bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of Sleep Measures
Authors: Moses J. , Lubin A. , Naitoh P. , Johnson L. C.
Published: February 2007

The reliability of sleep measures was calculated over two nights (and within the nights) for 20 young adult males. Percent time in stages 1, 2, 3, and 4, percent movement time, number of movements, and number of stage changes were significantly correlated between Ss over nights. The percent REM time and REM cycle duration were not significantly correlated over nights. Within Ss, the length of the REM period had a significant negative correlation with the length of the preceding NREM period but not with the following NREM period. These data raise questions as to the use of the standard sleep measures as reliable human traits in young male adults.
Congenital Nystagmus and Sleep: A Replication
Authors: Arkin Arthur M. , Lutzky Harriet , Toth Max F.
Published: February 2007

In 8 subjects with congenital nystagmus, clearly manifested nystagmus was present while awake, with eyes open and closed, and during a variety of experimental tests, but could not be definitely discerned during REM and NREM sleep stages. However, conjugate REMs were present during the REMPs of all 8 subjects and could not be distinguished from patterns recognized in normal subjects. Brief episodes of reduced amplitude series of jerks were occasionally observed which could be considered to be “depressed” nystagmus, but such phenomena have been observed in the records of normal subjects. This replicates the findings of our previous report.
Characteristics of the Orienting Response in Hyperactive and Normal Children
Authors: Cohen Nancy J. , Douglas Virginia I.
Published: February 2007

Characteristics of the skin conductance orienting response (OR) to nonsignal and signal stimuli in 20 hyperactive and 20 normal children were compared. When 30 nonsignal tone stimuli of 6‐sec duration and 70 db intensity were presented, attributes of the OR to stimulus onset and its habituation were similar for both groups. However, when the task demands increased and Ss were required to make an active response to discrete stimuli in a delayed reaction time (RT) task, controls exhibited a significant increase in both tonic and phasic OR measures while hyperactives remained relatively unresponsive. Performance on the RT task was also clearly deficient in the hyperactive Ss; compared to controls, hyperactives exhibited slower RTs and a greater amount of variability in performance. It was suggested that for the hyperactives the warning signal given at the outset of each RT trial did not have the intended effect of alerting the S and preparing him to respond to the reaction signal.
Alterations in Cardiac Contractility During Classical Aversive Conditioning in Dogs: Methodological and Theoretical Implications
Authors: Obrist Paul A. , Howard James L. , Lawler James E. , Sutterer James R. , Smithson Kenneth W. , Martin Philip L.
Published: February 2007

An investigation of sympathetic influences on the heart was undertaken in dogs using classical aversive conditioning procedures. For this purpose, heart rate and cardiac contractile changes were measured, the latter using techniques assessing the rate of change or slope at which either the muscles of the left ventricle contract, or blood is accelerated in the ascending aorta, or the pulse pressure wave ascends from diastole to systole. Sympathetic influences were found to be more clearly manifest in contractile rather than heart rate changes as indicated by the greater attenuating influence of beta‐adrenergic blockade on anticipatory and unconditioned responses. Anticipatory sympathetic influences on the heart were commonly acute, becoming minimal upon repeated exposure to the aversive procedures. The rate of change or slope measures appear to detect sensitively extrinsic sympathetic influences on contractility. They are minimally influenced by intrinsic effects on contractility such as heart rate as well as non‐contractile events such as diastolic blood pressure. The slope of the ascending limb of the pulse pressure wave appears to offer a means of assessing contractility in human Ss.
Performance and Arousal as a Function of Incentive, Information Load, and Task Novelty
Authors: Wilkinson Robert T. , El‐Beheri Sami , Gieseking Charles C.
Published: February 2007

Pulse and respiration rate, pulse volume, skin conductance level, and muscle tension were recorded from 12 S8 while they carried out a 40‐min test of choice serial reaction in which incentive level, task difficulty (number of choices), and task novelty (or practice) were varied. 1) Little unanimity was observed among the physiological measures in responding to these task variables. Incentive was reflected in pulse rate, respiration rate, and skin conductance level; task difficulty in pulse volume; and novelty in respiration rate and muscle tension. 2) Only when the effects of information load and practice could be held constant was there any sign of an inverted‐U relationship between performance and physiological level. 3) Although both choice and incentive had significant effects on performance, the two did not interact.
Signal Averaging the Human Somatosensory Evoked Response: A Focal Evoked Response?
Authors: Stowell Hilton
Published: February 2007

The aim of this study was to compare stimulus‐time‐locked electrical activity obtained from two widely separated cranial sites. Simultaneous records were signal‐averaged from human scalp over postcentral gyrus and from three different orbital derivations, during repetitive, controlled mechanical indentation of the contralateral finger pad. Precautions were taken to exclude known sources of extra‐cranial stimulus‐time‐locked artifacts. Reliable somatosensory evoked responses (SERs) appeared in the parietal derivation; one of the orbital derivations showed more variable, but repeatable, activity, having always a broad negativity similar to that of the SER, and sometimes an early positive of shorter latency than the first positive of the SER. Such orbital activity may originate from the corneo‐retinal potential or from the frontal eye fields of the cortex, and is not necessarily stimulus‐time‐locked, since it appeared in the absence of programmed stimulation, when no SER was recorded. Data derived by other workers directly from the middle frontal gyrus are cited.
Magnetic Tape Stimulus Programmer Using Touch‐Tone Equipment
Authors: Oehler Fred A. , Elgie Hal , Callaway Enoch
Published: February 2007

