Most people know that electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain activity. But probably few know that the first measurement of the human EEG came from an attempt to scientifically test telepathy, and even fewer that one of the first EEG devices from Groningen inspired the founding of a Dutch company. This blog post provides interesting historical insights into the measurement technique of EEG and it’s relation to Psychology in Groningen.
Who hasn’t wanted to look inside someone’s head, especially when that person is acting strangely? A look into the brain can indeed be revealing, both from a medical and neuropsychological point of view, but also from an educational one. This is literally the case with ’P-0255’. But P-0255 is not an old personnel number as a colleague suspected, nor is it a neuroimaging scan; it is the number of a specimen from the University Museum’s pathological brain collection that shows a particular form of traumatic brain injury: a coup contre-coup.
Very few visitors of the University Museum in Groningen know that the three skulls exhibited there once belonged to Dutch gang members, and what they can tell us about the history and development of psychology and neuroscience.
After efforts of courageous individuals and public pressure, the APA commissioned a report. It revealed that the APA was compliant with torture, lied and covered up their close relations with government entities, and weakened their ethical guidelines. The aftermaths of this scandal still holds hard lessons: how can ethical awareness be sharpened to not allow an environment creating harm?
About one year ago, I received a message from Mrs. M.’s neurosurgeon: “Stefanie, are you ready to attend a surgery this Saturday?” This truly extraordinary experience showed me once again the impact of executive dysfunctions and how they can abruptly turn one’s whole life upside-down.