Stephen Fairclough

Liverpool John Moores University | LJMU · School of Psychology

The assessment and prediction of cognitive performance is a key issue for any discipline concerned with human operators in the context of safety-critical behavior. Most of the research has focused on the measurement of mental workload but this construct remains difficult to operationalize despite decades of research on the topic. Recent advances in...

Abstract Negativity bias, i.e., tendency to respond strongly to negative stimuli, can be captured via behavioural and psychophysiological responses to potential threat. A virtual environment (VE) was created at room-scale wherein participants traversed a grid of ice blocks placed 200 m above the ground. Threat was manipulated by increasing the prob...

Our sense of time is fallible, often resulting in the sensation of time flying by quickly or dragging slowly. It has been suggested that changes in sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity may influence the perceived passage of time, however this proposition has never been tested during real-world temporal experience. The...

Trait impulsivity represents a tendency to take action without forethought or consideration of consequences. This trait is multifaceted and can be decomposed into attentional, motor and non-planning subtypes of impulsivity. The purpose of the current study was to investigate how subtypes of trait impulsivity responded to different degrees of threat...

Trait impulsivity represents a tendency to take action without forethought or consideration of consequences. This trait is multifaceted and can be decomposed into attentional, motor and non-planning subtypes of impulsivity. The purpose of the current study was to investigate how subtypes of trait impulsivity responded to different degrees of threat...

Neuroadaptive technology (NAT) is a closed-loop neurotechnology designed to enhance human–computer interaction. NAT works by collecting neurophysiological data, which are analysed via autonomous algorithms to create actions and adaptations at the user interface. This paper concerns how interaction with NAT can mediate self-related processing (SRP),...

The dorsal and ventral attention networks (DAN & VAN) provide a framework for studying attentional modulation of pain. It has been argued that cognitive demand distracts attention from painful stimuli via top-down reinforcement of task goals (DAN), whereas pain exerts an interruptive effect on cognitive performance via bottom-up pathways (VAN). The...

Virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to induce emotional states during academic studies and immersive experiences. This application of VR can be extended through an adaptive interactive mechanism (AIM), which alters aspects of the virtual environment (VE) in real-time to create personalized experiences calibrated to the individual user. Adap...

Pain reduction during clinical procedures is a pivotal element in reducing unpleasant experiences. In this chapter, we discuss the creation of a neuroadaptive game that has been designed to distract participants from pain. The chapter also includes details about the mechanisms that have been used both to prepare the data and make real-time adaptati...

Neuroadaptive systems are designed to make adaptations to the user interface based on implicit monitoring and analyses of neurophysiological data. This closed-loop approach to human-computer interaction can be used to enhance attentional regulation, sustain motivation, and enable implicit selection from a range of options. Whereas current research...

Pain tolerance can be increased by the introduction of an active distraction, such as a computer game. This effect has been found to be moderated by game demand, i.e., increased game demand = higher pain tolerance. A study was performed to classify the level of game demand and the presence of pain using implicit measures from functional Near-InfraR...

Research on listening effort has used various physiological measures to examine the biological correlates of listening effort but a systematic examination of the impact of listening demand on cardiac autonomic nervous system activity is still lacking. The presented study aimed to close this gap by assessing cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic r...

Industry restructuring are pressures faced by cities in both the East and West. Some successful Chinese examples do not consider the distinctive characteristics of local and demand for experience from people. Nowadays, people expect more than just function in their chosen environment but benefit from interaction, connection and engaging the senses....

Industry restructuring are pressures faced by cities in both the East and West. Some successful Chinese examples do not consider the distinctive characteristics of local and demand for experience from people. Nowadays, people expect more than just function in their chosen environment but benefit from interaction, connection and engaging the senses....

Mobile technology and wearable sensors can provide objective measures of psychological stress in everyday life. Data from sensors can be visualized and viewed by the user to increase self-awareness and promote adaptive coping strategies. A capacity to effectively self-regulate negative emotion can mitigate the biological process of inflammation, wh...

Introduction: Watchkeeping is a significant activity during maritime operations, and failures of sustained attention and decision-making can increase the likelihood of a collision. Methods: A study was conducted in a ship bridge simulator where 40 participants (20 experienced/20 inexperienced) performed: (1) a 20-min period of sustained attentio...

