openHSU – Research Showcase

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  • Publication
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    Electrophysiological correlates of proportion congruency manipulation in a temporal flanker task
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2022-05-15)
    Jost, Kerstin
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    Wendt, Mike
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    Response conflict evoked by a distractor stimulus object in interference tasks is associated with longer reaction times and a pronounced ERP component referred to as the fronto‐central N2. Increasing the proportion congruency (PC, i.e., the proportion of trials in which target and distractor are associated with the same response) is assumed to enhance distractor‐evoked conflict via defocusing of attention. Findings concerning the effect of the PC on the N2 in Eriksen flanker task experiments have been inconsistent, however, lending little support to the notion that the N2 reflects a conflict monitoring process. Here, we analyze the N2 in a temporal flanker task, in which the distractor stimuli, presented in advance of the target, elicit pronounced activation of the associated responses (as inferred from the lateralized readiness potential) when the PC is high. Consistent with result pattern obtained in other tasks involving successive presentation of the distractor and the target, conflict trials in a high‐PC condition evoked a particularly large N2. These findings accord with the assumption that the N2 reflects either conflict monitoring or conflict‐induced regulatory measures (i.e., reactive control). In light of the discrepancy of results obtained under conditions of simultaneous and successive distractor–target presentation, we speculate that the N2 is pronounced in situations that offer strong hints for classifying dominating response activation as incorrect, possibly reflecting particular control to counter this activation. Additional properties of the temporal flanker task, related to ERP investigations, are discussed.
  • Publication
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    Smooth and hard or beautiful and elegant?
    (Sage Publications, 2022-05-20) ;
    The present study’s aim was to examine whether interindividual differences in levels of expertise influence the aesthetic processing of materials. In particular, we elucidated experts’ conceptual structure of the aesthetics of different materials using a free list task and compared it to recent non-expert data. To this end, we asked 401 architects, designers, and interior designers to list adjectives that could be used to describe the aesthetics of materials. The experts listed a large number of sensorial as well as aesthetically evaluative terms. As measured in a supplementary study, a slight majority of the listed terms had a neutral valence, followed by a large proportion of positive terms. The term beautiful, frequently the preeminent term in aesthetics, was by no means one of the most relevant terms in both studies. The results suggest that the conceptual structure of the aesthetics of materials is multifaceted and expressive, and, to some extent, influenced by expertise. Furthermore, the findings indicate that concepts underlying materials aesthetics differ from other domains.
  • Publication
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    A system for describing mechanisms underlying the congruency sequence effect or the proportion congruency effect
    (Elsevier, 2022-08-29) ;
    Wendt, Mike
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    ;
    The congruency sequence effect (CSE) and the proportion congruency effect (PCE) are typical findings in experimental conflict protocols. Given the ever-increasing number of, in part, radically different mechanisms proposed to explain either effect, a unified system for describing candidate mechanisms appears desirable. In this article, we show that such a system can be derived by focusing on functional similarities among all mechanisms capable of explaining either effect. The latter perspective reveals the adaptive dynamic that all such mechanisms share. This shared dynamic allows describing each mechanism by addressing the same questions about how this dynamic is implemented. We contend that this description system facilitates comparisons between mechanisms, and relating the discourse on the CSE and PCE to other lines of discourse. First, we introduce the adaptive dynamic and the questions about its implementation. Then, we answer these questions for exemplary cases. Finally, we discuss the utility of the proposed system.
