What is it like to participate in an ERP study?

In our lab, we study what happens in people’s brains while they listen to or read words. Each session takes about 1.5-2 hours.

When you first come to the lab, we’ll tell you about the experiment and what you’ll be doing, and answer any questions you may have. If you decide you’d like to participate, you’ll fill out some forms. We’ll also ask you to do some short tests, like reading words or picking the picture that fills in a pattern.

During an ERP study, we record electrical signals from your brain using a special cap. We put the cap on your head and put a tiny amount of gel (like hair gel) into the holes in the cap. We also attach a few sensors to your face to keep track of when you blink.

Cap placed on participant's head

Cap being filled with gel

After the cap is set up, we start the experiment. Usually, you’ll hear words through headphones or look at words on a computer screen. You will press buttons to answer questions about what you hear or see. For example, you might listen to pairs of words and press one button if they rhyme and another button if they don’t. You might read sentences and answer simple questions about what you just read.

Wearing the cap does not hurt in any way and it is very safe. After the experiment, you may notice a little bit of the gel in your hair. You can wash up in the lab if you want. If you get worried or have questions during the experiment, you can tell us right away. You can stop the experiment at any time.