The human brain is the focus of interest for many branches of science and industry. EEG machines are currently the most accessible means of offering some insight into the electrical activity of the brain. The nature of the signal is highly specific, with its own strengths and weaknesses. The availability of a new generation of EEG acquisition devices is behind the boom in the use of the signal across disciplines. As a result, a significant number of studies are legitimately emerging that form judgments about the nature of the human psyche based on EEG data. It is an advantage for a psychologist to be able to navigate such judgments, to be able to assess their grounding in the data and in knowledge about the human brain in general. Meaningfully incorporating EEG as a source of objective data into psychological research need not be a complicated matter; it is sufficient to learn a few basic principles. The goal of this practice-oriented course is to explain these few basic principles in an understandable way. The theoretical sessions will be followed by a workshop where students will try working with the instrument or design their own study of the human brain.
Aim of the course: to familiarize the student with the possibilities and limitations of using EEG imaging not only in psychological research. To introduce the basics of working with the signal, its acquisition, processing and the possibilities of its use in psychology (ERP and qEEG research), therapy (neurofeedback method and its basic principle) and other scientific fields (Human Computer Interfacing, research in linguistics, digital signal processing). To offer students the opportunity to try working with EEG signal in practice. To deepen students' scientific reasoning by emphasizing the use of this imaging method in science.
Acquired knowledge: the student can define basic concepts related to the electrical activity of the brain, understands the possibilities of using EEG signal in psychological research and related fields. The student will be able to discuss the weaknesses and strengths of existing studies using EEG, and recognize two basic approaches to interpreting EEG data - so-called naive neurorealism and neuroskepticism.
Acquired skills: the student can critically evaluate the method of EEG signal interpretation in a given psychological study. The student is able to consider the appropriateness of using EEG signal in an upcoming psychological study (depending on the research questions and the nature of the research) and is able to select a method of working with data appropriate for a particular research problem.
Last update: Dragomirecká Eva, PhDr., Ph.D. (06.11.2023)
The human brain is the focus of interest for many branches of science and industry. EEG machines are currently the most accessible means of offering some insight into the electrical activity of the brain. The nature of the signal is highly specific, with its own strengths and weaknesses. The availability of a new generation of EEG acquisition devices is behind the boom in the use of the signal across disciplines. As a result, a significant number of studies are legitimately emerging that form judgments about the nature of the human psyche based on EEG data. It is an advantage for a psychologist to be able to navigate such judgments, to be able to assess their grounding in the data and in knowledge about the human brain in general. Meaningfully incorporating EEG as a source of objective data into psychological research need not be a complicated matter; it is sufficient to learn a few basic principles. The goal of this practice-oriented course is to explain these few basic principles in an understandable way. The theoretical sessions will be followed by a workshop where students will try working with the instrument or design their own study of the human brain.
Aim of the course: to familiarize the student with the possibilities and limitations of using EEG imaging not only in psychological research. To introduce the basics of working with the signal, its acquisition, processing and the possibilities of its use in psychology (ERP and qEEG research), therapy (neurofeedback method and its basic principle) and other scientific fields (Human Computer Interfacing, research in linguistics, digital signal processing). To offer students the opportunity to try working with EEG signal in practice. To deepen students' scientific reasoning by emphasizing the use of this imaging method in science.
Acquired knowledge: the student can define basic concepts related to the electrical activity of the brain, understands the possibilities of using EEG signal in psychological research and related fields. The student will be able to discuss the weaknesses and strengths of existing studies using EEG, and recognize two basic approaches to interpreting EEG data - so-called naive neurorealism and neuroskepticism.
Acquired skills: the student can critically evaluate the method of EEG signal interpretation in a given psychological study. The student is able to consider the appropriateness of using EEG signal in an upcoming psychological study (depending on the research questions and the nature of the research) and is able to select a method of working with data appropriate for a particular research problem.
Last update: Pastyříková Iveta, Mgr. (14.11.2023)
Course completion requirements -
Active participation, creating a research design using EEG signal as a variable, submitting the design in a written form.
Last update: Kaplan Cyril, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.02.2025)
Active participation, creating a research design using EEG signal as a variable, submitting the design in a written form.
Last update: Kaplan Cyril, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.02.2025)
Literature -
* Required: Buzsáki, G. (2006). Rhythms of the brain. Oxford NY: Oxford University Press. Knyazev, G. Motivation (2007), emotion, and their inhibitory control mirrored in brain oscillations. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 31, 377-395.
Spape, Michiel M. (2021) “A Psychologist's Guide to EEG: The Electric Study of the Mind.” OSF
* Recommended: Llen, J. J. B., Coan, J. A., Nazarian, M. (2004). Issues and assumptions on the road from raw signals to metrics of frontal EEG asymmetry in emotion. Biological Psychology 67, 183-218. Handy, T. (2004) Event related potentials: A methods handbook. Cambridge MA: The MIT Press Spape, M. M., Filetti, M., Eugster M. J. A., Jacucci, G. and Ravaja, N. (2015). Human Computer Interaction Meets Psychophysiology: A Critical Perspective. In B. Blankertz et al. (Eds.): Symbiotic 2015, LNCS 9359, pp. 145-158. Heidelberg: Springer.
Last update: Nikolai Tomáš, doc. Mgr. et Mgr., Ph.D. (13.12.2023)
* Required: Buzsáki, G. (2006). Rhythms of the brain. Oxford NY: Oxford University Press. Knyazev, G. Motivation (2007), emotion, and their inhibitory control mirrored in brain oscillations. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 31, 377-395
Spape, Michiel M. (2021) “A Psychologist's Guide to EEG: The Electric Study of the Mind.” OSF
* Recommended: Llen, J. J. B., Coan, J. A., Nazarian, M. (2004). Issues and assumptions on the road from raw signals to metrics of frontal EEG asymmetry in emotion. Biological Psychology 67, 183-218. Handy, T (2004). Event related potentials: A methods handbook. Cambridge MA: The MIT Press Spape, M. M., Filetti, M., Eugster M. J. A., Jacucci, G. and Ravaja, N. (2015). Human Computer Interaction Meets Psychophysiology: A Critical Perspective. In B. Blankertz et al. (Eds.): Symbiotic 2015, LNCS 9359, pp. 145-158. Heidelberg: Springer.
