Psychophysiology at St. Olaf College

Psychophysiology is a part of a much larger area of science, the emerging field of neuroscience. While the most basic definition of neuroscience is that it is the study of the nervous system, the actual techniques used come from all areas of science. Neuroscience incorporates aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, computer science, and philosophy. The necessary technology to view these phenomena is now pushing us into the digital age, creating digital neuroscience.

Louis Tassinary has pointed out that psychophysiology is an integrative science. Advances in neuroscience have made it apparent that the difference between it and more 'basic' sciences such as physiological psychology is one of analysis; that is, the disciplines are defined less by their reliance on a particular experimental protocol then they are by the substantive nature of their questions - their level of analysis. Psychophysiology provides a way to discover the reciprocal influences of social, cognitive, and affective variables on physiological variables. In somewhat poetic terms, Dr. Kenneth Hugdahl says that psychophysiology is a discipline which provides a "mind-body perspective" (1995).

Digital neuroscience is now becoming the standard in recording techniques. A machine that once took up the space of a bicycle is now transformed into something no larger then an introductory psychology text book. Students in our lab are exposed to aspects of neuroscience that, up until now, had been restricted to graduate students.

8 BIOPAC MP30s are paired with Gateway Computers to create fully digital workstations, enabling students to participate in structured labs or create their own research projects. Powerful software records the input from the MP30, creating a digital file that is easily stored. Both high school and college students soon become engaged by seeing their data displayed in real time on the computer. It is the mission of the St. Olaf Psychophysiology Laboratory to increase the knowledge of digital neuroscience in high school and college students of all levels. Students who become familiar with today's technology will become the next generation of leaders in all areas of science.