A simple, inexpensive apparatus for programming multiple aperiodic stimuli can be constructed using an inexpensive casette tape recorder, a Touch‐Tone generator, and commercially available integrated circuit decoders.
Cumulative Expectancy, Subjective Report of Alertness, and Electrodermal Activity
Authors: Gale Anthony , Bull Ray , Haslum Mary
Published: February 2007

Skin conductance was monitored during a vigilance task in which the S responded to wanted signals. The wanted signal was a sequence of three consecutive odd digits (e.g. 1, 3, 7, +). Non‐wanted signals also contained three consecutive digits; of these, two, one, or none were odd (e.g. 1, 1, 2, +, or 1, 4, 6, +, or 2, 4, 6, +). (The plus signs following each signal served to separate the individual signals from each other and may therefore be treated as rest periods.) Since the S must respond to a series of odd digits the different signal types vary in their power to induce a state of cumulative expectancy in the S. Ss were informed that a monetary reward was dependent upon fast and accurate response. Electrodermal activity was quantified in terms of change in conductance (SCR), either increase (SCR+) or decrease (SCR–) associated with particular sequences of digits. Results indicate: 1) SCR+ for wanted signals progressively increases as the sequence accumulates, with maximum SCR+ on the final digit and a large SCR– on the plus sign. 2) Odd numbers are generally associated with SCR+ whereas even numbers and plus signs are associated with SCR–. 3) Ss report post‐test that they were more alerted by odd digits. 4) Reaction time to wanted signals does not correlate with SCL at time of response, with latency of the associated SCR, nor with pre‐ and post‐signal SCRs. 5) Intra‐individual analysis yields no evidence for operation of the Law of Initial Value.
Intensity Judgments and Physiological Response Amplitude
Authors: Bull Kenneth , Lang Peter J.
Published: February 2007

Heart rate and cortical evoked responses to 5 sound intensities were examined in 7 subjects, who were instructed to judge the intensity rank of each stimulus. The cortical potential exhibited a predominantly linear relationship to intensity, with larger responses evoked by the louder tones. However, heart rate showed both a significant linear and a significant quadratic relationship. The latter tendency, for larger responses to occur for high and low tones, increased progressively over trial series. These results were paralleled by a quadratic relationship between stimulus intensity and judgment errors and between intensity and reaction time to stimulus offset (fewer errors and shorter latencies for high and low “anchor” tones). These findings show that both physical intensity and the subject's ability to discriminate stimuli modulate the amplitude of some physiological responses, and the latter factor increases in influence as the subject becomes more familiar with the stimulus set.
Pupil Size and Instructional Set in Recognition and Recall
Authors: Stanners Robert F. , Headley Donald B.
Published: February 2007

When Ss were given different pretask instructions prior to engaging in a memory task, pupil size distinguished three phases of cognitive processing. The pretask instructions were formed from the combinations of (a) whether or not S had to perform a rehearsal‐interference task prior to a recognition test and (b) whether or not S had to recall the material (digits) after the recognition test. The first phase of cognitive processing indicated by the pupil response was associated with the comprehension of the pretask instructions; there were no differences in amount of dilation for the various instructions during this phase. The second phase was interpreted as a preparedness state; the amount of pupil dilation depended on the type of pretask instruction and the differences in dilation occurred prior to the actual presentation of the material. The third phase was associated with the actual processing of the materials, and the level of dilation and rate of increase were related to the pretask instructions. Pupil size increased more rapidly when S had been given the pretask instruction that recall was required after the recognition test than when only recognition was demanded.
A Survey of the Sources and Availability of Computer Software Applicable to Psychophysiological Research in the Periodical Literature
Authors: Kahn S David , Bowne Glenda W. , Swint Emmett B.
Published: February 2007

PP‐T0003‐0‐I The increased usage of small computers in the research laboratory has made it necessary for the individual investigator to become familiar with computer science. A survey of sources, availability, and types of information distributed about computer software was made to determine their relevance to psychophysiology. Periodicals are divided into five classes and discussed as to the assets and liabilities of some of the present indexing and source references. The desirability of increasing the accessibility of software applications to psychophysiology is noted.
Reinforcement of Spontaneous Electrodermal Activity: A Cross‐Cultural Study in Japan
Authors: Shapiro David , Watanabe Takami
Published: February 2007

