Download - An exploratory study of EEG brain wave patterns while solving puzzles

Brain WavesHow the brain works while completing puzzles

By Nathan Curtis, Davis Senior High School StudentDavis, CA

To explore the brain wave (EEG) correlation between different ways of solving a puzzle…

With Referenc

e

Without Referenc

e

…and the stage of the puzzle that they are on.

Finishing UpHalfway ThroughJust Beginning

GOAL:

?

Tested On Eight Subjects:

Once with a reference, once without

ATTENTION

RELAXATION

Just Beginnin

g

Just Beginnin

g

Halfway Through

Halfway Through

Finishing Up

Finishing Up

Just Beginnin

g

Halfway Through

Finishing Up

ALPHABETA

GAMMA

The Puzzle & Setup• Ceaco Kids Dinosaur Puzzle• 100 pieces• 11” by 14” end result

• Took too long for subject to complete entire puzzle

• Modified setup so that the borders werealready in place

• 64 Border Pieces; Subject must place 36

1.5” x 1.5”

• Neurosky Mindwave to measure EEG brain waves

• WujiBrainwave & WujiTech to record and graph the data

• Took 6 recordings of each subject:• First three were taken while the subject had

no idea what the puzzle depicted• 12 pieces per measurement: Pieces 65-

76 (Beginning), Pieces 77-88 (middle), Pieces 89-100 (end)

• Pieces 1-64 already in the border• Last test was taken once subject knew what

the image looked like. • They were allowed to use a complete image

as a reference the second time. • Ages range from 18-76

Results: Attention

With Reference(2nd Time)

Without Reference(1st Time)

Jim (Age 53) Mack (Age 17)

JUST BEGINNING: Pieces 65-76

Results: Attention

FINISHING UP: Pieces 89-100



Jackson (Age 17)Jim (Age 53)

Results: Attention



Laura (Age 48) Nathan (Age 17)


Results: Relaxation




Dan (Age 48) Jackson (Age 17)

Results: Relaxation

Halfway Through: Pieces 77-88



Laura (Age 48) Allan (Age 78)

Results: Relaxation

Finishing Up: Pieces 89-100



Dan (Age 48) Allan (Age )

Results: Alpha/ Beta/ GammaHalfway Through: Pieces 65-76

With Reference (2nd Time)Without Reference (1st Time)

Nathan (Age 17)

Jackson (Age 17)

Mack (Age 17)

AlphaBetaGamma

Results: Alpha/ Beta/ GammaHalfway Through: Pieces 65-76



Jim (Age 54) Allan (Age 78)

AlphaBetaGamma

Conclusion:

• Attention• When beginning a puzzle, attention is highest when reference is present• When finishing a puzzle, attention is highest during the first time

• Relaxation• Presence of a reference does not change one’s relaxation• Relaxation varies from person to person

• Most likely just differences in the individual

• Alpha/ Beta/ Gamma• Among younger subjects, alpha/ beta/ gamma waves change dominance• Among older subjects, gamma is highest while alpha is the lowest

Questions:

Why are gamma EEG waves dominant for older subjects?

What characteristics of an individual would cause them to be more relaxed/ attentive while completing puzzles?

Why do alpha/ beta/ gamma EEG waves correlate so strongly?