participants. Method: EEG was recorded from 53 participants during the presentation of pattern stimuli varying in complexity to which subjective ratings of attention level were obtained. This study presents a novel method of studying non-cognitive attention, allowing for its investigation in a laboratory setting. Results: The subjective ratings of 28 participants were analysed for correlations with their EEG. Results indicated that there were significant relationships between attention level and beta, alpha, and theta power. Theta, alpha, and beta power were found to significantly decrease as attention increased, indicating potential specific EEG markers for externally directed and non-cognitive attention. Furthermore, significant topographic changes were observed in the EEG that were dependent on attention level. Conclusions: This study provides new findings to the literature by using a novel method to investigate the EEG correlates of subjectively rated attention. The results have modest implications for neurofeedback training and can assist with the understanding of attention states and EEG.
Keywords:
EEG,
Attention,
Healthy adults,
Neurofeedback,
subjectivity
Conference:
ASP2016 - The 26th Annual Meeting of the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Adelaide Australia, Adelaide,SA, Australia, 12 Dec - 14 Dec, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Abstract (general)
Citation:
Johnstone
SJ and
Herbert
MA
(2016). EEG correlates of subjectively rated attention level.
Conference Abstract:
ASP2016 - The 26th Annual Meeting of the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Adelaide Australia.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2016.221.00024
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Received:
26 Oct 2016;
Published Online:
05 Dec 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Stuart J Johnstone, University of Wollongong, School of Psychology, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia, sjohnsto@uow.edu.au