A within‐subjects experimental design was used to examine the effects of contingent vs noncontingent reinforcement of spontaneous skin potential responses in Japanese subjects and the results were compared with previous data obtained from a comparable sample, of American subjects. The same overall pattern of differentiation between the two conditions of reinforcement was observed in both national groups, contingent reinforcement producing heightened rates of skin potential response relative to noncontingent reinforcement. Compared to the Americans, the Japanese showed more immediate differentiation between contingent and noncontingent reinforcement. The results are discussed in terms of previous crosscultural psychophysiological research.
Tryptophan and Sleep in Young Adults
Authors: Griffiths William J. , Lester Boyd K. , Coulter Joe D. , Williams Harold L.
Published: February 2007

Oral administration of L‐tryptophan increases brain serotonin levels by following normal 5‐hydroxyindole pathways (Moir & Eccleston, 1968). Since recent studies (Jouvet, 1969) suggest that serotonin is important in controlling sleep mechanisms, L‐tryptophan provides a useful method for investigating further the role of serotonin in sleep. In two experiments, EEG sleep patterns from 21 young adult males were examined following moderate (7.5 g) and high (12 g) oral doses of L‐tryptophan. Moderate doses produced sedative effects (reports of extreme drowsiness and reduced time awake) accompanied by increased slow‐wave sleep. The only effects on REM parameters were a trend (in some Ss) to early onset of stage REM, a small decrease in the period of the REM cycle, and decreased density of rapid eye movements. With the high dose, Ss again reported extreme drowsiness, and time to sleep onset was decreased. However, changes in SW sleep and waking time appeared only as non‐significant trends. In the high‐dose group, percent of REM sleep was markedly increased, due to early onset of stage REM and to increased duration of REM episodes during the second half of the night. EEG sleep patterns on recovery nights following large doses of tryptophan were not systematically different from baseline nights. These results indicate that the changes in sleep patterns produced by L‐tryptophan, presumably acting through 5‐hydroxyindole pathways, are dependent on dose. The findings are consistent with the idea that serotonin, or one of its metabolites, is involved in the mechanisms controlling both SW and REM sleep.
Interrelationships Among Performance, Circulating Concentrations of Adrenaline, Noradrenaline, Glucose, and the Free Fatty Acids in Men Performing a Monitoring Task
Authors: O'Hanlon James F. , Horvath Steven M.
Published: February 2007

This investigation was to determine the interrelationships among circulating concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose, and “free” fatty acids ([A], [NA], [G], and [FFA], respectively) in 11 men at rest and while performing “mental” work, i.e., a visual monitoring task. They performed the task and on another occasion served in a control condition where they merely watched slide projections. Basal levels of both [A] and [NA] were inversely related to [G]. [A] increased initially during the task but later returned to its basal level. The decline in [A] paralleled performance in the task. [A] declined to below its basal level in the control condition. [NA] was not related to performance in the task. [G] and [FFA] were elevated with respect to corresponding basal levels in both the task and the control condition. The bearing of the results upon current theories of human vigilance and psychophysiological mobilization during mental work was discussed.
Correlation Between Measures of the Rapid Eye Movements of Wakefulness and Sleep
Authors: de la Peña A. , Zarcone V. , Dement W. C.
Published: February 2007

Literature review suggested that certain properties of the REMs of wakefulness and REM sleep show changes with experience and/or maturation. A positive correlation was predicted to obtain between measures of REM sleep intensity and waking information search organization/activity in normal human adults. A correlational study of the REMs of sleep and wakefulness in 9 college‐age Ss corroborated the hypothesis. Percentage REM sleep did not correlate significantly with any of the waking REM measures. Implications of the results for current theories and future research on REM sleep–waking perception interrelationships were described.
REM Sleep Interruption: Experimental Shortening of REM Period Duration
Authors: Fiss Harry , Ellman Steven J.
Published: February 2007

This experiment concerns itself with the extent to which psychological factors can influence normal sleep patterns. After 4 baseline nights of uninterrupted sleep, each of 4 Ss was awakened in the course of 2 nights during every REM period about 10 min following each REM onset. Ss, however, were not REM deprived. The interruption nights were followed by a recovery night of uninterrupted sleep. All nights were consecutive. The results show that during recovery nights all Ss continued to have significantly shorter than normal REM periods by going into NREM sleep at about the time they would have been awakened during the interruption nights. These shortened REM periods occurred even during early morning hours, when REM periods normally become longer. Arguments are advanced that this finding may best be explained in terms of a conditioned avoidance response.
Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Authors: Van Egeren Lawrence F.
Published: February 2007

General multivariate statistical theory and three statistical models (multi‐variate analysis of variance, canonical correlation analysis, and factor analysis) are described. Numerical examples, mathematical notes, an annotated bibliography, and references to computer programs are presented. Multivariate procedures are described as generalizations from univariate statistical theory where possible. The advantages to psychophysiologists of determining the organization of a complicated physiological response system through multivariate statistical procedures are discussed.
Respiratory‐Cardiac Relationships in Children
Authors: Sroufe L. Alan , Morris David
Published: February 2007

