Psychological Studies in Nonionizing Electromagnetic Energy Research

Abstract

Research on nonionizing electromagnetic (NIEM) energy has focused on potential hazards, and to a lesser degree beneficial applications, of radiofrequency (RF) fields and extremely low frequency (ELF) fields. The history of research on the potential biological effects of NIEM contains many psychological investigations. These psychological investigations were conducted primarily in the discipline of biopsychology and included interdisciplinary cooperation with engineering, physical sciences, and other disciplines not routinely associated with psychology. The current recommended exposure level for RF is based on behavioral observations of laboratory animals. Psychology has been and continues to be in the midst of controversy regarding the ability of low-frequency, low-level electromagnetic energy or electric and magnetic fields to affect living organisms.