Michael Trimmel,
Gerhard Poelzl, and Elisabeth Groll-Knapp (in press). BACKGROUND NOISE
MODULATES CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY OF VISUAL-SPATIAL ATTENTION.
Euronoise 2001.
In
this experiment, the influence of background noise was investigated on
event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and brain DC potentials from a spatial
attention task. Visual-spatial attention was cued trial-by-trial for 7
min lasting tasks in 2 blocks with and without background noise (a mixture
of irrelevant speech, street noise and yelping dogs of 60 dB(A) presented
by loudspeakers in front of the subjects). Task-related stimuli were presented
lateralized to a fixation point after the presentation on a cueing signal
(to guide visual-spatial attention). Ten subjects had to respond only to
infrequent relevant (attended) target stimuli. EEG was recorded from skin-punctured
locations at parietal and occipital locations with DC amplifiers referred
to linked mastoids and digitised by 250 Hz. ERPs of relevant non-target
stimuli were analysed, by reason of non-contamination with movement-related
brain activity and DC potentials for the whole time-on-task in each block.
Event-related potentials showed a P300-like positive slow wave (PSW)
at central and parietal locations which was reduced in the background noise
condition (only results of PSW and DC potentials from midline electrodes
will be reported here). During time-on-task the DC potential changes at
all midline electrodes became successive positive during the presentation
of noise. This was found in both blocks of the noise condition indicating
(1) a reliable recording of the DC potential and (2) a functional relationship
of background noise and a positive DC potential change. Taken into account
earlier findings on the impact of DC potential shift on ERPs, it is suggested
that the reduced amplitude of the P300-like positive slow wave may be caused
by the positive change of the resting DC potential according to a suggested
floor/ceiling effect of brain DC potentials on event-related potentials.
As noise effects were also found for behavioral response data, it seems
that the analysis of ERPs and brain DC potentials are a sensitive indication
of the impact of environmental background noise on central nervous activity
of a cognitive task.
Michael
Trimmel und Gabriele Gmeiner (2001). Partnerschaftliches Interaktionsverhalten
und Stressverarbeitung von Migränepatientinnen. Psychotherapie,
Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie, 51, 430-433.
Das
verhaltensmedizinische Modell legt nahe, dass eine nicht effiziente, negative
Kommunikation einen wesentlichen Belastungsfaktor im alltäglichen
Zusammenleben der Migränepaare darstellt und es dadurch zu einer Chronifizierung
des Migränegeschehens kommt. Die vorliegende Untersuchung prüfte
anhand des Kategoriensystems für partnerschaftliche Interaktion (KPI)
ob sich 12 Migränepatientinnen mit ihren männlichen Partnern
von 12 Kopfschmerzpaaren und 12 gesunden Kontrollpaaren in ihrem Gesprächsverhalten
in einer persönlich relevanten Konfliktsituation unterscheiden. Die
auf Video aufgezeichneten ca. 10-minütigen Gespräche zeigten
die erwarteten Unterschiede: Migränepaare hatten weniger positive
und mehr negative Kommunikation als die anderen beiden Untersuchungsgruppen.
Eine gesteigerte Belastung der Migränepatientinnen konnte auch durch
höhere Werte in der Stressverarbeitung aufgezeigt werden.
Trimmel, M,
Strässler, F., & Knerer, K. (2001). Brain DC potential changes
(DCPC) of computerized tasks and paper/pencil tasks. International Journal
of Psychophysiology, 40, 187-194.
Abstract: Analysis of slow
cortical potentials and their topography is currently discussed as an indication
of cortical activity associated with cognitive operations/performance.
In this paper changes of the EEG DC potential were analyzed in two computerized
tasks (correcting typing errors, performing Excel) and two paper/pencil
tasks (correcting typing errors, a cognitive test) to assess mental load
related to ergonomical and task characteristics. DC recordings were analyzed
for the mean values of baseline and the first and the second 4 minutes
of each task from 24 persons. A 2 (computer usage experience low vs. high)
X 4 (Task) X 3 (Time: baseline, first half of task, second half) X 6 (Lead)
MANOVA of DC potential changes (DCPCs) showed at F3, F4 and C3 positive
DCPCs for paper/pencil tasks and negative DCPCs for computerized tasks.
