PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Study title: Anticipating Affective Consequences in Social Interactions

Dr. Vanessa Mitschke & Alperen Doganer
Georg-Elias-Müller-Institute for Psychology
University of Göttingen
Goßlerstr. 14, 37073 Göttingen

About the study

Thank you for your interest in our study.

This study is conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Cognition, Emotion and Behavior at the University of Göttingen. We investigate how perception, behavior, and emotional reactions are influenced by expectations about other people during social interactions. The study consists of a single laboratory session lasting approximately one hour, including preparation and follow-up.

During the experiment, you will see faces of different individuals and perform an approach–avoidance task. You will be asked to move a figure either toward or away from the depicted person. Your responses and reaction times will be recorded. We will also measure facial muscle activity using electromyography (EMG).

Facial EMG

EMG is a non-invasive method for measuring the natural electrical activity of muscles. Small electrodes will be attached to the skin of your face. To obtain a reliable recording, the skin at the electrode sites will be gently prepared and cleaned with alcohol. The electrodes are attached using medical-grade adhesive. Temporary redness or mild skin irritation may occur, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin. This should normally disappear within a few hours.

Voluntary participation

Participation in the study is entirely voluntary. You may discontinue the laboratory session at any time without giving a reason and without any negative consequences. Before the experiment begins, you will receive the full participant information and consent form and will be asked to provide informed consent.

Eligibility screening

The following short screening contains a small number of questions to determine whether you are eligible to participate in the study. The information you provide during this screening is used only to determine eligibility and is not included in the analysis of the experimental research data.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be redirected to a scheduling page where you can select an appointment for the laboratory session.

Continue to the eligibility screening

Please confirm that you have read and understood the information above.