ALPHA-FREQUENCY, REACTION-TIME, AND THE SPEED OF PROCESSING INFORMATION

Several experiments indicate that alpha frequency is significantly cor related with the speed of information processing, as measured by react ion times. These data imply that alpha frequency is a timing mechanism for cognitive processes. However, this interpretation contradicts the well-accepted view that there is no single alpha rhythm, but instead an entire population of different alpha oscillations. We present argum ents and report data in the attempt to demonstrate that this paradox c an be resolved if different states of alpha oscillations are distingui shed. The results of the present study show that during a state of des ynchronization, task-related shifts in alpha frequency are not ''real' ' because they are not related to reaction times. Instead, they most l ikely reflect power changes in different frequency bands.