8
Effects of Restricted Environmental
Stimulation on Inversion Perception
Mary Frances Miller and Marianne Barabasz
ABSTRACT
Severa 1 cogn i t i ve and psychophys i 01 og i ca 1 adaptations to Restri cted
Environmental Stimulation (REST) (Suedfeld, 1980) have been demonstrated.
The study investigated the effect of short term flotation Restricted
Environmental Stimulation Therapy on inversion perception conformity.
Experimental subjects (N=15) were exposed to two hours of flotation REST.
Control subjects (N=12) spent two hours in one of the laboratory suites.
Immediately prior to, immediately following and two months after their two
hour experimental or control participation, all subjects viewed twelve
abstract figure pairs and indicated which figure of each pair appeared upside
down. Subjects exposed to REST demonstrated a tendency toward a significant
increase in focal point dependency following exposure to flotation REST.
Control subjects' scores decreased from pretest to follow up testing. These
findings are consistent with the changes in inversion perception demonstrated
by A. Barabasz & M. Barabasz in subjects exposed to Antarctic isolation.
I NTRODUCTI ON
Recent
studies
have
demonstrated
several
cognitive
and
psychophysiological adaptations to Restricted Environmental Stimulation
(REST) (Suedfeld, 1980). These adaptations have been demonstrated in both
laboratory and field settings. These include increases in hypnotizability
(Barabasz, 1980; 1982), EEG alpha states (Barabasz, 1980), experimental
absorption (Barabasz &Mullin, 1983), and imaginative involvement (Barabasz,
1984) . Alternat i ve mechan isms have been hypothes i zed to exp 1a i n these
adaptations including regression to primary process thinking (Bexton, Heron
&Scott, 1954; Gill &Brenman, 1959; Reyher, 1964) and learned dissociation
(Barabasz, 1982). Reyher (1964) suggested that regression is functionally
associated with a lower level of neuro-cortical integration.
When
individuals are functioning at this lower level, their subjective experiences
and behaviors are characteristic of those associated with regression. Reyher
(1964) further suggested that there is a relationship between the degree
105
P. Suedfeld et al. (eds.), Restricted Environmental Stimulation
© Springer-Verlag New York Inc. 1990
and/or type of environmental stimulation and level of cognitive processing.
In order to maintain normal adaptive behavior, continually varied sensory
input has been vi ewed as essent i a1 (Bexton et a1, 1954). Bexton et a1 .
(1954) concluded that the restriction of sensory inflow may result in
behavior that is indicative"of regression. The regressive behavior, however,
is only present when individuals are in a sensory restricted environment.
Barabasz and Barabasz (1986) invest i gated regress i on phenomena in
Antarct i c i so 1ates. Based on Gi 11 and Brenman (1959) and Reyher' s (1964)
hypotheses concern i ng the re 1at i onshi p between REST and regressi on, they
predicted Ss would demonstrate increased focal point dependency responses in
the process of identifying abstract figure pairs as inverted, immediately
following Antarctic isolation. Focal point dependency refers to the degree
to which subjects consistently use focal point location as the basis for
identifying abstract figures as inverted (Strang, 1967). Pre-primary age
children demonstrate greater focal point dependency when compared to adults
and primary age children (Dodd &Strang, 1966; Strang, 1967). If regression
effects occur, subjects would be expected to demonstrate greater focal point
dependency immediately following sensory isolation.
In subjects experienced long term isolation, Barabasz and Barabasz,
(1986) found that there was a significant increase in focal point dependency
scores immediately following Antarctic winter isolation. Immediately after
short term summer Antarctic isolation subjects demonstrated a tendency
(p>.106) toward increased focal point dependency.
This interesting
adaptation was maintained two months after subjects returned to the United
States (p>.109).
The purpose of the present study was to determi ne whether or not
subjects who experi ence short-term 1aboratory fl otat i on REST demonstrate
increased focal point dependency.
METHOD
Subjects consisted of upper undergraduate, graduate and post doctoral
level volunteers (N=30) at Washington State University. At the time of
recruitment, subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group and
control group. Three subjects who were randomly assigned to the control
group withdrew from the study, thus reducing the total number of subjects to
twenty seven. The experimental group consisted of fifteen subjects (X age
= 28.3 years; X education level = 18.5 years; males = 7; females = 8). The
106
control group consisted of twelve subjects (X age = 27.7 years; X education
level = 18.6 years; males = 6; females = 6.