The effects of breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability were assessed in 6‐, 8‐, and 10‐year‐old boys. Rate of breathing affected only heart rate variability, with faster breathing producing more stable heart rate. Replicating previous findings with adults, depth of breathing affected both heart rate and heart rate variability, with deep breathing producing the fastest, most variable heart rate. The absolute effects of the respiratory manipulations on heart rate variability were found to be greater for children than for adults, and there was also a developmental trend of both decreasing heart rate and variability. Implications of these findings for developmental studies using heart rate as a dependent measure are discussed.
Averaged Evoked Responses To Tapping: A One‐Subject Scalp Study of Large Signals
Authors: Stowell Hilton
Published: February 2007

Somatosensory evoked responses (SERs) of unusual amplitude were averaged from the scalp of one subject, for inspection of the time‐course of the early positive‐negative waveform (P1 to NH). These early components had a peak‐to‐peak half period of 10–14 msec, for varied stimulus locations and intensities, while their amplitude and latencies varied monotonically with stimulus intensity and sensory level. The time‐course of the P1 to NH components conformed with that observed for the postsynaptic soma‐dendritic response to direct stimulation of sensory cortex (DCR) in other mammals. Inspection of the later waveform, up to 125 msec poststimulus‐onset (PSO), revealed no negative later than the NH, which peaked at 43–45 msec for digital stimulation. Mechanical stimulation of the digits in the absence of the usual masking noise evoked a different waveform having significant earlier and later components.
The Effects of Attention, Stimulus Intensity, and Individual Differences on the Average Evoked Response
Authors: Schechter Gail , Buchsbaum Monte
Published: February 2007

The effects of shifting attention toward or away from visual or auditory stimuli of varying intensities were studied using average evoked responses (AERs) in 24 normal human volunteers. Ss were asked to attend to visual or auditory stimuli of four intensities (randomly presented) or to ignore the lights and tones and do mental arithmetic. For visual stimuli, attentional effects were largest at low intensities whereas for auditory stimuli equal effects were shown across intensities. Similar individual rates of increase of AER amplitude with increasing intensity were observed for both visual and auditory stimuli when attentional conditions were controlled.

These results suggest that some general intensity processing response is reflected in the AER and that it is important to control attention in AER experiments.
Respiration Sinus Arrhythmia in Psychotic Children
Authors: Piggott Leonard R. , Ax Albert F. , Bamford Jacqueline L. , Fetzner Joanne M.
Published: February 2007

Ten psychotic and 10 normal children, paired for age and sex, were compared for respiratory sinus arrhythmia differences under conditions of spontaneous and 5, 10, and 15 sec interval breathing. Cardiac rate and respiratory changes were simultaneously recorded. Parameters of degree of change and timing for each respiratory‐cardiac cycle and its associated changes in heart rate were measured and compared statistically. Results show significant differences between psychotics and normal controls as follows:

The psychotics did not sustain the acceleratory phase of the cardiac cycle as did the controls.

The lag intervals (interval between onset of inspiration and onset of cardiac acceleration, interval between onset of expiration and onset of cardiac deceleration) were more consistent for the normal controls than for the psychotics.

At maximum respiratory depths the psychotics no longer demonstrated a direct relationship between depth of respiration and degree of cardiac rate change as did the controls.

We conclude that there is a different or less well‐coordinated combination of operative forces in the sinus arrhythmia mechanism of the psychotics as compared to the controls.
Comparative Study of Conditioning of Averaged Evoked Responses By Coupling Sound and Light in Normal and Autistic Children
Authors: Lelord G. , Laffont F. , Jusseaume P. , Stephant J. L.
Published: February 2007

This study compared the conditioning of averaged evoked potentials in 11 psychotic and 11 normal children (57 experiments). Evoked potentials, like the blocking of alpha rhythm, can be conditioned by coupling a short sound of low intensity with an intense light flash.

In normal children, the amplitude of the potential evoked by sound at the occipital region is small and quite variable. Its amplitude increases and its variability diminishes after coupling of sound and light. Also its form may resemble the potential evoked by light, especially in its rhythmic after‐effects.

In psychotic children auditory evoked responses are variable and small and remain so during the coupling of sound and light.

Instead, these patients respond to the sound with a late slow wave, which is strong and generalized. It is particularly prominent during conditioning and resembles the slow waves which follow the visual evoked potentials in these autistic children. This slow wave can be experimentally reproduced in normal Ss by Psilocybine. It also resembles in certain ways the slow waves provoked by movement or its anticipation in normal Ss but it appears here during sensorial conditioning which requires no movement. We suspect that this slow wave may reflect a diffuse motor component in the perceptual and associative processes of these autistic children.
Effects of Night Duty on Sleep Patterns of Nurses
Authors: Bryden Greer , Holdstock T. L.
Published: February 2007

