Exploring the relationship between attention, motivation and BCI task performance

This thesis aims to explore the relationship between five psychological and cognitive variables, i.e., selective attention, sustained attention, reaction time, motivation and locus of control, and BCI task performance. By investigating the psychological factors that influence BCI task performance, this thesis aims to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that influence the effectiveness of BCI systems and pave the way for improved design and implementation of these systems. The research question that guides this thesis is: Is there a correlation between attention, reaction time, or motivation and P300-based BCI performance in a spelling task? To answer this question, this thesis will first review the existing literature on BCI technology and the factors that correlate with the proficient use of BCI. This will include an overview of the EEG-based BCI systems, as well as the importance of various psychological and cognitive factors such as attention, motivation, cognitive flexibility, emotional state, mental workload, reaction time, and their impact on BCI task performance. Additionally, a detailed rationale for the selection of specific variables in the study will be provided. The methodology of this thesis will then be outlined, which involves conducting a correlational study. This will include collecting data from human subjects using electroencephalography (EEG) and analyzing the data using various signal processing techniques. This will be succeeded by an analysis of the questionnaires and study data, which will highlight the key findings, followed by a discussion of the implications of said findings, an acknowledgement of the study's limitations, and an outline of the potential directions for future research in understanding the cognitive and psychological factors that impact P300-based BCI performance. The significance of this research lies in its potential to improve the accuracy and reliability of BCI systems and human performance, which could have significant implications for individuals with disabilities or communication impairments. By identifying the key factors that influence BCI performance, this thesis aims to contribute to optimizing these factors, thus enhancing the usability and practicality of BCI technology and providing a roadmap for future research and development of BCI technology.