Premium
Evoked Potential and Behavioral Signs of Attentive Dysfunctions in Hyperactive Boys
Author(s) -
Loiselle David L.,
Stamm John S.,
Maitinsky Steven,
Whipple Stephen C.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1980.tb00134.x
Subject(s) - dichotic listening , vigilance (psychology) , psychology , audiology , stimulus (psychology) , active listening , selective attention , developmental psychology , neuroscience , cognition , communication , cognitive psychology , medicine
ABSTRACT Subjects were 12 boys (12–14 yrs old) who had previously been diagnosed for hyperactivity (clinical group) and 15 age‐matched normal controls. For the selective attention (SA) task vertex ERPs were recorded to dichotically presented tone pips, with differing frequencies to each ear. Each series contained randomly interspersed signals and subjects were instructed to count the signals to one ear (targets). Behavioral tasks consisted of responses to SA targets, a 10‐min vigilance series, and dichotic listening. No significant group differences were found to non‐attended channels for N and P amplitudes and latencies. N amplitude enhancements to the attended channels were significant for the controls (44%), but not for the clinical boys (14%). Also, P latencies and amplitudes to the target pips were significantly greater for the control than the clinical group. Behavioral responses showed significant deficits by the clinical boys for SA and vigilance, but not for dichotic listening. Correct behavioral SA responses correlated significantly with P target amplitudes, but not with N amplitude enhancements. These findings indicate severe dysfunctions by the clinical boys for selective attention, involving both stimulus and response sets.