Method

• Aim

  • how oxytocin affects preferred interpersonal distance for those scoring high or low empathy traits
• Experiment 1. CID

  IV:

  • whether Ps received oxytocin nasal drops or placebo (saline solution): repeated measures - all Ps took part in both conditions
  • high or low empathy group
  • condition: stranger, friend, authority figure, or ball

   

  DV:

  • preferred interpersonal distance
  • Comfortable Interpersonal Distance (CID) paradigm (0 = both figures touching, 100 = the furthest distance)
• Experiment 2. Choosing rooms

  IV:

  • whether Ps received oxytocin nasal drops or placebo (saline solution): repeated measures - all Ps took part in both conditions
  • high or low empathy group
  • condition: positioning of chairs (experimental). positioning of table & plant (control)

   

  DV:

  • mean preferred cm distance 2 chairs
  • mean preferred angle 2 chairs
• Method:

  • 2x lab experiments: half P did Exp.1, half P did Exp.2
  • Questionnaire: IRI

   Methodology

  • randomised order of oxytocin/saline -> avoid order effects
  • On 2nd week, P received the other treatment
  • Double-blind - neither P nor E knew

  Empathy test

  • High or low empathy (IV) group
  • Operationalised "Internpersonal Reactivity Index" IRI: 28-item online questionnaire
  • Over 40: high empathy (n=20)
  • Under 33: low empathy (n=20)