Academic department under which the project should be listed

Psychology

Research Mentor Name

Dr. Tim Martin

Abstract (300 words maximum)

Waveform Analysis of the Stop Task

In the stop-signal paradigm, subjects click the mouse button when a particular stimulus is seen. However, an occasional stop signal is shown on the screen with increasing amounts of delay from the target stimulus creating a race between responding to the target stimuli/go signal and obeying the stop command. This task is a measure of inhibitory control, a key component of executive function. Executive function is positively related to a variety of outcomes including educational level and financial outcomes. EF is protective against various mental illnesses because greater inhibition allows a person to avoid rumination by shifting their attention to other things. With a sample of n = 25 Kennesaw State University undergraduate students a 64-channel electroencephalogram was used to find a waveform that peaks at about 500ms after the go signal was shown and followed by a stop signal. This demonstrates that greater activity is required to inhibit a response than to emit a response once it has started.

COinS
 

Waveform Analysis of the Stop Task

Waveform Analysis of the Stop Task

In the stop-signal paradigm, subjects click the mouse button when a particular stimulus is seen. However, an occasional stop signal is shown on the screen with increasing amounts of delay from the target stimulus creating a race between responding to the target stimuli/go signal and obeying the stop command. This task is a measure of inhibitory control, a key component of executive function. Executive function is positively related to a variety of outcomes including educational level and financial outcomes. EF is protective against various mental illnesses because greater inhibition allows a person to avoid rumination by shifting their attention to other things. With a sample of n = 25 Kennesaw State University undergraduate students a 64-channel electroencephalogram was used to find a waveform that peaks at about 500ms after the go signal was shown and followed by a stop signal. This demonstrates that greater activity is required to inhibit a response than to emit a response once it has started.