Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: The article presents a brief description of American studies from the ‘60s and the ‘70s in the field of neuroscience which led towards substantial changes in behavioral methods which enabled to modify permanently patterns of brain activity. Furthermore, cultural and historical background of these findings is discussed. First recordings of the brain’s spontaneous electrical activity in humans in the 1920’s made it possible to observe changes in brain’s activity, especially those that occur during learning processes. Based on learning theories that underlie changes in behavioral patterns: Pavlovian conditioning, and Thorndike’s operant conditioning, American researchers have shown that brain’s electrical activity may be considered as behavior and according to the principles of conditioning, it may be modified. Sterman’s further research on rocket fuel and sensorimotor rhythm in cats led to a spectacular achievement which was soon transformed into a complementary technique of reducing the number of epileptic seizures in humans. The new therapeutic method was named neurofeedback (or EEG biofeedback) and nowadays it can be applied in treating ADHD, ADD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, chronic pain but also in mind fitness trainings. There are some characteristics of the American mentality which could have contributed to the global distribution of neurofeedback. However, traditional origins of learning how to modify brain and body functions can be found in taoism, hinduism, sufism and christianity.
Authors: Anna Bazarnik, Katarzyna Gąsiorek
Institution: Jagiellonian University
Language: Polish
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2753668773