ERP

Neurolinguistics Lab Space

ERP (event-related potential) experiments are conducted in the Neurolinguistics Lab at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). The lab space is located on the 7th floor of the Cheng Building on the NTNU main campus.

The lab space consists of two rooms. The outer room is our office (pictured below), where we write papers and carry out administrative tasks.

The inner room is the experiment room (pictured below). It is partially soundproofed to minimize distractions and disturbances during experiment sessions.

Subject Set-Up Equipment

The ERP recording equipment in the lab can be divided into 2 groups: subject set-up and data acquisition.

During subject set-up, the task is to fit the electro-cap onto the subject's head to measure their brainwaves. Equipment include (1) an electro-cap, (2) a tape measure, (3) alcohol pads, (4) abrasive gel, (5) cotton swabs, (6) syringes and needles, (7) conductive gel, (8) bandages and (9) medical tapes.

Electro-Cap (NeuroScan)

A 32-channel electro-cap is used to measure the brainwaves of the participant.

Tape Measure

Used to measure the head size of the participant and the distance between the participant and the computer screen.

Alcohol Pads

Used to clean the area around the ears and eyes of the participant.

Abrasive Gel

Used to remove dead skin around the ears and eyes of the participant to reduce the skin's electrical resistance.

Cotton Swabs

Used to apply abrasive gel.

Conductive Gel

Injected into the electrodes of the electro-cap to improve the conductivity of electrical activity.

Syringes

Used to inject conductive gel into the electrodes of the electro-cap.

Bandage

The use of the bandage is optional. It is used to push all the electrodes closer to the head when the electro-cap is too big for the participant.

Medical Tape

Used to make the electrodes on the electro-cap closer to the head. Due to various head size, some of the electrodes (usually those on the temporal region) may not sit closely on the head. Medical tapes can usually fix the problem.

Emily the Pig (Cushion)

The use of Emily the Pig is optional. She may be used to make the participant's seat more comfortable. She is also a good conversation piece.

Data Acquisition Equipment

During data acquisition, the task is to record signals collected by the electro-cap. The data acquisition equipment include (1) the amplifier, (2) acquisition and presentation PCs, (3) software keys and (4) the response box.

Amplifier (NeuroScan NuAmps)

The amplifier is used to amplify the brainwaves captured by the electro-cap.

Acquisition PC (left) and Presentation PC (right)

The experimenter monitors the online brainwaves of the participant via the acquisition PC (on the left of the picture) and the participant does the experiment in front of the presentation PC (on the right). The two processes (i.e. doing experiment and monitoring online brainwaves) take place simultaneously during the experiment.

Software Key (Acquisition)

Both the acquisition key (Neuroscan Acquire here) and the presentation key have to be inserted into the acquisition and presentation PCs to activate the computer programs.

Software Key (Presentation)

Both the acquisition key and the presentation key (E-prime here) have to be inserted into the acquisition and presentation PCs to activate the computer programs.

Response Box

The experimenter can collect participant’s behavioral responses via the response box.

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