In this Research Topic, High Performance Cognition (HPC) emerges as a generic term for the study of human performance and skill acquisition, from novices on an unfamiliar task (as most psychological experiments) to experts displaying superior levels of domain-specific skill. We received 11 pieces of empirical work across several experimental tasks...

Painful experiences during clinical procedures can have detrimental effects on the physical and mental health of a patient. Current pain reduction methods can be effective in reducing pain, however these methods are not without fault. Active distraction via computer games have been proven to effectively reduce the experience of pain. However, the p...

Technology, such as computer games and virtual reality (VR), can be used to distract attention from pain. This type of non-pharmacological intervention is cost-effective, efficient and avoids complications arising from medication. However, the capacity of technology to capture attention and effectively distract from painful stimulation is determine...

Stress is a negative emotion that occurs in everyday life, such as driving. Recurrent exposure to stress can be detrimental to cardiovascular health in the long term. Nevertheless, the development of adaptive coping strategies can mitigate the influence of everyday stress on cardiovascular health. Understanding context is essential to modelling the...

The Handbook of Multimodal-Multisensor Interfaces provides the first authoritative resource on what has become the dominant paradigm for new computer interfaces-user input involving new media (speech, multi-touch, hand and body gestures, facial expressions, writing) embedded in multimodal-multisensor interfaces. This three-volume handbook is writte...

Executive cognitive functions like working memory determine the success or failure of a wide variety of different cognitive tasks, such as problem solving, navigation, or planning. Estimation of constructs like working memory load or memory capacity from neurophysiological or psychophysiological signals would enable adaptive systems to respond to c...

Previous research has demonstrated changes in neurovascular activation of the prefrontal cortex to increased working memory load. The primary purpose of the current paper was to investigate overload of working memory capacity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) within the framework of motivational intensity theory. A secondary goal...

Stress is a negative emotion that is part of everyday life. However, frequent episodes or prolonged periods of stress can be detrimental to long-term health. Nevertheless, developing self-awareness is an important aspect of fostering effective ways to self-regulate these experiences. Mobile lifelogging systems provide an ideal platform to support s...

Physiological computing describes a category of human-computer interaction where physiological data from the brain and body are transformed into input control to inform software adaptation. These physiological data are used to provide a dynamic representation of the user with respect to extending the body schema (sense of personal agency) and the b...

The eBook of this Frontiers Research Topic is divided into four sections, defined by the primary research methods used to address a variety of neuroergonomic research questions. The scientific topics range from air traffic control and automation, over mental load detection and the use of brain activity to control a system (brain computer interfaces...

Fernseher, Apps, Spielkonsolen: Die verschiedensten Geräte übertragen inzwischen teils sensible Daten über das Internet. Stephen Fairclough, Professor für Psychophysiologie an der Liverpool John Moores University, ruft zu mehr Bedacht auf: Entsprechende elektronische Geräte, die physiologische Daten wie Emotionen, Herzschlag oder Hirnwellen erfasse...

According to motivational intensity theory, effort is proportional to the level of task demand provided that success is possible and successful performance is deemed worthwhile. The current study represents a simultaneous manipulation of demand (working memory load) and success importance (financial incentive) to investigate neurophysiological (EEG...

Biocybernetic adaptation is a form of physiological computing whereby real-time data streaming from the brain and body is used by a negative control loop to adapt the user interface. This article describes the development of an adaptive game system that is designed to maximize player engagement by utilizing changes in real-time electroencephalograp...

As our minds and bodies increasingly drive effective control of computing technologies, our computers will adjust according to our physiological cues. Will it become difficult to distinguish where we end and our computers begin? The Web extra at https://youtu.be/_nLqjHTTVPg is a audio interview in which Rob Jacob talks with guest editors Giulio Jac...

This paper is concerned with how people interact with an emergent form of technology that is capable of both monitoring and affecting the psychology and behaviour of the user. The current relationship between people and computer is characterised as asymmetrical and static. The closed-loop dynamic of physiological computing systems is used as an exa...

