Investigating HRV Synchronization and Early Life Adversity in Cooperative Decision-Making During An Investment Game

project start and end date: summer 2024 (May-September)

project title: Trusting Hearts study

candidates looked for: BA or MA students

short summary of the project:

This project investigates the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) synchronization and human behavior during investment games, aiming to comprehend the complex interplay of physiological responses and social dynamics.  Additionally, the study explores the dynamics of trust and cooperation while examining the impact of early life adversity (ELA).

Research question:

1. Is there a relationship between HRV synchronization and trust behavior/ subjective feelings during investment games?

2. How does HRV synchronization relate to physiological proximity vs. interpersonal interaction?

3. Does a history of ELA affect HRV synchronization and trust behavior during investment games?

Hypotheses (tentative / to be determined)

1. Higher levels of HRV synchronization will be positively associated with increased trust behavior in investment games, predicting successfull outcomes.

2. Individuals who interact with each other during the investment game will show higher HRV synchronization compared to not interacting and being only physiologically close.

3. Individuals with a history of ELA will demonstrate altered patterns of HRV synchronization during social interactions.

Operationalisation: to be determined, also in conjunction with the BA or MA candidates.

study population: number to be determined depending on the exact hypotheses, population most likely students recruited from campus

inclusion criteria: young and healthy

exclusion criteria: brain damage, cardiovascular disorders

independent variable: investment game to induce social decisions of (mis)trust

dependent variable: HRV synchronization, ELA 

timeline

- planning: 2 weeks

- recruitment: starting in may

- begin data acquisition: may

- Duration and number of testing sessions: each session lasts about one hour, number of sessions depend on the final research question

- end of data acquisition: about 6 weeks after begin

- processing of data: about 2 weeks

- analysis of data: about 2 weeks

- thesis writing: about 6 weeks

required competencies:

- interest in HRV and interpersonal HRV synchronization

- basic knowledge of social psychology experiments in the context of decision making

- basic computer skills

- basic knowledge of R is an asset

- willingness to work in a team

For further information please contact:  stella.wienhold@uni-konstanz.de