One developer is looking into using a person's mental state as an emotional fingerprint in possible versions of biometric security systems. The concept for this security system is published in the International Journal of Advanced Intelligence Paradigms. Violeta Tulceanu describes that the security system is first trained to recognize a user's emotional fingerprint. These emotional fingerprints are based on the user's brainwave patterns that result from emotional stimulation using the abstract concept as auditive stimuli.
The system works by first establishing a baseline brainwave fingerprint. To do that, the person dons an EEG cap or other device that can measure brainwaves. Next, he's shown evocative images or sounds meant to produce a reaction. The brainwave patterns generated are collected and amassed into a unique, digital fingerprint that represents the person's basic emotional state.
By scanning the brainwave activities of an individual, the biometric system can not only determine if the individual can be given access to resources but also determine if in the current emotional state of the user, will he or she be using the given resources responsible or acting in his own terms.
Future versions of the biometrics include the ability to analyze the current brainwave activities of the user to determine to assess the mental state of the user.
"The true engine of motivation is our capacity to perceive pleasure and fear pain, and thus, reward and punishment," explains Tulceanu. "Our ability to react to dangerous situations is directly related to our capacity to relate to our environment, and our sense of self-preservation." As such, if one is in a well-balanced emotional state one will react to external factors according to context, group expectations, education, cultural background, social norms and personal inclinations, these are what game theory refers to as rational players. However, we are emotional creatures subject to wants and desires, lusts, greed, happiness and sadness, as well as the psychoactive effects of chemical stimulants that might make access to particular resources in some contexts inappropriate or hazardous."