Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differences in Resting EEG Related to Ability

  • Published:
Brain Topography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between different EEG measures (mean power, mean frequency, approximated entropy and coherence), and ability (creativity and intelligence). For that purpose the EEG of 115 student-teachers (Intelligence: \(\underline {\text{M}} = 115.17;\underline {{\text{SD}}} = 12.78;{\text{IQ}}_{{\text{min}}} = 82;{\text{IQ}}_{{\text{max}}} = 136;\) Creativity - standardized scores: \(\underline {\text{M}} = 55.97;\underline {{\text{SD}}} = 10.67;{\text{C}}_{{\text{min}}} = 38;{\text{C}}_{{\text{max}}} = 84)\) was recorded while they were resting with eyes open and closed. The study showed only weak correlations between measures based on the level of activity in different areas (mean power, mean frequency and approximated entropy) and creativity. The correlations with IQ scores were even less pronounced. On the other hand, coherence measures showed a much more intense relationship both with creativity as well as with intelligence. In the eyes-open state these differences were mainly distributed over the right hemisphere. The results are discussed in the light of different theories relating brain functioning and ability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anokhin, A.P., Birbaumer, N., Lutzenberger, W., Nikolaev, A., and Vogel, F. Age increases brain complexity. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1996, 99: 63-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anokhin, A.P., Lutzenberger, W. and Birbaumer, N. Spatiotemporal organization of brain dynamics and intelligence: an EEG study in adolescents. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 1999, 33: 259-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benbow, C.P. Physiological correlates of extreme intellectual precocity. Neuropsychologia, 1986, 24: 719-725.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benbow, C.P. Sex differences in mathematical reasoning ability in intellectually talented preadolescents, their nature, effects, and possible causes. Behaviour and Brain Science, 1988, 11: 169-232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blom, J. L. and Anneveldt, M. An electrode cap tested. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neuropsychology, 1982, 54: 591-594.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogen, J. and Bogen, G. The other side of the brain: III. The corpus callosum and creativity. Bulletin of the Los Angeles Neurological Society, 1969, 34: 191-220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braitenberg, V. and Schutz, A. Anatomy of the Cortex. Statistics and geometry. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T.H. Reassessment of neural connectivity and its specification. In: H.M. Pinsker and W.D. Willis (Eds.), Information Processing in the Nervous System, New York: Raven Press, 1980: 119-220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geshwind, M.A. and Behan, P. Left-handedness: Association with immune disease, migraine and developmental learning disorder. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 1982, 79: 5097-5100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geshwind, N.A. and Galaburda, A.M. Cerebral lateralization. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giannitrapani, D. EEG differences between resting and mental multiplication. Perceptual and motor skills, 1966, 22: 399-405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giannitrapani, D. The electrophysiology of intellectual functions. Basel: Karger AG. 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gowan, J.C. The production of creativity through right hemisphere imagery. Journal of Creative Behavior, 1979, 13: 39-51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haier, R.J., Neuchterlein, K.H., Hazlett, E., Wu, J.C. Paek, J., Browning, H.L. and Buchsbaum, M.S. Cortical glucose metabolic rate correlates of abstract reasoning and attention studied with positron emission tomography. Intelligence, 1988, 12: 199-217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haier, R.J., Siegel, B., Tang, C., Abel, L. and Buchsbaum, M.S. Intelligence and changes in regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate following learning. Intelligence, 1992, 16: 415-426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haier, R.J. and Benbow, C.P. Sex differences and lateralization in temporal lobe glucose metabolism during mathematical reasoning. Developmental Neuropsychology, 1995, 4: 405-414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jasper, H.H. The ten-twenty electrode system of the International Federation for Electroencephalography: Appendix to the report of the committee on methods of clinical examination in electroencephalography. The Journal of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neuropsychology, 1958, 10: 371-375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jausovec, N. Differences in EEG alpha activity related to giftedness. Intelligence, 1996, 3: 159-173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jausovec, N. Differences in EEG alpha activity between gifted and non-identified individuals: Insights into problem solving. Gifted Child Quarterly, 1997, 1: 26-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jausovec, N. Are gifted individuals less chaotic thinkers? Personality and Individual Differences, 1998, 25: 253-267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S. Malerinnen 3-Visuelles Wahrnemen und bildliches Vorstellen, zwei Aspekte einer komplexen Begabung. Eine Amplituden 3-und Koharenz-Studie. Disertation, Universitat Wien, 1995.

