Abstract
The effects of EEG alpha feedback and instructional set were studied in 40 college students. Reported subjective experiences during feedback were examined experimentally in a factorial “drug‐drug set” design. Alpha and no‐alpha feedback were each paired with alpha and neutral instructions, in order to observe the individual and combined effects of alpha activity and instructional set. The results showed that for an “alpha experience” to occur, both alpha activity and alpha set are necessary; neither alone is sufficient. Theoretical considerations based on the Schachter and Singer (1962) drug model and some implications for alpha feedback research are discussed.