Predictions of Performance by EEG and Skin Conductance

The present study analyzed the predictive power of lateralized cortico-electrical patterns (measured by EEG) and arousal (measured by Galvanic Skin Conductance) on performance during a visuo-spatial, motor-response task. The task was a videogame specifically designed to induce flow based on the criteria for flow state established by Csikszentmihalyi (1999). Specifically, alpha activity (8-12Hz) and delta activity (1-4Hz) in the temporal lobes, and skin conductance were examined as predictors of improved performance on the videogame. A regression analysis of the data found that greater left temporal alpha activity, compared to that of the right temporal lobe, was a positive predictor of performance. No significant results were found regarding delta activity, however skin conductance was found to positively correlate with performance. Surprisingly, theta activity (4-8Hz) and mid beta activity (16-20Hz) were also found to have a main effect on performance.