Authoritarianism, Introspection, and Alpha Wave Biofeedback Training

Fifty volunteers were given personality tests measuring the traits of introspection and authoritarianism. Seven subjects from each extreme of the resulting scale were then chosen to participate in 6 alpha wave biofeedback training sessions, conducted in a darkened room with eyes closed. Trust, empathy, and introversion scales were also completed and subjective state evaluations were collected. The results showed that those scoring high in introspection and low in authoritarianism (High Group) could produce a larger difference between their alpha-on and alpha-off periods (thus indicating control), than those scoring low in introspection and high in authoritarianism (Low Group). In addition, the two groups differed in the trait of trust with the High Group scoring significantly higher on that trait. There were no differences in the traits of introversion or empathy.