Valins effect
In 1966, the psychologist Stuart Valins carried out an experiment on the perception of one's own degree of activation (known today as the Valins effect ). Valins modified the two-factor theory of emotion by Schachter and Singer. According to the Valins theory, it is not the actual physiological arousal or the sensation of arousal that is necessary for the emergence of emotions , but the cognitive representation (opinion) of one's own arousal is sufficient for the emergence of emotions.
experiment
In the experiment, Valins showed male test subjects ten pictures of attractive, half-naked women (then Playboy photos) in two rounds . Before the start of the experiment, the participants in the experimental group were connected to an apparatus that supposedly recorded their heartbeat. At the same time, the test subjects received simulated feedback on their heart rate via headphones. However, the falsified heart rhythm that was played through headphones was not his own. The experimenter determined in advance which photos had the heartbeat slowed down or increased. The perception of a reduced or increasing state of excitement should be simulated.
In the control group, the test subjects also heard the same noises when looking at the photos through headphones. However, they were presented by the experimenter as meaningless or disturbing background noise. At the end of the experiment, the test subjects were asked to rate the individual photos in a questionnaire according to their attractiveness (scale). In addition, the participants were able to select a few more photos to take home. The subsequent evaluation showed that there was a link between the change in heart rate and the attractiveness ratings. The perceived excitement of the test subjects (example: “My heart rate is increased, consequently this woman is attractive”) influenced the evaluation.
criticism
The Valins effect has since been checked several times. The investigations in different areas came to the same results. But there was also criticism because the Valins effect also occurred under other conditions. Further points of criticism were that the test subjects might have reacted to the so-called “ demand characteristics ” and that there may be differences in attention in the experimental or control group. Some critics criticized the emotion index. From their point of view, the attractiveness rating scale and the choice of images were questionable emotion indicators.
See also
literature
- Stuart Valins: Cognitive Effects of False Heart-Rate Feedback. In: Journal of Personality an Social Psychology 4: 400-408 (1966)
- Heinz Heckhausen : Motivation and Action , Springer Verlag, 2nd edition, p. 116 ff., ISBN 3540507469
- Wulf-Uwe Meyer, Rainer Reisenzein, Achim Schützwohl, Introduction to Emotional Psychology, Huber Psychology Textbook, ISBN 3456839863
Individual proof
- ↑ Meyer, Schützwahl & Reisenzein: Introduction to Emotional Psychology, Summary Volumes I and II, University of Würzburg, The Modification of the Two-Factor Theory by VALINS, p. 14 (PDF) ( Memento of the original from September 26, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
