Event-Related Potential (ERP) Studies
These studies measure the brain's electrical activity in response to different types of events, for example, pictures, words and stories or sounds. By measuring the brain's response to such events we can learn how different types of information are processed.
These studies take place over one or two sessions of 1-4 hours and once the procedure is explained and the consent form is signed:
We will place a snug cap fitted with silver buttons (electrodes) on your head. We will apply a small amount of electrode gel to each button.
We will also place small silver buttons behind each ear, beside each eye, and beneath one eye, (on the cheek). We will clean the skin before each electrode is placed and after it is removed.
We will measure the electrical activity of your brain while you sit in a chair and pay attention to images such as pictures or printed words, or to sounds such as spoken words or beeps. Just like a stethoscope listens to our heart without changing our heart, the cap listens to our brain without changing our brain.
Brain waves will be recorded while paying attention to these visual and/or auditory stimuli. The brain waves will indicate how the brain operates when seeing and hearing different stimuli. Occasionally a button press response may be required when a specific stimulus is detected.
Participate in our experiment and take home a picture of yourself in one of our caps.