The diurnal sleep patterns of female nurses working night duty were compared to their nocturnal sleep patterns while they were working regular hours during the day. Continuous EEG, EOG, and EMG recordings were made at the end of 2 month periods of night and day duty respectively. Day and night sleep differed with respect to both duration and pattern. Despite an earlier onset, the major sleep period was shorter during the day than the night and seemed to be more interrupted later in the session. This finding is in keeping with the increased amount of Stage 1 and decreased amount of slow wave sleep during the day than the night. Although no differences were evident with respect to overall percent REM, differences in the distribution of REM did occur. REM sleep occurred sooner during day than night sleep and there was more of it during the first part of day sleep. Thus night duty seemed to affect the pattern of sleep stage distribution as well as the absolute amount of, not only total sleep, but also some sleep stages, such as Stage SS. It is an open question how the naps of extended duration taken while on night duty influence the pattern of sleep during the day.
Peak Identification in Visual Evoked Potentials
Authors: Hall Robert A. , Rappaport Maurice , Hopkins H. Kenneth , Griffin Ralph B.
Published: February 2007

Waveform patterns evoked by 4 intensities of flash in normal subjects were studied in relation to intersubject variability. Time‐frequency distribution curves of all peaks occurring between 11 and 280 msec after flash onset and meeting minimal criteria were obtained from 46 males. These distributions closely corresponded to similar data reported by others for single intensity stimulation. An algorithm was developed which identified in 67 to 100% of instances a single “peak event’ within the time ranges of each of 6 peak distributions. Many peak events appeared and disappeared within the 4 intensity sets of individuals. Latencies were obtained for these peak events. Application of the algorithm to a replicate sample of 29 Ss, which included 8 females, indicated generalizability. Test‐retest data on 15 Ss showed its reliability. The data suggest that methodology significantly contributes to the variability of peak identification among subjects. This may be reduced by employing multiple intensities of stimulation.
Expectancy and Magnitude of Reaction to a Noxious UCS
Authors: Epstein Seymour
Published: February 2007

The relationship between expectancy and magnitude of reaction to a noxious UCS was examined in studies using a classical conditioning paradigm, in habituation studies, and in studies using a count‐up to stimulus presentation. An initial hypothesis that accurate expectancy reduces reactivity was found inadequate, and replaced by one that stated that accurate expectancy facilitates habituation. Although this hypothesis was consistent with the data reviewed, it was concluded that it, too, requires modification. The final hypothesis proffered was that accurate expectancy facilitates habituation when it fosters appropriate modulation of attention, which, for highly threatening stimulation, consists of a degree of restriction of attention to begin with, followed by increasing attention to new elements of the stimulus complex as reactivity to old elements is reduced.
Auditory Evoked Responses to Unpredictable Stimuli
Authors: Roth Walton T.
Published: February 2007

The auditory evoked response (AER) to unpredictable stimuli was studied in 18 Ss. 100 msec sound bursts consisting of either a pure tone or white noise were presented every sec. One type of stimulus constituted the frequent expected stimulus and the other the infrequent stimulus that occurred as a random substitution. For the low probability (LP) stimulus condition, the mean ratio of infrequent to frequent was 1:30; for the intermediate probability (IP), 1:15; and for the high probability (HP), 1:7.5. Ss were instructed to ignore the sounds.

The amplitude of a late positive wave (P3) of the AER was largest in the LP and smallest in the HP condition. There was a general decrease of all AER components over the course of a session. No evidence of dishabituation in the AER to the stimuli following the infrequent stimuli was obtained. The results of a detailed analysis of two orbital leads make it unlikely that eye movement or eye blink could account for the results.
Word‐Association Latency in Normal Children During Development and the Relation of Brain Electrical Activity
Authors: Surwillo Walter W.
Published: February 2007

Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded in a group of 37 normal boys aged 92–206 months during performance of a word‐association task. Ss were instructed to say the first word that came to mind, as quickly as possible, following presentation of each of 18 stimulus words that were familiar to young children. Word‐association latency, or the associative reaction time (RT), was analyzed only for trials in which a stimulus word evoked the same response word. Younger children were found to have significantly longer associative RTs than older children, with associative RT decreasing with increasing age according to a reciprocal power‐law function. Comparison of this function with similar functions relating simple and disjunctive RT to age, suggested that the longer word‐association latencies of children could not be attributed merely to developmental differences in non‐verbal processes or processes concerned primarily with speed of responding. Sufficient EEG data for analysis were available for only 5 of the stimulus‐response word combinations, and for these data, average EEG period from the left hemisphere was significantly different from (longer than) EEG period from the right hemisphere. Results of a partial‐correlation analysis showed that left‐hemisphere differences in EEG period between Ss can account, in part, for the relationship between associative RT and age, while right‐hemisphere differences in EEG period cannot. Although this suggested a hypothesis which ascribes the long word‐association latencies of young children to age‐associated differences in EEG period of the left hemisphere, evidence was inconclusive.
The Educational Process in Psychophysiology
Authors: Johnson Harold J. , May Jerry R.
Published: February 2007

