Abstract
Electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis allows measurement of electrical activity in bundles of neurons around electrodes placed at various locations on the scalp. In this essay, we provide an overview of the biological basis of EEG methodology and outline basic principles and practices of data collection. We conducted a study using EEG to test expectations from two competing cognitive theories of communication—computational theory and dynamic memory theory. Participants (N = 30) were assigned to one of two conditions—routine talk and direction-giving. EEG was used to measure the electrical activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), an area of the brain that is associated with message production. Results indicated that DLPFC activity was far more suggestive of dynamic memory theory. Specifically, electrical activity in the DLPFC was significantly lower during routine talk than during direction-giving. We discuss the implications of our findings and the limitations of EEG methods in communication research.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 101-116 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Communication Methods and Measures |
| Volume | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2 2015 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication
Cite this
Electroencephalographic Analysis in Communication Science : Testing Two Competing Models of Message Production. / Beatty, Michael; Heisel, Alan D.; Pascual-Ferrá, Paola; Berger, Charles R.
In: Communication Methods and Measures, Vol. 9, 02.01.2015, p. 101-116.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Electroencephalographic Analysis in Communication Science
T2 - Testing Two Competing Models of Message Production
AU - Beatty, Michael
AU - Heisel, Alan D.
AU - Pascual-Ferrá, Paola
AU - Berger, Charles R.
PY - 2015/1/2
Y1 - 2015/1/2
N2 - Electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis allows measurement of electrical activity in bundles of neurons around electrodes placed at various locations on the scalp. In this essay, we provide an overview of the biological basis of EEG methodology and outline basic principles and practices of data collection. We conducted a study using EEG to test expectations from two competing cognitive theories of communication—computational theory and dynamic memory theory. Participants (N = 30) were assigned to one of two conditions—routine talk and direction-giving. EEG was used to measure the electrical activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), an area of the brain that is associated with message production. Results indicated that DLPFC activity was far more suggestive of dynamic memory theory. Specifically, electrical activity in the DLPFC was significantly lower during routine talk than during direction-giving. We discuss the implications of our findings and the limitations of EEG methods in communication research.
AB - Electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis allows measurement of electrical activity in bundles of neurons around electrodes placed at various locations on the scalp. In this essay, we provide an overview of the biological basis of EEG methodology and outline basic principles and practices of data collection. We conducted a study using EEG to test expectations from two competing cognitive theories of communication—computational theory and dynamic memory theory. Participants (N = 30) were assigned to one of two conditions—routine talk and direction-giving. EEG was used to measure the electrical activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), an area of the brain that is associated with message production. Results indicated that DLPFC activity was far more suggestive of dynamic memory theory. Specifically, electrical activity in the DLPFC was significantly lower during routine talk than during direction-giving. We discuss the implications of our findings and the limitations of EEG methods in communication research.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84924958764&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/19312458.2014.999753
DO - 10.1080/19312458.2014.999753
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84924958764
VL - 9
SP - 101
EP - 116
JO - Communication Methods and Measures
JF - Communication Methods and Measures
SN - 1931-2458
ER -