What is the Pure-Applied Cycle in Psychophysiology?
an interconnected, iterative relationship between pure research (theoretical, exploratory) and applied research (practical problem-oriented)
What does pure research focus on?
- Investigating phenomena without immediate practical application
- developing theories
- relationships
- technique
- norms
what characterises applied research?
solving specific problems using existing knowledge with real-world value, focusing on how to apply findings
What is the Orienting Reflex (OR) according to Sokolov (1963)?
an Automatic reflect triggered by the brain detecting novel or significant stimuli, involving habituation, response recovery, and dishabituation
name the three determinants affecting the magnitude of the orienting reflex.
Novelty, Intensity and significance of the stimulus.
What is biofeedback therapy?
A technique providing individuals real-time information about physiological processes (e.g. HR, muscle tension) to learn self regulation.
How does biofeedback therapy typically work?
sensors monitor physiological data (e.g. HRV), display to the individual, who then uses feedback to learn to control physiological responses.
List some clinical conditions where biofeedback therapy is applied.
- Hypertension
- epilepsy
- stuttering
- problematic behaviours
- muscle re-education
- stroke
- chronic pain
- tension headache
- migraine
- anxiety
- depression
- addictions
- phobias
- PTSD
- insomnia
- eating disorders
Explain how EMG biofeedback helps with tension headaches
by providing feedback on muscle tension in forehead/scalp/neckline. Individuals learn to reduce sustained muscle contraction, decreasing headache frequency
what autonomic measures are used in law enforcement?
Employee screening, behavioural threat detection, autonomic modulation training (AMT), deception detection via physiological responses.
What is Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT)?
Training law enforcement personnel to control sympathetic and parasympathetic balance using HRV biofeedback to improve resilience and reduce stress
Describe the basic procedure of HRV biofeedback in AMT
HR sensors record ECG and HRV displayed in real time; individual practices resonant breathing to increase HRV reflecting parasympathetic activation; goal is self-regulation without feedback.
What physiological responses indicate deception during forensic lie detection?
Increased EDA, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, suppressed or altered respiration during relevant questions compared to control questions
What is the difference between Comparison Question Technique (CQT) and guilty Knowledge test (GKT)?
CQT compares responses to relevant and control questions to infer deception; GKT detects recognition of critical info known only to guilty suspects by measuring physiological responses.
What are biomarkers in clinical Psychophysiology?
Measurable objective indicators of biological state signalling normal or abnormal function, including diagnostic prognostic predictive and monitoring types.
Provide examples of ANS biomarkers for psychological conditions
- MDD: HRV
- ADHD: blunted SCR and reduced HRV
- PTSD elevated HR and SCR/Startle
-ASD : Lower RSA and HRV; - Schizophrenia : reduced SCR/OR
- Anxiety: reduced HRV and elevated SCR/Startle
What does electrical conductance measured in EDA reflect?
Sweat gland activity associated with sympathetic nervous system arousal
How are smartwatches used for biofeedback?
- Measure heart rate, HRV, respiration rate, electrodermal activity
- provide real-time visual, haptic and auditory feedback to guide relaxation and stress management
what are the benefits of biofeedback therapy?
- Provides objective feedback aiding self-regulation
- reinforces relaxation,
- can reduce symptoms in various disorders
- improve physiological control
What questions remain about biofeedback therapy effectiveness?
Effects of prior physiological awareness, choice of systems to train, transferability from lab to real life, impact of motivation/expectancy and reinforcement quality/quantity
