What is Psychophysiology?

Psychophysiology is a discipline that examines connections between psychological and physiological processes. The premise of the idea is that for specific psychological processes there are corresponding changes occurring in the body. The research focuses on the interdependence between emotions, behavioural changes or changes in awareness and functioning of the brain and organ systems – circular, endocrine, respiratory and muscular.  

The psychophysiological and physiological signals, so-called biosignals include:

• ECG – electrocardiography
• EDA (GSR) – electrodermal activity
• EEG – electroencephalography
• ECoG – electrocorticography
• EGG – electrogastrography
• EMG – electromyography
• EOG – electrooculography
• PPG – photoplethysmography
• RSP – respirometry
• Dynamometry
• Goniometry

The biosignals are measured using amplifiers and stimulators (simulating devices) designed for a given organ system. The gathered data is used for analysis and research in various fields, such as physiology, pharmacology, biology, psychology, psychiatry as well as cognitive sciences, rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

For a long time, the psychophysiology focused on research limited to one modality. With the development of technology and increased availability of psychophysiological solutions, the science found new possibilities for growth. More available equipment became cheaper, so the laboratories started to specialize in research of a variety of biosignals. More and more advanced solutions made the integration of equipment more diverse (e.g. measurement of biosignals in the magnetic resonance environment), with the wireless option gaining increasing popularity.

The wireless connection to the subject allows for gathering signals in a more natural environment, granting more freedom and comfort for the examinee.

The combination of biosignals gives researchers a fuller image of what a patient might be experiencing in the experimental conditions. The paradigms which use more than one signal result in more complex research and research papers.

The solutions offered by psychophysiology are no longer used only by psychologists but gain more and more interest amongst psychiatrists, psychotherapists, physiotherapists, athletes, doctors, pharmacologists and marketers. The most common areas of biosignal research include: stress, body’s reaction to physical strain and medicaments.

For more detailed information about the current psychophysiological research, we recommend the articles in a renowned journal Psychophysiology.