Cortical alpha rhythm, biofeedback, and the determinants of subjective state

A critical assumption in the rationale for the clinical application of voluntary control over central nervous system (CNS) activity is that there exists a direct relationship between specific CNS activities and specific subjective mood states. The experiment reported here was based on the idea that a joint manipulation of both cognitive and physiological (i.e., alpha electroencephalographic [EEG]) variables would provide information required for an explication of the processes involved in subjective mood change. Three main variables were considered in the present experiment. First, the instructions were designed to induce a "set" or expectations for either positive or negative changes in subjective mood. Second, the type of feedback (alpha or not alpha) was varied. Those in the not-alpha feedback condition received feedback contingent on the absence of alpha activity, whereas those in the alpha feedback condition received feedback contingent on the presence of alpha activity. Third, an estimate of each individual's baseline alpha density was obtained, and on this basis subjects were classified as high-baseline or low-baseline subjects. Baseline alpha density, alpha density during training, and subjective mood were all considered as continuous variables. The results of the present study indicate that biofeedback of the cortical alpha rhythm is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for changes in subjective mood. In addition, the type of instructions designed to set subjects for positive or negative alterations in subjective states is predictive of changes in subjective state reported during alpha biofeedback training as well as of success at controlling and changing EEG during feedback training. The data presented here permit a direct examination of the actual relationship of EEG changes to changes in subjective mood state. Similar shifts in subjective mood state can be obtained with either increases or decreases in alpha activity. Further, both positive and negative subjective experiences can be associated with increases in alpha activity.     

An economic model of scientific activity and truth acquisition

We wish to thank the following for helpful comments and discussion: Jim Cox, Hartry Field, David Hull, Mark Isaac, Isaac Levi, Vann McGee, Mike Phillips, Holly Smith, Meredith Williams, Michael Williams, and other audience members at Northwestern University and Western Washington University.     

Discourse functions of thematization and topicalization

Thematization, the relative frequency of a discourse referent, and topicalization are conceptualized as related discourse functions. In a probe recall experiment, a word with a thematized referent was a better recall probe than a word with a nonthematized referent. Also, an agent noun was a better prompt than a recipient, and this semantic variable interacted with topicalization such that a semantic recipient was a better prompt when it was topic than when it was comment. In a second experiment, subjects' choice between semantically equivalent active and passive sentences was influenced by thematization. Thematized nouns were chosen as topics more often than nonthematized nouns, and nouns used as paragraph titles were chosen as topics slightly more than nontitle nouns. It is suggested that twin discourse functions are served by thematization and topicalization, the former providing stable referential focus and the latter providing momentary referential focus.     

Expectancy confirmed again: A computer investigation of expectancy theory

A computerized attempt to replicate Aronson and Carlsmith's test of expectancy theory was conducted. Generally, subjects performed consistent with their expectancy, although the effect of expectancy was strongly attentuated by an overall achievement orientation. The results contradict the hypotheses that experimenter bias, demand characteristics, or differential recall of performance mediate the effects of expectancy upon performance.     

A measure of stereotyping in fear-of-success cues

Prior studies suggest that sex-role stereotypes influence responses to Horner's fear-of-success cue. This study investigates stereotypes about both sex roles and achievement settings. One hundred sixty college males and females wrote stories to different cues, then rated the masculinity-femininity of their characters. Both John and Anne were rated more masculine as medical students than in a neutral setting. Anne was rated more feminine than John in the neutral setting but equally masculine as a medical student. However, Anne's success was not regarded as maladaptive, but competent. Clearly Horner's cue reflects stereotypes; a more ambiguous cue might assess motives more effectively.Portions of this article were presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C., 1976. Special thanks to Professor Charles P. Smith for his advice and encouragement throughout this research.     

Sex-role identity as a moderator of the polarization effect in person perception

Male and female subjects with different sex-role identities (Androgynous, Masculine, Feminine, Undifferentiated) rated likability of male and female stimulus persons in the impression formation paradigm. Under certain conditions all the female subjects and feminine males manifested a polarization effect; that is, they made more polar ratings of opposite-sexed stimulus persons in contrast to same-sexed stimulus persons. On the other hand, under certain conditions Masculinetyped males rated male stimulus persons more negatively than female stimulus persons. Results were discussed in terms of moderating effects on the polarization phenomenon and possible explanatory mechanisms.     

Pursuit of comfort and pursuit of harmony: culture, relationships, and social support seeking

This research examined whether people from collectivistic cultures are less likely to seek social support than are people from individualistic cultures because they are more cautious about potentially disturbing their social network. Study 1 found that Asian Americans from a more collectivistic culture sought social support less and found support seeking to be less effective than European Americans from a more individualistic culture. Study 2 found that European Americans' willingness to seek support was unaffected by relationship priming, whereas Asian Americans were willing to seek support less when the relationship primed was closer to the self. Study 3 replicated the results of Study 2 and found that the tendency to seek support and expect social support to be helpful as related to concerns about relationships. These findings underscore the importance of culturally divergent relationship patterns in understanding social support transactions.