FREEMAN ET AL (2003) - RESULTS

Question 1

What is the main result of the study? (in terms of persecutory thoughts)

Answer 1

• Most ppts had positive opinions about the avatars.
• But some had persecutory thoughts. e.g for the item: “They were talking about me behind my back”
• 11 ppts DID NOT agree
• 8 Agreed A LITTLE.
• 3 Agreed MODERATLEY
• 2 Agreed TOTALTY

LMT

Question 2

Was there a correlation between the paranoia questionnaire and paranoia interview?

Answer 2

• There was a significant correlation between scores on the paranoia questionnaire and the interview paranoia score.

Question 3

What did the study find in terms of gender differences?

Answer 3

• No signficant differences in the persecution scores between males and females.

(or thoes who did the questionnaire before or after the VR experience)

Question 4

What was the main correlational result of the study?

Answer 4

• Paranoia scores did NOT strongly predict/ correlate with experiencing persecutory thoughts about the avatars).

paranoia did not correlate with persecutory thoughts.

Question 5

Higher levels of which 2 emotions correlated with persecutory thoughts?

Answer 5

• Interpersonal sensitivity.
• Anxiety.

Question 6

What did Freeman et al (2003) conclude? (2)

Answer 6

1. Ppl do attribute mental states towards VR characters. Although, usually positive, they can be persecutory in nature.
2. High levels of interpersonal sensitvity and anxiety may predict persecutory ideation.