ABSTRACT
Now that you have a sense of the history of psychophysiological measurement, both as a field and as an approach used by media psychology researchers, it is time to introduce some terms and concepts that are central to the approach. This chapter is short but important, designed to familiarize you with key ideas and vocabulary in order to make later chapters easier to follow. It begins with a discussion of basic topics of signal recording and then moves to iconic characteristics of psychophysiological responses in humans. The chapter is not by any means exhaustive in its detail. You are encouraged to consult other excellent psychophysiology textbooks such as Andreassi (2007); Cacioppo, Tassinary, and Berntson (2007a); and Stern, Ray, and Quigley (2001) prior to starting your own work. Furthermore, a chapter by Marshall-Goodell, Tassinary, and Cacioppo (1990) provides wonderful coverage of the bioelectrical principles central to psychophysiological recording.
