Student Dissertations & Theses
Date of Award
5-1981
Document Type
Research Project Report
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Education
First Advisor
J. Greenspan, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Robert Rothstein, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
James M. Olson, Ph.D.
Abstract
Twenty-four subjects from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin volunteered to participate in an experiment designed to determine if patterning of EMG responses occur when recorded from the Frontalis, or the Flexors of the preferred arm on a paired-associate verbal conditioning task. Six groups of four subjects each were provided either positive, negative reinforcement, or no reinforcement depending on their respective group. Groups one (PRF), and three (PRA) were positive reinforcement groups. Groups two (NRF), and four (NRA) were provided negative reinforcement. Groups five and six were control groups. Positive and negative reinforcement con sisted of subjects being provided the response syllables "right or "wrong", respectively. EMG activity was recorded when each stimulus was presented, and when each verbal response was made. The only significant differences made were between Frontalis EMG activity, and from the preferred arm. No significant patterns developed in relation to learning, the presentation of the stimulus, or the verbal response. Specific recommendations for further research were made. It was determined that more rigorous controls are needed and that the task employed for this experiment may not have been of sufficient difficulty or duration to cause an EMG pattern to develop.
Recommended Citation
Reid, Truman G., "Patterning of the Electromyographic Response on a Simple Verbal Conditioning Task" (1981). Student Dissertations & Theses. 56.
https://falconcommons.utpb.edu/utpb-cas/56