The Biofeedback Odyssey: From Neal Miller to Current and Future Models of Regulation

Neal Miller’s research on animals and humans launched the field of self-regulation, enabling individuals to take a more active role in their health and well-being. However, his inquiry into whether autonomic operant conditioning occurs remains open to debate. This article contends that present-day biofeedback therapists continue to be confronted by this dilemma. In addition, the authors suggest other models of biofeedback in which the role of the practitioner has been expanded and to which a large repertoire of self-regulation techniques have been added. They propose that, in the future, the regulatory capacity of interpersonal interactions is recognized as in the proffered model of biofeedback, dyadic biofeedback (DBF). DBF allows for real-time training of interpersonal interactions, emphasizing learning through direct observation and active involvement, thus making a return to Miller’s model.