A psychophysical method for judgemental ratings of behavioral correlates of neural manipulation

Abstract

Judgemental rating procedures are one class of methods used to measure behavioral effects of neural manipulation. This manuscript introduces and demonstrates a psychophysical methodology for developing judgemental rating procedures to be used to quantify behavioral effects of neural manipulation. The psychophysical method consists of four stages. The stages are: (1) development of a descriptive framework, (2) scale development, (3) scale assessment, and (4) calibration and training of raters. The stages of development are intended to produce a rating procedure that provides a complete and accurate description of behaviors observed by raters, insures consistency in ratings within and between groups of raters, and includes descriptions of behaviors demonstrably related to neural function.