Electroencephalographic Investigation of the Effect of Skill Level and Social Inhibition on Simulated Handgun Shooting

Abstract

We examined effects of Social Inhibition (SI), and Skill Level (SL) on simulated handgun shooting performance. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was also recorded in order to measure task-related changes in cortical activity. Participants consisted of Novice (NSL) and Experienced (ESL) shooters who were randomly assigned to shoot while in the presence of an audience (Hi SI) or alone (Low SI). The results revealed that NSL were less accurate than ESL in all conditions as was predicted. Shooting accuracy was predicted by alpha and beta amplitude, indicating different roles for attention and anxiety. Prefrontal alpha amplitude was significantly influenced by SL and SI, with a finding that ES showed RH deactivation while NS showed LH deactivation. Findings are discussed in terms of theories of motor control and SI.

Keywords:

• EEG
• motor performance
• psychomotor skill
• expertise
• aiming

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Department of Psychology at the University of South Alabama, and well as Mr. William Tremblay who designed the virtual handgun software.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

JST designed the study, analyzed the data, wrote the manuscript, and edited the manuscript. PRJ co-designed the study, collected the data, co-analyzed the data, wrote the draft manuscript. CD Edited drafts and formatted the manuscript and provided supplemental analyses. ELC edited the manuscript and contributed ideas to the research project.