Psychophysiology
From Free net encyclopedia
Current revision
Psychophysiology is the science of understanding the link between psychology and physiology.
For example, psychologists are interested in why we may fear spiders and physiologists may be interested in the input/output system of the amygdala. A psychophysiologist will attempt to link the two. He might, for example, try to explain arachnophobia in terms of impulses coming in and out of the amygdala.
Psychophysiology is different from physiological psychology in that psychophysiology looks at the way psychological activities produce physiological responses, while physiological psychology looks at the physiological mechanisms which lead to psychological activity.
For example, a psychophysiologist may look at how exposure to a stressful situation will produce a result in cardiovascular activity, whereas a physiological psychologist may look at how a cardiovascular event brings about a psychological response.
Commonly Used Measures
Many measures are part of modern psychophysiology including measures of brain activity ERP (Event Related Potentials), FMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), measures of Skin Conductance (Skin Conductance Response, Galvanic Skin Response), Heart rate measures (Beats per Minute, Heart Rate Variability HRV), muscle responses (Electro Myography).
Uses of Psychophysiology
Psychophysiological measures are often used to study emotion and attention responses in response to stimuli. Loud startle tones, emotionally charged pictures, videos, and tasks are presented and psychophysiological measures are used to examine responses.
References/Links
Cacioppo, J. T., Tassinary, L. G., & Berntson, G. G. (2000). Handbook of psychophysiology, 2nd edition. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Society For Psychophysiological Research (SPR) http://sprweb.org/
Journal--Psychophysiology http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0048-5772