The prospect of connecting the brain and body to a technological device can elicit a broad range of responses from potential users. Early adopters are thrilled by the possibility of a device that can interface directly to the human nervous system. For the vast majority, interest is tempered by caution, as nascent varieties of physiological computin...

The repeated experience of negative emotions, such as depression, anger or anxiety, can have lasting implications for long-term health. For example, experiencing frequent and recurring episodes of anger can increase the susceptibility to cardiovascular disease with the associated burden on health services. Evidence is emerging that the development...

The accurate classification of psychophysiological data is an important determinant of the quality when interacting with a physiological computing system. Previous research has focused on classification accuracy of psychophysiological data in purely mathematical terms but little is known about how accuracy metrics relate to users’ perceptions of ac...

The medial area of the rostral prefrontal cortex (rPFC) has been implicated in self-relevant processing, autobiographical memory and emotional processing, including the processing of pleasure during aesthetic experiences. The goal of this study was to investigate changes in rPFC activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in respon...

This paper presents a psychophysiological construct of interest as a knowledge emotion and illustrates the importance of interest detection in a cultural heritage context. The objective of this work is to measure and classify psychophysiological reactivity in response to cultural heritage material presented as visual and audio. We present a data pr...

Physiological data in its different dimensions-bioelectrical, biomechanical, biochemical, or biophysical- and collected through existing sensors or specialized biomedical devices, image capture, or other sources is pushing the boundaries of physiological computing for human-computer interaction (HCI). Although physiological computing shows the pote...

Physiological data can be used as input to a computerised system. There are many types of interaction that can be facilitated by this form of input ranging from intentional control to implicit software adaptation. This type of interaction directly with the brain and body represent a new paradigm in human–computer interaction and this chapter will d...

A study was conducted to investigate the potential of mood induction via music to influence cardiovascular correlates of negative emotions experience during driving behaviour. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to one of five groups, four of whom experienced different categories of music: High Activation/Positive Valence (HA/PV), High...

Electronic devices that track our emotions, heart rate or brain waves should be regulated to protect individual privacy, says Stephen Fairclough.

The degree of engagement in a computer game is determined by sensory immersion (i.e. effects of display technology) and challenge immersion (i.e. effects of task demand). Twenty participants played a computer game under two display conditions (a large TV vs. head-mounted display) with three levels of cognitive challenge (easy/hard/impossible). Imme...

In the domain of physiological computing, human physiology is directly monitored and used as input to a technological system. Signals from the brain and body can be used to infer a user’s intentions and psychological state which enables a physiological computing system to respond and adapt in an appropriate fashion. A computer game could modify its...

The Motivational Intensity Model states that task engagement varies as a function of success likelihood and instrumentality/desirability of goal achievement. Two studies were conducted to test these predictions using EEG frontal asymmetry by manipulating working memory demand on the n-back task over easy, difficult and impossible levels of demand....

The contemplation of visual art requires attention to be directed to external stimulus properties and internally generated thoughts. It has been proposed that the medial rostral prefrontal cortex (rPFC; BA10) plays a role in the maintenance of attention on external stimuli whereas the lateral area of the rPFC is associated with the preservation of...

The concept of task engagement is associated with effortful striving to reach a desired goal. This dimension is fundamental for software designed to elicit high quality performance. This paper will review the concept of task engagement, both in the psychological literature and with respect to affective computing approaches, such as biofeedback and...

Executive functioning deficits are reported in ecstasy users. However research into mental set switching has been equivocal, with behavioral studies suggesting the function is preserved. The current study sought to address the issue of switching deficits in ecstasy users by combining behavioral performance with electrophysiological correlates (elec...

Previous research in ecstasy users suggests impairment of various executive functions. In general, the executive function of response inhibition appears unaffected by ecstasy use. Nonetheless, it remains a possibility that cognitive tasks alone are not sensitive enough to pick up subtle changes in function. The current study sought to investigate b...

This paper presents the psychological construct interest as a knowledge emotion and illustrates the importance of interest in a cultural heritage context. Contemporary heritage institutions model installations and artifacts around a passive receivership where content is consumed but not influenced by visitors. We present work towards an adaptive in...

