Smartphones, Attention, and Brain Electrical Responses

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the association between attention and P3 amplitude, a deflection in brain electrical activity, as well as the power of 20-35Hz Beta wave activity. Prior work has shown that attention performance is compromised in the presence of one’s smartphone. This study utilizes EEG and its measurements of Beta and P3 amplitude to determine if smartphone presence affects brain activity associated with attention. A decrease in the P3 amplitude to target stimuli is expected when in presence of the phone, due to its ability to attract/maintain attention. An increase in the Beta power is expected when in presence of the phone due to its ability to attract/maintain attention.