A Determination of Neurological Differences Between Individuals as Related to their Psychological/Motivational Differences.
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine if neurological differences between individuals - as measured by brain wave characteristics - are related to their psychological/motivational profiles. The hypothesis was that voltage levels produced by brain wave activity would be significantly different between high and low scorers on specified pyschological/motivational variables. A psychological/motivational profile was obtained for each of 76 sophomore students at the Naval Academy from the results of 4 tests: (1) Cornell Word Form Test (CWF-2); (2) 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF); (3) Motivation Analysis Test (MAT); and (4) Athletic Motivation Inventory (AMI). Neurological data was obtained by an EEG measurement of each subject. A simple analysis of variance test was performed to determine significant differences (p .05) between mean voltage levels of high and low groups. Findings indicate that individuals with probably a 'better' personality adjustment had significantly lower voltage levels at frequencies above 20 hertz. Results have demonstrated the ability to quantify aspects of personality which heretofore were considered to exist only within the 'mind'. The physical dimension of personality can be considered as an integral part of the more elusive mental dimension. A major significance of the results lies in their application to counseling, therapy, and the medical field in general. The use of neurological data for identifying personality problems might possibly expedite diagnosis and provide a more accurate patient progress monitor. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA015961
Entities
People
- Wayne A. Woods
Organizations
- United States Naval Academy