Attention to Television: Alpha Power and Its Relationship to Image Motion and Emotional Content

• DOI: 10.1207/s1532785xmep0503_03
• Publication Date: 2004-01-14T15:39:26Z
• Authors: Robert F. Simons; Benjamin H. Detenber; Bruce N. Cuthbert; David D. Schwartz; Jason E. Reiss
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Emotional valence; Alpha wave; Alpha (finance)

Abstract A laboratory experiment investigated the impact of image motion and emotional content in brief television clips on attention. Using an electroencephalogram (EEG) as a measure attention, cortical activity 25 participants was measured while they viewed either still or moving emotion-provoking images. Spectral analysis EEG done to gauge changes alpha-wave (8-13 Hz) power because reductions alpha are thought indicate greater The revealed that subjective reports arousal were directly related activation (i.e., reduced power), this particularly true at parietal recording site. relationship between ratings valence curvilinear; associated with both positive negative images relative neutral Alpha also during viewing compared images, effect occurred independent stimulus valence. association than is consistent previous research using autonomic measures suggests modulates responding-and sustains attention-primarily through increasing "gain" dimension.