The relationship between theory of signal detection statistics d' and beta and 40-Hz EEG during performance on an auditory vigilance task

dc.contributor.advisorSheer, Daniel. E.
dc.contributor.advisorDoughtie, Eugene B.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberCarbonari, Joseph P., Jr.
dc.creatorAppleby, Michael S.
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-17T18:19:46Z
dc.date.available2023-01-17T18:19:46Z
dc.date.issued1986
dc.description.abstract40-Hz electroencephalographic activity was first noted in rhinencephalic structures in animals during performance on learning tasks and during periods of "hypervigilance". More recently, it has been measured in humans during performance on a variety of cognitive tasks. It has been proposed that this neural activity represents "focused arousal", a functional component of attention, and a neural model of its production has been developed involving the ascending cholinergic reticular system (Sheer, 1984). This conception of 40-Hz EEG potentially has great- implications for both neural and psychological models of attention and memory. However, most of the studies involving human subjects have utilized tasks involving more complex cognitve features. In order to make an unambiguous statement of the relationship of 40-hz EEG to the attention process, it is necessary to utilize a task which does not involve more complex cognitive processes. This study attempted to look more specifically at the role of 40-Hz EEG in attention, through the utilization of an auditory vigilance task. A vigilance task is defined as any task on which performance decreases as a function of time on task, with this decline interpreted as an inability of the subject to sustain attention. An application of the Theory of Signal Detection to the vigilance paradigm provided two variables of interest: 1. d1, which is observer sensitivity and in the vigilance situation represents the ability to sustain attention, was the primary dependent measure; 2. Beta, which is observer response bias and sometimes accounts for the vigilance decrement, was monitored as a control variable. It was hypothesized that the level of 40-Hz EEG measured from the scalp would be correlated with d1, but not Beta during task performance. These expected results were not evidenced. An explanation of these findings is discussed, with an emphasis on the vigilance task parameters and the behavioral data.
dc.description.departmentPsychology, Department of
dc.format.digitalOriginreformatted digital
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.other15366209
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/13475
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsThis item is protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. Section 107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work assume the responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing, or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires express permission of the copyright holder.
dc.subjectSignal detection (Psychology)
dc.subjectVigilance (Psychology)
dc.subjectElectroencephalography
dc.titleThe relationship between theory of signal detection statistics d' and beta and 40-Hz EEG during performance on an auditory vigilance task
dc.type.dcmiText
dc.type.genreThesis
thesis.degree.collegeCollege of Social Sciences
thesis.degree.departmentPsychology, Department of
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Houston
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts

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