  • Publication
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    Attentional adjustment in priming tasks
    (Springer, 2022-12-20) ;
    Wendt, Mike
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    Goal-directed behavior is assumed to require processes of attentional biasing to counter unwanted action tendencies elicited by distracting stimulus information. This is particularly so if stimulus categories that define the target and the distractor frequently reverse, requiring participants to respond to previously ignored stimulus categories and vice versa. In the current study, we investigated control strategies under such conditions. Specifically, we assessed trial-to-trial modulation of distractor-interference (i.e., congruency sequence effect, CSE) in a temporal flanker task associated with repetition versus alternation of the assignment of stimulus category (i.e., digits, letters) to targets and distractors (i.e., the character presented second or first, respectively) under conditions of a long SOA of 1000 ms (Experiment 1A) and 1200 ms (Experiment 1B). Whereas previous research, using a shorter SOA, suggested temporal-order control (i.e., the occurrence of a CSE in both repetition and—albeit less pronounced—alternation trials), lengthening the distractor-target SOA resulted in a CSE confined to repetition trials, suggesting strong or exclusive reliance on stimulus categories for attentional control (Experiment 1A and B). Adding a redundant stimulus feature (i.e., color), discriminating targets and distractors, eliminated the difference of CSE patterns in repetition and alternation trials (Experiment 2). Together, our results suggest that the strength of concurrently applied control strategies or the choice of a particular control strategy depend on contextual factors.
  • Publication
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    Looking at life through rose-colored glasses
    (Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2022-05-01)
    Weigand, Rosalie
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    Individuals with a tendency to experience more positive affect have been shown to preferentially attend to positive stimuli. Anecdotal evidence even holds that individuals perceive more beauty when positive affect prevails. In two studies, we investigated the role of dispositional affect in predicting the frequency and intensity of aesthetic experiences. In Study 1, we examined experience sampling method (ESM) data on 99 students’ aesthetic experiences. In Study 2, we used an intensive ESM investigation over the course of two weeks to collect data on aesthetic emotions (N = 97), and then associated the ESM data with dispositional affect questionnaires. The results of both studies showed a positive association between dispositional positive affect and the intensity of aesthetic experiences. However, dispositional affect and the frequency of aesthetic experiences were found to be unrelated. These findings suggest that dispositional affect does not predict how much beauty we see, but rather how much we enjoy it.
  • Publication
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    Smooth as glass and hard as stone?
    (American Psychological Association, 2023-10) ;
    Wagner, Valentin
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    Following Fechner’s (1876) “aesthetics from below,” this study examines the conceptual structure of the aesthetics of various materials (Werkstoffe)—for instance, leather, metal, and wood. Adopting a technique used by Jacobsen et al. (2004), we asked 1,956 students to write down adjectives that could be used to describe the aesthetics of materials within a given time limit. A second subsample of a broader cross-section of the population (n = 496) replicated the findings obtained with the first subsample. A joint analysis of both subsamples identified the term “smooth” as by far the most relevant term, followed by the other core terms “hard,” “rough,” “soft,” and “glossy.” Furthermore, sensorial qualities (e.g., “warm” and “see-through”) constituted the main elements of the aesthetics of materials, and the great majority of these were haptic qualities (e.g., “cold” and “heavy”). The terms offered were mostly descriptive and of rather neutral valence, according to an additional valence rating study that we conducted with 94 participants. Comparisons between the terms offered for different materials revealed commonalities as well as material specificity of the conceptual structure of the aesthetics. In addition, the word “beautiful,” although by no means representing one of the most relevant terms in this study, still proved its preeminence in aesthetics in general. The results of this study contribute to the corpus of existing studies of the conceptual structure of aesthetics
  • Publication
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    Beauty lies in the eye of the mindful
    (American Psychological Association, 2023-12-14)
    Weigand, Rosalie
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    Aesthetic experiences often go hand-in-hand with demands on working memory because they require maintaining an attentional focus while at the same time integrating context, memory, and sensory qualities. This enhances the processing of aesthetic attributes, leading to higher engagement and pleasure. Conditions that deplete working memory resources have been shown to be associated with a reduced intensity of aesthetic experiences. In turn, dispositional mindfulness as well as mindfulness training have been found to be associated with better working memory capacity (WMC). In this study, we investigated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and aesthetic experiences and examined whether people with higher levels of dispositional mindfulness had more intense experiences after a brief mindfulness intervention. We also investigated whether the effect would be mediated by WMC. Participants performed self-reports on their dispositional mindfulness and underwent a brief mindfulness intervention. Afterward, they performed an aesthetic judgment task. WMC was assessed at the baseline and after the investigation. The observing facet of dispositional mindfulness was positively related to aesthetic savoring. We found no mediating effect of WMC. However, individuals who improved on the working memory task rated the pictures more beautiful. The results may provide important evidence for helping individuals benefit more from the positive effects of their aesthetic experiences.
