Relationship between Internal and External Locus of Control and the Operant Conditioning of Alpha through Biofeedback Training

Abstract

Subjects were identified as internally oriented ( N = 15) and as externally oriented ( N = 15) as determined by scores on the Locus of Control scale. They were given training to increase the density of occipital EEG waves in the alpha (8 to 13 Hz) frequency band through an auditory feedback loop keyed to the alpha, informing subjects when they were emitting the desired pattern. Both groups were successful in increasing the density of alpha waves; internally oriented subjects were, however, better able to enhance their alpha production (frequency) than were externally oriented subjects.