Ratings of task difficulty were related to high versus low task demands,
whereas DCPCs were related to task medium, time on task and lead. Highly
experienced persons showed a pronounced left-right difference at parietal
locations and at frontal and central locations related to task medium by
trend. Results were interpreted as higher cortical activation associated
with mental load caused by additional attentional/controlling demands of
computerized tasks. Keywords: Slow potentials, Slow cortical potentials
(SCP), Event-related potentials, DC potentials, Cognitive load, Attention,
Working environment, Computer, Ergonomics, Individual difference
Trimmel, M.,
& Köpke, E. (2000). Motivations to control drinking behavior in
abstainers, moderate and heavy drinkers. Pharmacology, Biochemistry
& Behavior, 66(1), 169-174).
Abstract: Motives and motivational
concepts to control quantity (Q) and frequency (F) of alcohol consumption
were investigated in 192 participants using a questionnaire of motives
to control drinking (MCD-Q/F) developed earlier. The daily quantity of
consumption was assessed by the "30 day by beverage questionnaire". Participants
were grouped into heavy or moderate drinkers (limits: females 40, males
60 gram alcohol/day) and abstainers. Analyses of motives showed the importance
of car driving, controlling appetite/desire and prevention of impaired
mental performance. The relative impact of motivational concepts were analysed
by cluster analysis of motives revealing three clusters: (1) emotional
concepts/fear of addiction, (2) physiological sensations/interaction with
concrete actual plans, (3) cognitive concepts (plans, self-control, no
impairment)/no desire. MANOVA of MCD-Q/F indicate highest scores for moderate
drinkers and significant lower scores in heavy drinkers in controlling
frequency of drinking (MCD-F). Group effect for emotional concepts failed
significance, higher scores of physiological concepts were found in imbibers
compared to abstainers, and scores of cognitive concepts were lower in
heavy drinkers. Results indicate that for imbibers a reduced motivation
to control frequency of drinking as well as low scores in cognitive concepts
and a trend to high scores in emotional concepts are associated with heavy
drinking.
Handler, B., & Trimmel, M. (1998). Zusammenhänge zwischen der Beurteilung von Nazi- und (primitiven) Sportspielen am Computer und sozialer Einstellung bei männlichen Jugendlichen. In J. Glück, O. Vitouch, M. Jirasko, & B. Rollett (Eds.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich Band 2 (pp. 81-84). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Kusmitsch, C., & Trimmel, M. (1998). Relationship of brain DC potential changes and scaled qualities of listening to short probes of music [Abstract]. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 30(1-2), 111-112.
Kusmitsch, C., & Trimmel, M. (1998). Hintergrundgeräusche und kortikale Informationsverarbeitung unter Berücksichtigung der Lärmempfindlichkeit. In J. Glück, O. Vitouch, M. Jiraschko, & B. Rollet (Eds.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich Band 2 (pp. 145-148). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Trimmel, M., Kunkel, V., Strässler, F., & Knerer, K. (1998). Brain DC potentials of a cognitive task and relationship to performance [Abstract]. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 30(1-2), 264-264.
Trimmel,
M., & Schweiger, E. (1998). Effects of an ELF (50 Hz, 1 mT) electromagnetic
field (EMF) on concentration in visual attention, perception and memory
including effects of EMF sensitivity. Toxicology Letters, 96/97,
377-382.
Abstract: To investigate psychological
effects of an extremely low frequency (ELF)-electromagnetic field (EMF),
an experiment with three conditions was designed. EMF field of 50 Hz and
1 mT accompanied by 45 dB SPL noise (EMF + noise), noise, and control.
A group of 66 subjects (Ss) participated in the control and in one of the
experimental conditions. The sequence of conditions (expositions) was balanced.
Expositions were double-blind (except for the obvious control), lasted
1 h and were separated by a 1 h pause. During exposition Ss (three by three)
performed tests on attention, perception, memory and filled out a psychological
questionnaire. Statistical analysis (one-tailed probability) showed less
attention (P < 0.05), perception (P < 0.05) and memory performance
(P < 0.1) in Ss exposed to EMF + noise compared with control, whereas
for noise versus control no difference was found. Comparing EMF + noise
versus noise related to control, reduced perception, less memory performance
and more discomfort was observed (P < 0.1). Dividing Ss according to
their self-rated sensitivity to EMF, all differences disappeared in the
low sensitivity group (N = 30) and were pronounced in sensitive Ss (N =
36). Results indicate an immediate reduction of cognitive performance in
attention, perception and memory performance by a 50 Hz EMF of 1 mT. These
effects seem to be modulated by the self-perception of sensitivity to EMF.