  • Klimesch, W., Schimke, H. and Pfurtscheller, G. Alpha frequency, cognitive load and memory performance. Brain Topography, 1993, 5: 1-11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klimesch, W., Doppelmayr, M., Schimke, H. and Ripper, B. Theta synchronization and alpha desynchronization in a memory task. Psychophysiology, 1997a, 34: 169-176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klimesch, W., Doppelmayr, M., Pachinger, Th. and Ripper, B. Brain oscillations and human memory: EEG correlates in the upper alpha and theta band. Neuroscience Letters, 1997b, 238: 9-12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, W. Zur Messung geistiger Leistungen: Eine alte Idee und ein neuer Ansatz. Zeitschrift fur experimentele und angewandte Psychologie, 1992, 1: 114-128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutzenberger, W., Birbaumer, N., Flor, H., Rockstroh, B. and Elbert, T. Dimensional analysis of the human EEG and intelligence. Neuroscience Letters, 1992a, 143: 10-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutzenberger, W., Elbert, T., Birbaumer, N. and Ray, W.J. The scalp distribution of the fractal dimension of the EEG and its variation with mental tasks. Brain Topography, 1992b, 5: 27-34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marosi, E., Harmony, T., Becker, J., Reyes, A., Bernal, J., Fernandez, T., Rodriguez, M., Silva, J. and Guerrero, V. Electroencephalographic coherences discriminate between children with different pedagogical evaluation. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 1994, 19: 23-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martindale, C. Biological bases of creativity. In: R.J. Sternberg (Ed.), Handbook of Creativity, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1999: 137-152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J.T. Hemisphericity research: An overview with some implications for problem solving. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 1982, 3: 197-211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubauer, V., Freudenthaler, H.H. and Pfurtscheller, G. Intelligence and spatiotemporal patterns of event-related desynchronization. Intelligence, 1995, 3: 249-266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, P.L. Quantitative states of neocortex. In: P.L. Nunez (Ed.), Neocortical Dynamics and Human EEG Rhythms. NY: Oxford University Press, 1995: 3-67.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Boyle, M.W., Alexander, J.E. and Benbow, C.P. Enhanced right hemisphere activation in the mathematically precocious: A preliminary EEG investigation. Brain and Cognition, 1991, 17: 138-153.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Boyle, M.W., Benbow, C.P. and Alexander, J.E. Sex differences, hemispheric laterality, and associated brain activity in the intellectually gifted. Developmental Neuropsychology, 1995, 4: 415-443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olin, C.H. Phrenology. Philadelphia: Penn Publishing Co., 1910.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petsche, H. Approaches to verbal, visual and musical creativity by EEG coherence analysis. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 1996, 24: 145-159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petsche, H. EEG coherence and mental Activity. In: F. Angeleri, S. Butler, S. Giaquinto and J. Majakowski (Eds.), Analysis of the electrical activity of the brain. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 1997: 141-168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pincus, S. Approximate entropy (ApEn) as a complexity measure. Chaos, 1994, 5: 110-117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pincus, M.S. Quantifying complexity and regularity of neurobiological systems. Methods in Neurosciences, 1995, 28: 336-363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, D.L. The neurophysiological bases of high IQ. International Journal of Neuroscience, 1989, 46: 209-234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, D.L. A test of the Hendrickson postulate that reduced EEG response variance causes increased AEP contour length: Implications for the "neural transmission errors" theory of intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 1997, 22: 173-182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Semlitsch, H.V., Anderer, P., Schuster, P. and Presslich, O. A solution for reliable and valid reduction of ocular artifacts applied to the P300 ERP. Psychophysiology, 1986, 23: 695-703.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaywitz, B.A., Shaywitz, S.E., Pugh, K.R., Constable, R.T., Skudlarski, P., Fulbright, R.K., Brronen, R.A., Fletcher, J.M., Shankweiler, D.P., Katz, L. and Gore, J.C. Sex differences in the functional organization of the brain for language. Nature, 1995, 373: 607-609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, A. and Petsche, H. EEG synchronization seems to reflect functional properties of the underlying cortical networks in the human brain. European Journal of Neuroscience, 1995, 8: 32-37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, R.W. and Walker, R.A. EEG coherence and intelligence in children. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1985, 61: S161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torrance, E.P. Torrance tests of creative thinking. Bensenville, IL: Scholastic testing service, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torrance, E.P. Hemisphericity and creative functioning. Journal of Research and Development in Education, 1982, 3: 29-37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traub, R.D., Whittington, M.A., Buhl, E.H., Jefferys, J.G.R. and Faulkner, H.J. On the mechanisms of the frequency shift in neuronal oscillations induced in rat hippocampal slices by tetanic stimulation. The Journal of Neuroscience, 1999, 19: 1088-1105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, M., Lacroix, D., Chaput, Y., Fraile, V., Lamer, R. and Albert, J.M. Brain activations with a maze test: an EEG coherence analysis study in healthy subjects. NeuroReport, 1994, 5: 2449-2453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varghese, L., Nampoori, V.P.N. and Pratap, R. Nonlinear analysis of an electroencephalogram (EEG) during epileptic seizure. Current Science, 1987, 20: 1039-1041.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittington, M.A., Traub, R.D, Faulkner, H.J., Stanford, I.M. and Jefferys, J.G.R. Recurent excitatory postsynaptic potentials by synchronized fast cortical oscillations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 1997, 94: 12198-12203.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pedagoška fakulteta Maribor, Slovenia

    Norbert Jaušovec & Ksenija Jaušovec

Authors
  1. Norbert Jaušovec
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ksenija Jaušovec
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jaušovec, N., Jaušovec, K. Differences in Resting EEG Related to Ability. Brain Topogr 12, 229–240 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023446024923

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023446024923

Search

Navigation