Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

Psychophysiology is concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes. For example, where psychologists are interested in why we like a certain TV program, physiologists are interested in the input–output of the cardiovascular system. A psychophysiologist attempts to link the two approaches. The study of the interface of mind and body is what makes psychophysiology most distinct. Physiological processes here designate physical and/or chemical reactions or accompanying symptoms of human behavior, such as (changes in) cardiovascular activity (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, peripherial blood volume), electrodermal activity (EDA, like skin conductance), neuroelectric activity (electroencephalography [EEG], such as alpha waves), muscle activity (electromyography [EMG]), body temperature, breathing, eye movements (electrooculography [EOG]), pupillary reflexes, reflexes (such as the blink of an eye), and many more similar processes. Psychological reactions designate aspects of human behavior that can be expressed in the language of psychology. Here, the focus is primarily on the description, explanation, and prognosis of →  information processing (cognitive aspect), experience (affective aspect), and behavior dispositions (conative aspect) of individuals (→  Cognition ; emotion ; Affects and Media Exposure ). The physiological reactions indicating reaching or leaving ... log in or subscribe to read full text