A questionnaire was sent to members of the Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR) in order to determine the nature and direction of education in the field of psychophysiology. The results revealed that a number of academic institutions are offering formal courses in psychophysiology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. A brief description of the general course outlines and laboratory requirements is presented. The need for increased communication with respect to educational processes was expressed by many respondents. It is suggested that a forum for the exchange of ideas concerning education in psychophysiology should be available at the annual SPR meeting.
Effect of Knowledge of Response on the Self‐Control of Heart Rate
Authors: Blanchard Edward B. , Scott Robert W. , Young Larry D. , Edmundson And Eileen D.
Published: February 2007

At an initial session groups of Ss either were (1) correctly informed of the response to be controlled, HR, and given visual feedback of it, or were (2) correctly informed of the response but given no feedback, or were (3) incorrectly informed of the response and given feedback of HR, or were (4) not informed of the response and given feedback of HR. At a second session half of the misinformed and uninformed Ss were correctly informed. Trials on which Ss were to raise and to lower HR were both given.

Between group comparisons generally supported the proposition that correct knowledge of response facilitates learning to lower HR when given external feedback. Results on raising HR, although generally indicating the facilitative role of correct knowledge of response, were not as consistent as those for lowering.

Within group comparisons showed trends for correct knowledge of response to improve HR control. Further within group comparisons of raise HR and lower HR trials consistently showed that Ss who knew the correct response and received feedback of it, achieved control of HR, whereas those who were misinformed or who received no feedback did not achieve control.
Effects of an External Cue on Psychophysiological Reactions to a Noxious Event
Authors: Gaebelein Jacquelyn , Taylor Stuart P. , Borden Richard
Published: February 2007

Subjects (Ss) who viewed a clock for 6 min while awaiting receipt of an electric shock showed significant changes in HR and SC; these indices did not change significantly for Ss who could not observe the clock. Analyses of responses to the delivery of shock revealed that Ss in the No Clock group demonstrated greater increases in HR and SC than did Ss in the Clock group. Differences in HR within I min following shock were observed between the Clock and No Clock groups. It was suggested that rather than mediating fear arousal per se the external cue facilitated coping with the impending event.
Stimulus Site Effects on Skin Conductance Responses From the Volar Surfaces
Authors: Fuhrer Marcus J.
Published: February 2007

Pulse trains were applied separately to each forefinger and to each hallux of 23 Ss to assess stimulus site effects on the relative amplitudes of skin conductance responses recorded concurrently from each palm and from each plantar surface. A binaurally presented tone was used as a non‐lateralized stimulus. Analyses of the ratio of response amplitudes from contralateral recording sites indicated that for both the upper and lower extremities, responses from the volar surface of the stimulated extremity were augmented in amplitude. Responses from the volar surface of the extremity ipsilateral to the stimulus and recording sites involved the same extremity. Analyses of the ratio of response amplitudes from the palmar and plantar surfaces on the same side of the body indicated that the specific effects of stimulation did not cross the body midline. The results were interpreted as indicating a regionally differentiated sympathetic outflow to the volar sweat glands that reflects the locus of cutaneous stimulation.
The Use of Digital Techniques in Psychophysiological Research
Authors: Lader Malcolm , Law Leslie
Published: February 2007

PP‐T‐0014‐0‐I The development of digital techniques has enabled the psychophysiologist to extend the range and complexity of his experiments. The functioning of digital devices can be divided into four aspects, namely: 1) data acquisition, 2) data storage, 3) data analysis, and 4) data output. The principles underlying these techniques are outlined, the most fundamental step being the conversion of the analog signal to the digital value. Digital instruments in psychophysiology are reviewed including the data logger, the instrumentation‐coupler, the special purpose computer, and the general purpose laboratory computer. The authors' experience with laboratory computers is described and the great flexibility of these devices in psychophysiological research is stressed.
A Micropower, Multichannel Biotelemetry System
Authors: Humphries J. , Phoebus E. , Globus G.
Published: February 2007

In order to gather biodata in the home environment, we have developed a compact and inexpensive FM multichannel subcarrier system employing micropower integrated circuits of the unique lateral PNP design. The subcarrier system may be used with or without a wireless transmitter. One FM transmitter design that has been used is presented. Components for four channels are mounted on a glass epoxy circuit board. More channels may be added and the potential for hybrid film packaging was considered in the design. Standard IRIG 7.5% proportional subcarrier frequencies from 400 Hz (ch. 1) to 3000 Hz (ch. 8) may be used with the center frequency being determined by the value of a single component in the oscillator circuit. The overall simplicity, stability, fidelity, and low power requirements of this subcarrier system facilitate long term unattended recording.
An Inexpensive Additive Tricolor Mixer Capable of Continuous Variations in Hue and Saturation
Authors: Geddie James C.
Published: February 2007

A design is presented for the construction of an inexpensive tricolor mixer which is capable of continuous variation in hue and saturation. The degree of precision of measurement of the stimuli produced can be manipulated to meet the demands of the experimenter by selection of filters and mechanical components.
Recording Skin Resistance and Beat‐By‐Beat Heart Rate From the Same Pair of Dry Electrodes
Authors: Geddes L. A. , Bourland J. D. , Smalling R. W. , Steinberg R. B.
Published: February 2007