Experimental subjects were asked to spend up to one orientation hour
and two experi menta 1 hours ina Fl oatari urn brand fl otat i on tank. The
dimensions of the tank are: Length = 266 centimeters; Widest width = 170
centimeters; Narrowest width = 135 centimeters; Height = 235 centimeters.
The tank was filled with a twenty percent solution of water and epsom salts
(M9 2 S0 4 ) (depth = 25 cent imeters) . The temperature of the sol ut i on was
maintained at 34.2 degrees centigrade plus or minus 0.1 degree centigrade.
pH factor was maintained between 7.4 and 7.6. Specific gravity was held
between 1.26 and 1.28. The Floatarium flotation tank was equipped with a two
way communication system, which was used to provide instructions and to
monitor subjects during isolation periods.
Experimental subjects were monitored for signs of sensory restriction
while in the flotation tank (Sanders, 1967). Subjects were told that if they
wanted to discontinue the experiment they could terminate at any time by
simply leaving the tank. If the subjects had any questions they could simply
ask the experimenter, who monitored all sessions continuously. None of the
subjects terminated early or initiated contact with the experimenter during
isolation.
The control subjects were told that the experiment was investigating
the "famil iarity of surroundings on the perception of abstract figures."
Control subjects were asked to spend up to two hours in one of the rooms of
the laboratory suite. They could read, study, or listen to music during this
time period. They were also told they could end the experiment at any time.
None of the control subjects terminated the experiment early.
Procedure: Consistent with previous investigations (Barabasz, 1984;
Barabasz & Barabasz, 1986) all testing was completed on an individualized
basis. Experimental subjects spent one orientation hour in the flotation
tank and returned within twenty four to thirty six hours for the two hour
experi menta 1 sess i on. The purpose of the fi rst ori entat i on hour was to
familiarize experimental subjects with the flotation tank in a calm,
reassuring atmosphere (Suedfeld, 1980).
I n order to measure focal poi nt dependency, subjects vi ewed twelve
s 1ides, each conta in i ng two fi gure pa irs.
The s1 i des were presented
separately in an established sequential progression. The figures were the
same as used by Dodd and Strang (1966), Strang (1967) and Barabasz and
107
Barabasz (1986). The pairs were identical figures, but one figure was
rotated 180 degrees in relation to the other. Figures were represented as
white lines on a blue background. Subjects were asked to indicate verbally
which figure was upside down. The first two figures portrayed real objects
in order to establish task orientation. Experimental subjects' focal-point
dependency was assessed prior to the two experimental hours while subjects
sat upright in the flotation tank and immediately after the two hours of
flotation REST. Follow-up testing was completed two months later.
Contro 1 subjects ' focal poi nt dependency was assessed i mmed i ate 1y
before and immediately after the two hour control condition, and at a two
month follow-up.
RESULTS
Pre, post and follow-up focal point dependency scores were analyzed by
analysi s of vari ance (ANOVA).
Overall ANOVA resul ts for experimental
subjects showed a significant difference existed among the testing periods
(F = 19.6, P <.001). Between group ANOVA's indicated a significant increase
in focal point dependency between post-test and follow-up (F = 7.6, P <.01).
Increases in focal point dependency from pre- to post-test showed a tendency
toward significance (F = 3.9, P <.06).
The results fail to support the regression to primary process thinking
exp 1anat i on of Bexton et a1., (1954), Gi 11 & Brenmen (1959), and Reyher
(1964) as the adaptation to REST, but are consistent with the findings of
Barabasz (1986).
Overall ANOVA results for control subjects indicated a significant
difference existed among the testing periods (F = 19.6, P <.001). Between
group ANOVA's indicated a significant decrease in focal point dependency
scores and between pre-test and follow up (F = 5.0, P <.04) and between posttest and follow-up (F = 9.0, P <.01). No significant difference was found
between pre-test and post-test scores (F = 2.2, N.S.).
One way analyses of variance were performed upon the pre-test, posttest, and follow-up focal point dependency scores of the experimental and
control subjects.
Control subjects demonstrated higher focal point
dependency scores than experimental subjects on the pretest measure at a
level approaching significance (F = 3.6, P <.06). No significant difference
between experimental and control groups were found on post-test F = 1.8,
N.S.) or follow-up scores (F = 1.7, N.S.).
108
FIGURE 1
FOCAL POINT Dt:Po.'OENC'i RESULTS
F
o
_.....
