Relationship between MMPI variables and percentage and amplitude of EEG alpha activity.

Abstract

Controversy exists between those who have reported a relationship between incidence and amplitude of EEG alpha and personality traits or variables and those who have failed to confirm these findings. Therefore, we decided to assess the relation of EEG alpha to a wide variety of personality variables as measured by the MMPI. If alpha measures correlated significantly with several of the personality scales, it would then be possible to subject the entire intercorrelation matrix to factor analysis to elucidate the major dimensions of personality with which alpha might be associated.MMPI and EEG scores were obtained in 72 of the 79 male members of a first-year medicalschool class. An EEG was performed on all students utilizing 6 channels of an 8-channel Offnertype T EEG. Automatic counting of alpha incidence was carried out by a frequency incidence analyzer 3 operated in conjunction with an Offnertype T preamplifier, a Hewlett-Packard Model 2S1 A/Industrial Electronics Counter and digital Write Out, and a Richards Timer Model 200.

Consciousness and Self-Regulation

“…During physiological and subjective arousal, as in anxiety-tension, alpha density seemed reduced and approached minimal· levels during periods of extreme excitement or panic. These assertions, based on laboratory-manipulated changes in arousal, appeared to receive further support from clinical research (Cohn, 1946;Costa, Cox, and Katzman, 1965;Jasper, 1936;Lemere, 1936;Ulett and GIeser, 1952;Ulett, GIeser, Winokur, and Lawler, 1953) on neurotic and schizophrenic patients with constant high arousal. Therefore, we began our exploration of the relationship of alpha density to levels of arousal with the assumption that the hypothesized relationships were essentially confirmed.…”