Social Psychophysiology

In this course, we will delve into the field of social psychophysiology,

which explores the relationships between human social behaviors and

physiological events. We will cover the foundations of a range of

physiological measures that are commonly applied in the context of social

psychophysiological research. This will include basic hands-on lab training.

The course will focus on the topics of electroencephalography and eventrelated

potentials, facial electromyography, and electrodermal activity in

the role of measures used to complement social psychological research.

Essential background on the physiological bases of every measure and

principles of recording will be combined with the discussion of examples

of empirical studies relying on the measure or a combination of measures

to investigate social psychological phenomena, for instance stereotyping

or prejudice. The lab sessions will concentrate on the practical side of

interaction with participants, lab organization and equipment,

preparation of experimental setups, and data acquisition, processing, and

analysis.

Pizzagalli, D. A. (2007). Electroencephalography and high-density

electrophysiological source localization. In J. T. Cacioppo, L. G. Tassinary, &

G. G. Berntson, (Eds.). Handbook of psychophysiology (3rd ed.; pp. 56-

84). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Fabiani, M., Gratton, G., & Federmeier, K. D. (2007). Event-related brain

potentials: Methods, theory, and applications. In J. T. Cacioppo, L.

G. Tassinary, & G. G. Berntson, (Eds.). Handbook of psychophysiology (3rd ed.;

pp. 85-119). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Physiological basis of facial muscles’ and electrodermal activity.

Tassinary, L. G., Cacioppo, J. T., & Vanman, E. J. (2007).

The skeletomotor system: Surface electromyography. In J. T. Cacioppo, L.

G. Tassinary, & G. G. Berntson, (Eds.), Handbook of psychophysiology

y(3rd ed.; pp. 267-299). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Dawson, M. E., Schell, A. M., & Filion, D. L. (2007). The electrodermal system. In J.

T. Cacioppo, L. G. Tassinary, & G. G. Berntson (Eds.), Handbook of

psychophysiology (3rd ed.; pp. 159-181). Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press.

Main background readings:

Fridlund, A. J., & Cacioppo, J. T. (1986). Guidelines for human electromyographic

research. Psychophysiology, 23, 567-589.

Boucsein, W., Fowles, D. C., Grimnes, S., Ben-Shakhar, G., Roth, W. T., Dawson,

M. E., & Filion, D., L. (2012). Publication recommendations for electrodermal

measurements. Psychophysiology, 49, 1017-1034.

1) Knowledge of the most widely-used psychophysiological

measures

2) Ability to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of

employing the measures in research

3) Basic competence to incorporate the measures into own research

The final grade depends on:

- Two quizzes (Classes 2 & 4): 20 points

- Two group presentations (Classes 3 & 5): 30 points

- Individual research project: 50 points

All assignments will be discussed in detail during Class 1.

Classes 2 and 4 will start with a short quiz (10 multiple-choice questions)

based on the obligatory readings.

For Classes 3 and 5 students are required to prepare short oral

presentations. This is a group assignment, with 3 or max. 4 students per

group. The presentation should be about 15 minutes long and based on

the assigned article. The articles will be available on the course’s web site

two weeks prior to Class 1 and distributed among groups during Class 1.

Every member of each group should present a portion of the article.

Individual research projects will be focused on the application of the

psychophysiological methods covered throughout the course. In

particular, the research project should include: a) relevant theoretical

background, b) research aim and expected contribution, c) research

questions and hypotheses, d) operational definitions of the constructs

and proposition of their measurement – application of ERPs/fEMG/ EDA

(one or in combination, also with other methods if needed), e) design of

the study, f) ethical considerations. You do not have to actually run the

proposed study – just describe it.

The research project should be between 4 and 6 pages long, excluding

title page and the References section. It should be written in Times New

Roman font size 12, double-spaced. Please adhere to APA guidelines:

American Psychological Association (2010). Publication Manual of the

American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American

Psychological Association.

The project should be submitted both electronically via e-mail and as a

print-out one week after last seminar (at noon). Late submissions will not

be accepted and will result in losing all points for the assignment.

Attendance rules

Attendance is obligatory. No more than two unexcused absences are

allowed.

There is no way to make up for the points lost due to the absence during

quizzes, student presentations, or late submission of the research project.