C
A
~.o
L
P
S.D . • ':!.O
3.8
S.D •• 1.9
I
N
T
o
"-
Controls --- .. ----
E
P
.0 . • 1.8
X • }.9
x•
o
x '.1
Experimcntals - - -
E'
N
"'
"'
"-
"' "' "-
X • 3.2
S.D . • 2.0
o
E
II
C
Y
5
C
o
R
E
5
i • 2.5
S.D •• 1.6
2.0
POSTIEST
PRETEST
FOLLOII UP
DISCUSSION
Barabasz and Barabasz (1986) demonstrated that individuals who
experienced short term isolation in Antarctica showed a tendency toward
increased focal point dependency immediately following isolation. The same
subjects who experienced short-term isolation in Antarctica maintained
similar levels of focal point dependency at follow-up testing two months
later. Barabasz and Barabasz (1986) also demonstrated that subjects who
experienced long term isolation in Antarctica showed significantly increased
focal point dependency following isolation. Due to logistical problems,
follow-up testing was not performed on subjects who experienced long term
isolation in Antarctica.
In regard to short term isolation, in both the field study (Barabasz
& Barabasz, 1986) and the present study, there was a tendency toward
increased focal point dependency from the pre-test to the post-test. At the
follow-up testing, two months after isolation, the focal point dependency
results of subjects who experienced short term Antarctic isolation were
109
rna i nta i ned at the post-test 1eve 1s, however, the focal poi nt dependency
results of subjects exposed to short term fl otat i on REST sign i fi cant 1y
increased from the post-test.
The results of this preliminary study on short term flotation REST fail
to support the regress i on hypothes is of sensory restri ct ion descri bed by
Reyher (1964). Based on the regression hypothesis proposed by Sanders and
Reyher (1969), individuals who experience sensory restriction would be
expected to regress to primary process thinking while in isolation, but
return to normal levels after sensory restriction. Barabasz (1982) proposed
learned dissociation as an alternative mechanism to explain the effects of
sensory restriction. The learned dissociation hypothesis (Barabasz, 1982)
predicts the maintenance of capacities developed in adapting to isolation.
While the present preliminary study focused only on focal point dependency
effects, the tendency toward significant effects from the pretest to the
post-test and the continuation of these effects to significant increase in
focal point dependency from the post-test to the follow-up test are
consistent with Barabasz's (1982) learned dissociation hypothesis.
Speculations based on observations made by the investigators might
offer some explanations for the findings and aid in further research on this
topic. In the present study, the increase in focal point dependency scores
from the pre-test to the post-test may have been attenuated by short term
memory effects. Many subjects stated to the experimenter following flotation
REST, that they had attempted to remember the stimuli from the pretest to the
post-test. Attempts by the experimental subjects to remember the stimuli may
have attenuated increases in focal point dependency. The results of followup testing of experimental subjects showed that the focal point dependency
scores increased significantly from the post-test scores. It is possible
that at follow-up testing, the increases in focal point dependency were fully
demonstrated because the subjects could not remember the stimuli after two
months. A suggestion for further research would be to employ parallel forms
of the focal point dependency test or to administer the pre-test several days
prior to the post-test.
Subject self selection might have also affected the results obtained
in this study. All subjects volunteered for the study with the understanding
that they would be randomly placed into one of the two groups; either the
group that would be exposed to flotation REST or the group that would test
familiarity of surroundings on the perception of abstract figures. Dumas
110
(1977) concluded that subject self selection was an important variable.
Three subjects refused to participate in the study when they learned that
they would not be exposed to flotation REST. This may have contributed to
the nearly significant difference between the pre-test focal point dependency
scores of the experimental and control groups. Control subjects' focal point
dependency scores changed significantly from the pretest to the follow-up
test. An examination of the mean focal point dependency scores, however,
demonstrates that there was a decrease in focal point dependency from the
pre-test to the follow-up test. Subject self selection variables may have
impacted these results as well. At this point it is not possible to draw any
firm conclusions.
Subjects who experienced short term flotation REST stated informally
to the investigators that they found the experience quite pleasant. This is
consistent with previous research involving REST (Barabasz &Barabasz, 1986,
Suedfeld, 1980). None of the subjects had to leave the flotation tank due
to clinical signs or symptoms of sensory restriction.
Further research is needed to further understand individuals'
adaptations to sensorially restricted environments. Additional research
might lead to specific recommendations for environmental designs.
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