The contemporary heritage institution visitor model is built around passive receivership where content is consumed but not influenced by the visitor. This paper presents work in progress towards an adaptive interface designed to respond to the level of interest of the visitor, in order to deliver a personalised experience within cultural heritage i...

Immersion is used to describe the degree of psychological engagement with a computer game. A study was performed to investigate the relative contribution of game demand (easy, hard, impossible) and display type (small 5 display, large TV display, head-mounted display) on the experience of immersion. Fifteen participants played a racing game in a ra...

Background: Deficits in executive functions such as access to semantic/long-term memory have been shown in ecstasy users in previous research. Equally, there have been many reports of equivocal findings in this area. The current study sought to further investigate behavioural and electro-physiological measures of this executive function in ecstasy...

Adaptive behavior is one of the main challenges in building computerized systems, especially in the case of systems which are delivering information to the end users. Indeed, since the information overload has become the main drawback for the future development of such systems (cf. Big Data challenge), there is a huge movement in the research commu...

BCIs are traditionally conceived as a way to control apparatus, an interface that allows you to "act on" external devices as a form of input control. We propose an alternative use of BCIs, that of monitoring users as an additional intelligent sensor to enrich traditional means of interaction. This vision is what we consider to be a grand challenge...

The biocybernetic loop describes the data processing protocol at the heart of all physiological computing systems. The loop also encompasses the goals of the system design with respect to the anticipated impact of the adaptation on user behaviour. There are numerous challenges facing the designer of a biocybernetic loop in terms of measurement, dat...

Kolk et al.'s model of symptom perception underlines the effects of trait negative affect, selective attention and external stressors. The current study tested this model in 263 males and 498 females from an occupational sample. Trait negative affect was associated with symptom reporting in females only, and selective attention and psychological jo...

Three studies were performed to investigate how identification with an exergame character increases motivation to perform physical activity and, in turn, actual physical activity. Study 1 showed that the extent to which players identified with their game character positively correlated with motivation to perform physical activity. Study 2 indicated...

Pervasive adaptive systems are concerned with the construction of “smart” technologies capable of adapting to the needs of the individual in real time. In order to achieve this level of specificity, systems must be capable of monitoring the psychological status of the user and responding to these changes in real time and across multiple systems if...

The experience of anger may have consequences for the long-term health of the individual. The psychophysiological manifestation of anger can vary in response to the motivational context of anger provocation. The current study was designed to investigate how motivational context (challenge vs. threat) influenced the cardiovascular system and frontal...

The process of goal-setting may be captured by psychophysiological variables, such as cardiovascular reactivity (representative of effort mobilisation) and frontal EEG asymmetry (motivational disposition). The current study exposed 32 participants to false performance feedback in order to manipulate goal-setting and mental effort investment. Partic...

This chapter describes the physiological computing paradigm where electrophysiological changes from the human nervous system are used to interface with a computer system in real time. Physiological computing systems are categorized into five categories: muscle interfaces, brain-computer interfaces, biofeedback, biocybernetic adaptation and ambulato...

The brain and body provide a wealth of information about the physiological, cognitive and emotional state of the user. There is increased opportunity to use these data in computerised systems as forms of input control. As entry level physiological sensors become more widespread, physiological interfaces are liable to become more pervasive in our so...

Driver anger could be potentially harmful for road safety and longterm health. Because of its mood inducing properties, music is assumed to be a potential medium that could prevent anger induction during driving. In the current study the influence of music on anger, mood, skin conductance, and systolic blood pressure was investigated during anger i...

The operationalisation of user psychological state is essential for physiological computing systems. The present study investigated the sensitivity of different psychophysiological measures to task engagement in a cognitive challenge scenario. A repeated measures design manipulated working memory demand and financial incentive. Low, high and imposs...

Quantifying how we change over time is a powerful tool, for it allows us to better understand the impact of events and our behavior on our psychological and physiological wellbeing. With understanding we can attempt to manipulate our behaviors so to improve coping strategies and outcomes (e.g. avoid undesirable mental states). As wearable sensors b...

The operationalisation of user psychological state is essential for physiological computing systems. The present study investigated the sensitivity of different psychophysiological measures to task engagement in a cognitive challenge scenario. A repeated measures design manipulated working memory demand and financial incentive. Low, high and imposs...