DIFFERENCES IN EEG ALPHA-ACTIVITY RELATED TO GIFTEDNESS

In three experiments, differences in EEG alpha activity between gifted (mean IQ = 137) and average (mean IQ = 105) individuals were investig ated. EEG activity was monitored over 16 scalp locations. A fast Fouri er transform was performed on 15 artifact-free 2-second chunks of data to derive a spectral power average in the alpha band (7.5-13 Hz). In the first experiment, EEG of gifted and average individuals during two relaxation phases--eyes closed and eyes open--was recorded. Gifted in dividuals showed higher EEG alpha power only while resting with eyes o pen. In the second experiment, gifted and average individuals solved t wo problems that were divided into phases of problem solving and prepa ring for problem solving (reading, making a plan of how to solve the p roblem). Significant differences were obtained only for the problem-so lving stages. Gifted individuals in comparison with average ones showe d higher alpha power (less mental effort) while solving the two proble ms. The third experiment investigated whether the lower mental activit y displayed by gifted individuals was related to their ability to form more abstract schemata. For that purpose EEG was recorded while gifte d and average individuals memorized lists of words and pictures that e ither allowed, or did not allow? for classification into more abstract categories. For both types of lists, gifted individuals displayed hig her alpha power than average ones. The results obtained confirm the hy pothesis that the higher EEG alpha power during information processing displayed by gifted individuals may derive from the nonuse of many br ain areas not required for the problem at hand.