Use of Electroencephalography to Evaluate Neural Correlates of Attention in the Oddball Paradigm

Author

• Folsom J. Berry, University of MississippiFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management

First Advisor

Paul Loprinzi

Second Advisor

Jeremy Loenneke

Third Advisor

Mervin Matthew

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Electroencephalography (EEG) and Event-Related Potentials (ERP) are tools used to study and analyze cognitive processing. EEG measures neuroelectric brain activity from the scalp, while ERPs are time-locked averages that are used to isolate neural responses to stimuli. The P300 (P3) component (positive waveform elicited at 300 milliseconds (ms)) is the primary ERP component. This thesis project had two main objectives. The first objective was to develop conceptual and technical competency in EEG/ERP theory, data acquisition, and processing. The second objective was to implement the visual oddball paradigm through experimental demonstration. This experiment tested the hypothesis that infrequent target stimuli will elicit a larger P3 component when compared to frequent standard stimuli. Participants were 7 undergraduate students and faculty members at the University of Mississippi, with 2 datasets excluded due to technical complication. Therefore, 5 datasets were collected and analyzed with participants having an age range between 19 and 22 years old, with one male and four females. This experiment followed a within-subject, single session design, with participants completing 300 trials (3 blocks of 100) whilst EEG data was recorded. ERPs were then computed for target versus standard conditions. After data collection, analysis, and processing, it was determined that target stimuli elicit a larger P300 response relative to that elicited by standard stimuli. Findings from this project align with prior research conducted on the P300 component and the visual oddball paradigm, proving that initial objectives in competency and experimentation were met. These skills contribute to a future career in medicine, research, and neuroscience.

Recommended Citation

Berry, Folsom J., "Use of Electroencephalography to Evaluate Neural Correlates of Attention in the Oddball Paradigm" (2026). Honors Theses. 3438.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3438

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.