Alpha production in humans under conditions of false feedback

Abstract

Subjects were pretrained in either Jacobson’s relaxation or a control relaxation technique, then served in four daily sessions of biofeedback training. On some days, the feedback was veridical with respect to alpha production, while on other days, the feedback falsely indicated either success or failure at the control task. The results showed that alpha increased over trials, but this increase was independent of feedback contingency. Subjective reports of mood were not influenced by feedback falsely indicating success or failure at the control task, and there were no reliable relationships between mood and amount of alpha actually produced. Prior training on Jacobson’s relaxation did not enhance alpha production. It is concluded that alpha production and positive mood states are not systematically related and that neither of these variables is operantly conditioned through biofeedback. © 1978, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.