The cognitive neuroscience lab uses a number of physiological tools to better understand cognitive processes. We explore the effects of music listening on creativity, and Dementia while recording electroencephalography (EEG).
Electroencephalography or EEG, measures the electrical activity of the brain by recording voltage based changes on the scalp. EEG can be used to understand underlying brain changes in cognitive processes including; attention, learning, memory, and physiological arousal. Event-related potential (ERPs) or changes in brain voltage in response to stimuli are used to measure these underlying changes.
Event-related potentials are extracted from continuous EEG data, which enables brain processes triggered by events (stimuli) to be characterized. Our lab analyzes the voltage distribution across all the electrodes to understand the brain topography after stimuli like music. Researchers have identified specific ERPs for the processing of faces (N170), words and meaning (N400), surprise (P300), and memory recall (P600).
For more information, please contact:
Professor Katherine Eskine
eskine_katherine@wheatoncollege.edu