Changes in skin resistance and beat‐by‐beat heart rate, derived from the EKG, were obtained from the same pair of dry silver electrodes applied to the finger tips. The electronic criteria to be satisfied for application of this technique are discussed. The recording system was constructed using low‐cost, solid‐state circuitry. A typical record of changes in skin resistance and beat‐by‐beat heart rate is presented to demonstrate the performance characteristics of the equipment.
Cutaneous Vasomotor Responses to Cold Pressor Stimulation
Authors: Lovallo William , Zeiner Arthur R.
Published: February 2007

Two experiments are reported which tested the effect of cold pressor (CP) stimulation on cutaneous vasomotor activity. Both experiments confirm earlier findings that some Ss show decreased digital blood volume to CP (constrictors) while others show an increase (dilators). In Experiment I, it is demonstrated that the constrictor‐dilator responses cannot be attributed to differential response to instruction. A superimposed reaction time task is shown not to change ongoing response to CP. Experiment II investigates the effects of levels of tonic activity upon response to CP stimulation in males and females by two methods: experimental manipulation of tonic level by shock and independent measurement of tonic sympathetic activity by other physiological measures (pulse amplitude and skin conductance). Resting levels of pulse wave amplitude are significantly correlated with response to CP, the higher the amplitude, the greater the time to blood volume rebound. The results tentatively support the hypothesis that constrictors and dilators differ in sympathetic vasomotor tonus prior to cold pressor.
Speed of Movement in Relation to Period of the Electroencephalogram in Normal Children
Authors: Surwillo Walter W.
Published: February 2007

Movement Time (MT) and simple reaction time (RT) were investigated in relation to period of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in a group of 17 healthy boys aged 8.5–17.2 years. MT and RT were measured by means of a modified version of the dart‐throwing game in which S thrust his arm and forefinger forward, as quickly as possible, at a target located 28 cm away.

Statistically significant negative correlations between RT and age and between MT and age confirmed previous reports that younger children not only take more time to initiate a response than older children but also move more slowly. RT was positively correlated with EEG period but MT and EEG period were not related. MT and RT were unrelated when age of the Ss in the sample had been taken into account. Overall, findings suggested that while MT and RT in children appear to run similar developmental courses, the speed of initiation and speed of execution of a response are not determined by the same processes.
Variability of Sleep Measures in Normal Subjects
Authors: Clausen J. , Sersen E. A. , Lidsky A.
Published: February 2007

Variability of sleep measures during 4 nights was examined in 10 normal young adults. The variables analyzed included: Sleep Stage Percentages; Sleep Time; Latency, Duration, and Cycle Time of REM; No. of REM Periods; and No. of Eye Movements (EM). No indication of First Night Effect was found, except that EM showed significant increases across nights. Although group means corresponded to conventional norms, considerable inter‐ and intraindividual variability was apparent, with Stage 2 and REM yielding lowest Variability Coefficients. Between nights, consistent positive correlations were found for Awake, REM, REM Latency, and particularly for Stage 4 and EM. Consistency of the relationship between nights for the sleep stages was not generally improved by equating sleep time either within or between Ss. Few intercorrelations between variables were significant. Within nights the first REM Duration was the shortest and the first Non‐REM Duration the longest, while neither REM nor Non‐REM Cycle Time changed significantly. In 25% of the records, Stage 3 terminated before Stage 4. Variability was discussed in terms of procedural aspects, trait characteristics, and situational factors.
Body Movements in Sleep During 30‐Day Exposure to Tone Pulse
Authors: Muzet A. G. , Naitoh P. , Johnson L. C. , Townsend R. E.
Published: February 2007

Body movements during sleep stages 2 and REM were measured using an artifact method to determine the effects of a tone pulse given every 22 sec, 24 hrs a day, over a period of 30 consecutive days in 10 Navy recruits, aged 19 to 23. The tone pulse produced no significant increase in the number of body movements during stage 2, but it increased body movements in REM sleep to a significant but small (3 movement increase per night) extent. The percentages of body movements observed in the first 7 sec after the tone pulse in sleep stages 2 and REM were significantly higher than those observed during the epochs 8–14 and 15–21 sec, and those observed to the pseudostimulus. The tone pulse used in this study redistributed or regulated the appearance of the body movements to the proximity of the noise, but did not increase the total number of body movements which appeared to be under endogenous control.
Anxiety and Feedback as Factors in Operant Heart Rate Control
Authors: McFarland Richard A. , Coombs Richard
Published: February 2007

