Some diplomats said they expected a spirited debate over the wording, which some northern countries regard as a signal to support more debt-fuelled stimulus spending.
Even though a person may not be consciously aware of movement or of unexpected appearance, the brain detects it and triggers the P-300 brainwave, a brain signal that is thought to be involved in stimulus evaluation or categorization.
Investors quickly took that as a signal that the Fed stood ready to launch another round of stimulus or quantitative easing (Q3) should economic conditions worsen.
He indicated policy-setters still have tools they can use to provide further monetary stimulus, but nevertheless he did not offer details or signal when they might be activated.