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
With Reference(2nd Time)
Without Reference(1st Time)
Jackson (Age 17)Jim (Age 53)
Results: Attention
With Reference(2nd Time)
Without Reference(1st Time)
Laura (Age 48) Nathan (Age 17)
JUST BEGINNING: Pieces 65-76
Results: Relaxation
JUST BEGINNING: Pieces 65-76
With Reference(2nd Time)
Without Reference(1st Time)
Dan (Age 48) Jackson (Age 17)
Results: Relaxation
Halfway Through: Pieces 77-88
With Reference(2nd Time)
Without Reference(1st Time)
Laura (Age 48) Allan (Age 78)
Results: Relaxation
Finishing Up: Pieces 89-100
With Reference(2nd Time)
Without Reference(1st Time)
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
With Reference(2nd Time)
Without Reference(1st Time)
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?
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