Eeg alpha, skin conductance and hypnotizability in antarctica

Abstract

On the basis of alternative hypotheses in the literature, 9 invited Ss undergoing wintering-over isolation at Scott Base, Antarctica, were tested for EEG alpha and hypnotizability. 8-channels of EEG, bipolar skin conductance (SC) and hypnotizability data were collected at Scott Base prior to and following the wintering-over isolation. Significant increases in alpha density and hypnotizability were found in Ss following isolation. The previously reported relationship between simple eyes closed alpha density and hypnotizability was not found prior to isolation; however, this correlation approached significance following isolation. The possible influence of psychophysiological arousability on baseline EEG alpha records was considered. Correction of EEG records using SC indices of arousal resulted in a significant correlation between EEG alpha and hypnotizability following isolation. A tendency toward significance was evident in the pre-isolation, SC corrected, correlation. The significant influence of environment on EEG alpha and hypnotizability is discussed as is the use of SC arousal indices to enhance EEC alpha/hypnotizability correlations.