Perry et. al. (2015) (Personal Space) Flashcards
What was the aim of the study?
To investigate the effect of oxytocin on preferred interpersonal distance for individuals with high or low empathy traits.
What were the research hypotheses?
- Oxytocin administration affects preferred interpersonal distance depending on empathy level. 2. High-empathy individuals prefer closer distances, while low-empathy individuals prefer greater distances.
What is the Social Salience Hypothesis (SSH)?
SSH states that oxytocin increases attention to social cues, leading individuals to interpret and respond differently based on the situation.
What brain structure is involved in preferred interpersonal distance?
The amygdala influences interpersonal distance, with lesions reducing the need for space.
How does oxytocin affect the amygdala?
Oxytocin affects amygdala activity, influencing how people respond to personal space invasions.
What was the sample size and characteristics?
56 male undergraduates (ages 19-32) from the University of Haifa, recruited via volunteer sampling.
What research method was used?
Two laboratory experiments with a repeated measures design and randomization.
What were the independent variables?
- Participants’ level of empathy (high or low). 2. Whether participants received oxytocin or a placebo (saline solution).
What was the dependent variable?
The effect of oxytocin on participants’ preferred interpersonal distance based on empathy level.
How was empathy categorized?
Participants completed the 28-item Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI); high empathy scores were ≥40, low empathy scores were ≤33.
What technique was used to prevent bias?
A double-blind technique ensured neither participants nor experimenters knew whether oxytocin or placebo was administered.
What was the procedure for oxytocin administration?
Participants received either oxytocin or placebo via nasal spray in a random order over two weeks, with a 45-minute wait before tasks.
What was Experiment 1 about?
The Comfortable Interpersonal Distance (CID) paradigm measured participants’ preferred interpersonal distance from different people and objects.
How was interpersonal distance measured in Experiment 1?
Participants viewed animations of figures approaching and pressed the spacebar when they wanted them to stop, assigning a percentage score for distance.
What were the key findings of Experiment 1?
- High-empathy participants preferred closer distances after oxytocin. 2. Low-empathy participants preferred greater distances after oxytocin.
What was Experiment 2 about?
A computer-based ‘Choosing Rooms’ task where participants selected chair distances and angles for a conversation setup.
What were the findings of Experiment 2?
High-empathy participants chose closer chair distances after oxytocin, while low-empathy participants increased distance.
What controls were implemented in the study?
- Double-blind technique. 2. Counterbalancing. 3. Standardized procedures, including identical animations and fixation points.
What was concluded from the study?
Oxytocin affects preferred interpersonal distance based on empathy level, decreasing it for high-empathy individuals and increasing it for low-empathy individuals.
What ethical considerations were followed?
Participants gave informed consent and were debriefed after the study.
What ethical concerns were present?
Participants were deceived in Experiment 2 about discussing a personal topic, potentially causing anxiety.
What was a strength of the study regarding bias reduction?
The double-blind technique reduced experimenter bias and demand characteristics, increasing validity.
What was a strength related to data collection?
Quantitative data allowed for objective comparison of results across conditions.
What was a weakness related to self-report measures?
Participants may have exaggerated their empathy scores due to social desirability bias, affecting group classification.