Thirty‐three Ss were chosen on the basis of their Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale scores. Eleven Ss were assigned to each of three groups, low anxiety (LA), medium anxiety (MA), and high anxiety (HA). The study was then carried out to determine the relationships between manifest anxiety, amount of feedback, and heart rate (HR) control. Each S attempted to synchronize his HR with a series of clicks so that each heartbeat (R wave) would occur within .2 sec after a click. Each S was tested alternately with non‐augmented biofeedback (NAF), and with visually augmented feedback (AF) during several test periods. Overall, Ss were found to be able to produce a significantly higher than chance percentage of heartbeats in the .2 sec interval in spite of the fact that HA Ss had a negative mean HR control score. MA Ss' mean score was significantly higher than that of the HA Ss. Different physiological characteristics were found to be significantly correlated with successful HR control depending upon which anxiety group S was in. No significant difference was found between NAF and AF conditions.
Interrelationships Between Human Classical Differential Electrodermal Conditioning, Orienting Reaction, Responsivity, and Awareness of Stimulus Contingencies
Authors: Furedy John J. , Schiffmann Karl
Published: February 2007

The main purpose of studying the interrelationships listed in the title was to examine the orienting‐reaction (OR) and cognitive (awareness) interpretations of differential electrodermal conditioning (DEC). The method was to perform correlational analyses on the data obtained from three DEC experiments (N = 32, 40, and 32, respectively) which together provided variations in such factors as the CS‐US interval, and the sensitivity of the awareness measure of subjective contingency (SC). Following Zeiner and Schell (1971), the OR and responsivity measures were obtained, respectively, from preliminary CS+ trials (tone and light) to‐be‐paired with the US and from US (shock) trials. The results clearly disconfirmed the cognitive interpretation, since SC was not correlated either with DEC or with OR in any of the experiments. The OR interpretation received some support, but could handle the following aspects of the results only with difficulty: (a) some significant correlations of responsivity with DEC; (b) the fact that the apparently large OR‐DEC correlations were reduced when statistical control (through partial correlations) was imposed for the influence of consistent individual differences in responding to the CS+ and CS‐ stimuli before any conditioning had taken place; (c) the fact that when these individual differences were not significantly present (in Exp. III), the OR‐DEC correlation was also not significant. It was noted that the first aspect supported an S‐R, contiguity‐reinforcement account of DEC, an account which differs from the cognitive and OR interpretations inasmuch as it does not attempt to reduce DEC to some other process.
Some Observations on the Reliability of REM Variables
Authors: Feinberg Irwin
Published: February 2007

Previous reports on inter‐night reliability of sleep stage percentages have not controlled for total sleep time (TST). With TST held constant with either of two methods, REM as well as NREM variables showed significant inter‐night correlation coefficients. Reliability across nights for rapid eye movement activity is reported here for the first time and found to be highly significant.
On Evaluating Autonomic and Verbal Indices of Negative Preception
Authors: Furedy John J. , Klajner Felix
Published: February 2007

Negative preception (NP) has been defined as the attenuation of a noxious stimulus by a signal which precedes it. Explanatory theories to account for the NP phenomenon are available, but the concern of this paper is with the methodological and empirical basis for the existence of the NP phenomenon itself. It is argued that autonomic indices based on shock‐elicited responding cannot provide unconfounded evidence for NP because of insurmountable methodological problems associated with response‐interference and perceptual‐disparity (or orienting‐reaction) effects. Furthermore, it is noted that when modified unconfounded autonomic indices have been used, the results failed to support the NP notion. A challenge to the validity of the verbal index of rated intensity is then considered, but it is argued that this verbal index is a valid measure of shock aversiveness. Since the rated‐intensity evidence is also generally against the NP notion, it is concluded that both autonomic and verbal indices, when properly evaluated, do not support the view that signaling attenuates shock aversiveness.
Experimenter and Subject Sex Effects In the Skin Conductance Response
Authors: Fisher Leslie E. , Kotses Harry
Published: February 2007

The present study was designed to determine the significance of the experimenter's sex on the subject's skin conductance responsiveness and to ascertain the nature and extent of sex differences in basal skin conductance, skin conductance response (SCR) magnitude, and spontaneous skin resistance (SRR) activity. The responses of 30 male and 30 female Ss were recorded by 3 male and 3 female experimental assistants. Following a brief adaptation period, all Ss received 20 5‐sec bursts of 75 dB white noise. Variable stimulus intervals were employed.

Male Ss serving in the female E condition evidenced significantly higher basal conductance levels and a more rapid decrease in basal conductance levels over trials. Skin resistance response magnitude data showed a significant Experimenter Sex X Trials interaction such that all Ss serving in the female E condition failed to habituate. An analysis of spontaneous SRR activity showed that Ss serving in the other‐sex E condition emitted more spontaneous responses. All Ss showed a significant decrease in spontaneous activity across trials.
A Comparison of the Statistical Distributions of Beat‐By‐Beat Heart Rate and Heart Period
Authors: Jennings J. Richard , Stringfellow Jeanne C. , Graham Mary
Published: February 2007

The statistical distributions of heart rate (HR) and heart period (HP) measures were compared for 10 adults. Kolmogorov‐Smirnov indices of fit and specific indices of skewness and kurtosis were applied to a 40‐min sample of baseline heart beats. Neither individual HR nor HP distributions were consistently normally distributed. Over the sample, HP distribution indices were not significantly different from normal although HR distribution indices were. The use of HP in measuring cardiac evoked responses is advocated.