  • Publication
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    Body alteration
    (Sage Publications, 2024-03-28) ;
    Mühlenbeck, Cordelia
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    Decorating the body as well as (semi-)permanent bodily modifications are a longstanding human practice, together with spending a great amount of time and effort on such body alterations. The present article reviews the mental functions of body-altering behavior. The primary aim is to identify and elucidate the predominant mental function underpinning these body alterations. Following several guidelines for reviews, we synthesized the literature, including several categories of body-altering entities from different eras. We argue that there are two crucial commonalities for individuals engaging in body-altering behavior that comprise the mental functions for doing so: aesthetics and group affiliation (dynamics), including the latter’s subfunctions of supporting individuality, resistance, personal narrative, physical endurance, and sexual motivation. Incorporating the existing literature, we find that aesthetic motivation takes precedence over group affiliation, thereby establishing aesthetics as the primary mental function of body-altering behavior; factors substantiating this conclusion are explored in detail within the article.
  • Publication
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    Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training versus stretching do not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to a social stress test in emotionally impulsive humans
    (Springer, 2024-05-06)
    Javelle, F.
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    Bloch, W.
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    Borges, U.
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    Burberg, T.
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    Collins, B.
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    Gunasekara, N.
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    Laborde, S.
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    Schenk, A.
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    Schlagheck, M. L.
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    Schoser, D.
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    Vogel, A.
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    Walzik, D.
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    Zimmer, P.
    Purpose: Research supports physical activity as a method to heighten stress resistance and resilience through positive metabolic alterations mostly affecting the neuroendocrine system. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a highly effective time-saving method to induce those changes. However, existing literature relies heavily on cross-sectional analyses, with few randomised controlled trials highlighting the necessity for more exercise interventions. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of HIIT versus an active control group on the stress response to an acute psychosocial stressor in emotionally impulsive humans (suggested as being strong stress responders). Methods: The study protocol was registered online (DRKS00016589) before data collection. Sedentary, emotionally impulsive adults (30.69 ± 8.20 y) were recruited for a supervised intervention of 8 weeks and randomly allocated to either a HIIT (n = 25) or a stretching group (n = 19, acting as active controls). Participants were submitted to a test battery, including saliva samples, questionnaires (self-efficacy- and perceived stress-related), visual analogue scales (physical exercise- and stress-related), and resting electroencephalography and electrocardiography assessing their reaction to an acute psychological stressor (Trier Social Stress Test) before and after the exercise intervention. Results: HIIT increased aerobic fitness in all participants, whereas stretching did not. Participants from the HIIT group reported perceiving exercising more intensively than those from the active control group (ƞp2 = 0.108, p = 0.038). No further group differences were detected. Both interventions largely increased levels of joy post-TSST (ƞp2 = 0.209, p = 0.003) whilst decreasing tension (ƞp2 = 0.262, p < 0.001) and worries (ƞp2 = 0.113, p = 0.037). Finally, both interventions largely increased perceived levels of general self-efficacy (ƞp2 = 0.120, p = 0.029). Conclusion: This study suggests that 8 weeks of HIIT does not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to an acute psychological stress test compared to an active control group in emotionally impulsive humans. Further replications of supervised exercise studies highly powered with active and passive controls are warranted.
  • Publication
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    Symposium: Experimentelle Aesthetik / Experimental Aesthetics II
    (Pabst Science Publishers, 2018) ;
    Hübner, Ronald