Psychophysiology
Psychophysiology is the study of the relationship between physiological signals recorded from the body or brain and psychological processes such as emotion and attention responses. Here at the CAN lab, we use two kinds of psychophysiology technology to explore anxiety's role in learning: Electromyography (EMG) and Electrodermal Activity (EDA).
Electromyography (EMG)
EMG detects muscle activity in response to stimuli, even if there is no visible muscle movement. We can use this tool to study emotionality and affective science. In the past, we used EMG to study negative responses to problem-solving. For a more in-depth explanation of EMG, view the slides below.
Electrodermal Activity (EDA)
EDA measures changes in sweat production by passing a small current through two electrodes placed on the skin. An increase in skin conductivity suggests activation of the sympathetic nervous system. When paired with negative stimuli, we can gain empirical insight to anxious responses. For a more in-depth explanation of EDA, view the slides below.