Hypothesis of the study
Physiological arousal
- No immetdiate explanation, interpret this state in terms of the cognitions available
- An adequate explanation, nothing
Aim of the study
To investigate the interaction between physiological responses and cognitive processes when experiencing an emotion (two factor theory of emotion)
Sample of the study
- 184 male college students
- Introductory psychology
- Minnesota University
- Extra points in participating
Method of the study
Lab experiment
Design of the study
Independent measure design
IV & DV of the study
IV1 : Adrenaline - informed : Side effect
IV2 : Adrenaline - ignorant : No side effect
IV3 : Adrenaline - misinformed : Falsely said (Headache, itching, numbness
IV4 : Placebo - Nothing
Situational : Euphoria & Anger condition
DV1 : Standardised behaviour
- One way mirror, two trained researchers, made notes on participants behaviour
1) Ps follow stooge behaviour
2) Initiated new games
3) Ignored the stooge
4) Watch the stooge
DV2 : Self report questionnaires
1) How irritated, angry or annoyed?
2) How happy or good?
Scale : 0 - 4
Procedure
- Ps consented to ps in the expt, given course credits for taking part
- Ps were randomly allocated to the various conditions
- Each ps were tested individually
Results of the study
The happiest group : Adrenaline - misinformed
The least happy group : Adrenaline - informed
Conclusion
The findings supported the general hypothesis (two factor theory of emotion)
Individuals label their emotions state according to available cognitions, if there is no other immediate explanatio. This does not happen if there is immediate explanation
E.g Info abt the effect of the injection
