Abstract
THE preliminary investigation described in this communication was suggested by the observations that (a) older people respond to a stimulus more slowly (simple reaction time is longer than in young people)1–4, and (b) the dominant rhythm of the electroencephalogram, the ‘alpha’ rhythm, is slower in older people than in young5–7. These findings raised the question of whether ‘alpha’ frequency might be a factor responsible for differences in reaction time. The present experiment was designed to discover if simple reaction time is related to ‘alpha’ frequency of the electroencephalogram recorded during the time which elapses between a stimulus and a response.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Miles, W. R., Amer. J. Psychol., 43, 377 (1931).
Bellis, C. J., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol., N.Y., 30, 801 (1933).
Obrist, W. D., J. Psychol., 35, 259 (1953).
Birren, J. E., The Process of Aging in the Nervous System, edit. by Birren, J. E., et al. (Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1959).
Mundy-Castle, A. C., Hurst, L. A., Beerstecher, D. M., and Prinsloo, T., EEG Clin. Neurophysiol., 6, 245 (1954).
Obrist, W. D., EEG Clin. Neurophysiol., 6, 235 (1954).
Harvald, B., Acta Psychiat. Neurol. Scand., 33, 193 (1958).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SURWILLO, W. Frequency of the ‘Alpha’ Rhythm, Reaction Time and Age. Nature 191, 823–824 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/191823a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/191823a0
This article is cited by
-
Neurophysiological signatures of mild traumatic brain injury in the acute and subacute phase
Neurological Sciences (2024)
-
Windows on Time: Unlocking the Temporal Microstructure of Experience
Review of Philosophy and Psychology (2023)
-
Frontal Midline Theta Reflects Individual Task Performance in a Working Memory Task
Brain Topography (2015)
-
Some general outlines of the matrix of developmental changes between five and seven years
Bulletin of the Orton Society (1970)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.