Clarification of the concepts vigilance and activation in pharmacopsychology and electrophysiology

Nine significant concepts and definitions of vigilance and activation from the fields of psychology and neurophysiology are introduced. The term "vigilance" stands out as a neurophysiological, and especially as an electrophysiological construct which is designated a mediating role (disposition) in the optimal preparation and adaptation of behaviour to the environment. In accordance with this central idea, the term vigilance should be operationalised and parametrised primarily with neurophysiological methods. The various forms of the electroencephalogram are held to be the most accurate indicators of the state of vigilance. For the sake of semantic clarity, the term vigilance should be avoided in psychological research, and instead the terms attentiveness, concentration etc. should be used. On the basis of the tests selected for the paper, it becomes apparent that "vigilant" = attentive behaviour designates a working construct with wide applicability. The term serves to describe a preparatory state for optimal adaptation to and performance in the environment, which must be precisely defined from one experimental situation to another. These considerations apply particularly to human pharmacological experiments in which pharmacopsychological and psychopharmacological questions come into contact. The term vigilance fits into the concept of activation.