A Monologue on Biofeedback and Psychophysiology

ABSTRACTThis paper is a commentary on the emergence of biofeedback methods and concepts as a significant behavioral strategy in psychophysiological research, and it includes a discussion of some contemporary issues. Operant conditioning methods have been useful in defining physiological activities as behavioral responses or as patterns of responses and in showing that these activities are subject to voluntary control or behavioral regulation. Other psychological and biological models are being developed in order to examine in detail the processes involved from different viewpoints and to enhance the clinical potential of biofeedback methods. This has stimulated further research on the effects of voluntary control of somatomotor and cognitive processes in achieving relatively permanent change in physiological functions. The complex interaction of cognitive factors and biofeedback control is illustrated in laboratory research on the regulation of systolic blood pressure. Finally, the problem of stimulus control of physiological activities and the variability of such activities under different conditions are seen as methodological and practical issues deserving greater attention. Related recent research is briefly discussed on the potential of biofeedback and voluntary control methods as a means of altering physiological and perceptual responses to stressful stimuli. It is concluded that the problems and potentials of biofeedback have provided a major stimulus to further basic research in psychophysiology.