perry et al Flashcards
What is interpersonal distance?
Interpersonal distance refers to the physical space individuals maintain between themselves and others during social interactions.
What is personal space?
Personal space is the invisible boundary surrounding a person, within which others are not usually allowed without causing discomfort.
What factors contribute to preferred personal space?
Factors include cultural norms, personality traits, situational context, emotional state, and past experiences.
What is empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
What are the two dimensions of empathy?
The two dimensions are cognitive empathy (understanding others’ perspectives) and emotional empathy (sharing others’ feelings).
What are social hormones?
Social hormones, like oxytocin and serotonin, are chemicals that influence social bonding and emotional connections.
How can social hormones affect bonding?
Social hormones can enhance trust, reduce stress, and promote feelings of closeness and affection in relationships.
What is the amygdala?
The amygdala is a brain structure involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and threat responses.
How does the amygdala correlate to personal space?
The amygdala plays a role in regulating personal space by detecting threats and triggering discomfort when boundaries are breached.
What is the social salience hypothesis?
This hypothesis suggests that the amygdala makes certain social cues more noticeable or important, influencing behavior and interpersonal interactions.
What is the aim of the Perry et al. study?
The study aimed to investigate the role of the amygdala and oxytocin in regulating personal space and interpersonal distance.
What was the research method and design of the study?
The study used an experimental method with a repeated-measures design.
What were the data collection techniques?
Techniques included behavioral observations, self-report questionnaires, and neuroimaging.
What was the independent variable of the study?
The independent variable was oxytocin administration versus placebo.
What was the dependent variable of the study?
The dependent variable was the measured interpersonal distance maintained by participants.
What was the sample size of the study?
the study involved approximately 4500 people
How was the questionnaire designed in the study?
The questionnaire assessed participants’ comfort levels with varying interpersonal distances and personal space preferences.
What were the standardized tests involved in the experiment?
Standardized testing included measures of social anxiety, empathy, and baseline personality assessments.
What was the third independent variable in the study?
A third variable may have included participants’ baseline amygdala activity or another contextual factor like anxiety levels.
What was the procedure for Experiment 1?
Participants were administered oxytocin or placebo and then measured for their preferred interpersonal distance in a controlled setting.
What was the procedure of Experiment 2?
Experiment 2 replicated the conditions with additional neuroimaging to observe amygdala activation during distance regulation tasks.
What controls were used in the study?
Controls included placebo groups, standardized interaction scenarios, and controlling for individual differences like age and gender.
Evaluate how ethical the study was (strengths and weaknesses).
Strengths: Informed consent, debriefing, minimal risk.
Weaknesses: Potential discomfort with interpersonal distance tasks and temporary side effects of oxytocin administration.
What were the results of Experiment 1?
Oxytocin reduced preferred interpersonal distance, suggesting it influences social bonding.
What were the results of Experiment 2?
Experiment 2 showed increased amygdala activity correlating with reduced personal space preferences under oxytocin influence.
What is the conclusion of the study?
The study concluded that oxytocin and the amygdala are integral to regulating personal space and interpersonal distance, with implications for social bonding.
What are the strengths of the study (brief pointers)?
Innovative use of neuroimaging.
Clear connection between biological mechanisms and social behavior.
Well-controlled experimental design.
What are the weaknesses of the study (brief pointers)?
Small sample size.
Limited generalizability.
Ethical concerns over oxytocin administration.
How is the study applicable to everyday life?
It provides insights into managing social anxiety, understanding autism spectrum disorders, and enhancing trust in therapeutic settings.
What side is the study on in the individual vs. situational debate?
The study leans towards the situational side by highlighting how external factors like oxytocin influence interpersonal behavior.
