Article

Covariation an consisentcy of activation parameters

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Fahrenberg, Jochen

Abstract / Description

Individual differences in activation processes, as well as the consistency and predictability of these differences, constitute a classical issue eliciting much theoretical discussion in this field and as such poses an essential question for any practical application of psychophysiological methods. A typical activation experiment assessing 125 male students on four self-report and 21 physiological measures under five conditions (rest, mental arithmetic, interview, anticipation and blood taking) was performed supplying an empirical basis for a multivariate analysis. A partition of covariance, factor analyses, item analyses and scale construction procedures as well as models engaging an increasing number of components were used to study the covariation and consistency of these activation parameters. Several biometric problems that are generally thought to complicate the evaluation of such data (i.e. non-linear relations, the problem of initial values, differing sensibility curves of physiological response systems, individual response specificities) are considered and tested empirically. Findings suggest that the use of a single variable or a composite measure as an 'indicator' of individual differences in state or reaction aspects of activation is inadequate, due to empirical inconsistency and the lack of predictability between functional subsystems. A multicomponent model or a set of marker variables, having empirically derived discriminative efficiency as well as reliability estimates, seem to be preferable.

Keyword(s)

Physiologische Psychologie Aktivierung Korrelat Messung Bewusstseinszustand Physiologische Aktivierung Psychophysiologie Physiologische Korrelate Messung Bewusstseinszustände Physiological Arousal Psychophysiology Physiological Correlates Measurement Consciousness States

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

1982

Publication status

unknown

Review status

unknown

Citation

  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Fahrenberg, Jochen
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2022-11-21T17:09:30Z
  • Made available on
    2013-08-06
  • Made available on
    2015-12-01T10:30:55Z
  • Made available on
    2022-11-21T17:09:30Z
  • Date of first publication
    1982
  • Abstract / Description
    Individual differences in activation processes, as well as the consistency and predictability of these differences, constitute a classical issue eliciting much theoretical discussion in this field and as such poses an essential question for any practical application of psychophysiological methods. A typical activation experiment assessing 125 male students on four self-report and 21 physiological measures under five conditions (rest, mental arithmetic, interview, anticipation and blood taking) was performed supplying an empirical basis for a multivariate analysis. A partition of covariance, factor analyses, item analyses and scale construction procedures as well as models engaging an increasing number of components were used to study the covariation and consistency of these activation parameters. Several biometric problems that are generally thought to complicate the evaluation of such data (i.e. non-linear relations, the problem of initial values, differing sensibility curves of physiological response systems, individual response specificities) are considered and tested empirically. Findings suggest that the use of a single variable or a composite measure as an 'indicator' of individual differences in state or reaction aspects of activation is inadequate, due to empirical inconsistency and the lack of predictability between functional subsystems. A multicomponent model or a set of marker variables, having empirically derived discriminative efficiency as well as reliability estimates, seem to be preferable.
    en
  • Publication status
    unknown
  • Review status
    unknown
  • ISSN
    1873-6246
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bsz:291-psydok-41695
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11780/682
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.10932
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Is part of
    Biological Psychology 15 (1982) 151-169.
  • Keyword(s)
    Physiologische Psychologie
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Aktivierung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Korrelat
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Messung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Bewusstseinszustand
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Physiologische Aktivierung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Psychophysiologie
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Physiologische Korrelate
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Messung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Bewusstseinszustände
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Physiological Arousal
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Psychophysiology
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Physiological Correlates
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Measurement
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Consciousness States
    en
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    Covariation an consisentcy of activation parameters
    de
  • DRO type
    article
  • Visible tag(s)
    PsyDok