Trimmel, M., Strakonitzky, G., Handler, B., & Rastbichler, U. (1998). Computerspiel- und Fernsehzeiten in Abhänigkeit von Extzraversion/Neurotizismus. In J. Glück, O. Vitouch, M. Jirasko, & B. Rollett (Eds.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich Band 2 (pp. 167-170). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Trimmel, M., & Binder, G. A. (1998). Emotion & Kognition: Kortikale Informationsverarbeitung in Abhänigkeit von der Stimmung. In J. Glück, O. Vitouch, M. Jirasko, & B. Rollett (Eds.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich Band 2 (pp. 149-152). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Trimmel,
M., & Huber, R. (1998). After-effects of human-computer interaction
indicated by P300 of the event-related brain potential. Ergonomics,
41(5), 649-655.
Abstract: After-effects of
human-computer interaction (HCI) were investigated by using the P300 component
of the event-related brain potential (ERP). Forty-nine subjects (naive
non-users, beginners, experienced users, programmers) completed three paper/pencil
tasks (text editing, solving intelligence test items, filling out a questionnaire
on sensation seeking) and three HCI tasks (text editing, executing a tutor
program or programming, playing Tetris). The sequence of 7-min tasks was
randomized between subjects and balanced between groups. After each experimental
condition ERPs were recorded during an acoustic discrimination task at
F3, F4, Cz, P3 and P4. Data indicate that: (1) mental after-effects of
HCI can be detected by P300 of the ERP; (2) HCI showed in general a reduced
amplitude; (3) P300 amplitude varied also with type of task, mainly at
F4 where it was smaller after cognitive tasks (intelligence test/programming)
and larger after emotion-based tasks (sensation seeking/Tetris); (4) cognitive
tasks showed shorter latencies; (5) latencies were widely location-independent
(within the range of 356-358 ms at F3, F4, P3 and P4) after executing the
tutor program or programming; and (6) all observed after-effects were independent
of the user's experience in operating computers and may therefore reflect
short-term after-effects only and no structural changes of information
processing caused by HCI.
Trimmel, M., & Binder, G. A. (1998). Effects of film-induced emotions on N100 and P300 of a visually presented subsequent cognitive task [Abstract]. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 30(1-2), 108-109.
Trimmel, M. (1996). Bedingungen des Computerspiels und psychologische Auswirkumgen bei Jugendlichen. Informatik Forum, 10(4), 215-234.
Kohlbacher-Hess, M., & Trimmel, M. (1996). Transfereffekte beim Lernen von Computerprogrammen. In M. Jirasko (Ed.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich (pp. 221-224). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Schwager, U., & Trimmel, M. (1996). "Flusserleben" als intrinsischer Motivationsfaktor beim Computerspielen? In M. Jirasko (Ed.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich (pp. 81-84). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Trimmel,
M., Kundi, M., Binder, G., Groll-Knapp, E., & Haider, M. (1996). Combined
effects of mental load and background noise on CNS activity indicated by
brain DC potentials. Environment International, 22, 83-92.
Abstract:
To
assess combined effects of noise and mental load on brain activity, DC
potential shifts were evaluated. In a 3 x 2 x 3 x 5 repeated ANOVA design
with Type of Noise (music sound, white noise, street noise) x Noise Intensity
(no noise, 55dB[A], 75 dB[A]) x Mental Load (load vs. no load) x DC Recording
Location (F3, F4, Cz, P3, P4 versus linked mastoids) 2-min epochs of exposure
were analyzed in 18 subjects. Significant main effects were found for Type
of Noise (white noise and street noise showing greater positive shifts
than music sound), Mental Load (more positive shifts for mental load versus
no mental load), and DC Recording Location. Statistically significant higher
order interaction effects were also found. Low intensity of music sound
diminished the mental-load DC
shift, interpreted as a possible
compensatory effect of soft music on mental load. The effect of mental
load under street noise and white noise conditions depends on the DC potential
caused by these background noises alone, showing a ceiling effect. Results
indicate that DC shifts apparent during mental load are changed by acoustic
stimulation additionally applied and that this effect is dependent on type
of noise/sound and stimulus intensity.
Trimmel, M., Groll-Knapp, E., & Haider, M. (1996). P3 influenced by event-prededing dc shifts - brain information processing related to the actual functional state. In C. Ogura, Y. Koga, & M. Shimokochi (Eds.), Recent advances in event-related brain potential research (pp. 157-162). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Trimmel, M.
(1996). Neuropsychophysiologische Wirkung von Hintergrundlärm. In
M. Jirasko (Ed.), Perspektiven psychologischer Forschung in Österreich
(pp. 239-242). Wien: WUV-Universitätsverlag.
Trimmel's list of electronically available abstracts/full text papers Trimmel's English homepage Trimmels (German) Homepage