CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology, History
Minor
French
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Computer Science
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. St. Peters; Dr. Tennyson
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Snake Detection Theory states that there is an innate evolutionary advantage to respond to snake stimuli stronger and faster than non-snake stimuli. This theory has been supported by studies measuring brain activity in infants looking at images of snakes (Bertels et al., 2020), reactions in wild monkeys and marmosets (Wombolt & Caine, 2016; Isbell & Etings, 2017; Van Strien et al, 2016; Dinh et al., 2021), and in peripheral attention tasks in adults (Kawai & He, 2016; Kawai & Qui, 2020; Gallup & Meyers, 2021). Also, over 53% of UK citizens report anxiety around snakes, and it is one of the most common animal-specific phobias (Davey, 1994). The current study uses a video game to explore the psychological and physiological responses when interacting with a snake and non-snake “boss”. Conditions are counterbalanced, and heart rate variability, blood pressure, reaction time, and breadth of attention are measured. This study will provide insight into whether a physiological response to snake stimuli is evident in video-gaming, and whether it is independent of self-reported emotions. Such research provides a deeper understanding of the biomechanics and emotions associated with snakes, which have broad ranging applications from gaming design to research on phobias.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Simply Snake Sprites and Sounds: Snake Detection Theory in Video Games
Snake Detection Theory states that there is an innate evolutionary advantage to respond to snake stimuli stronger and faster than non-snake stimuli. This theory has been supported by studies measuring brain activity in infants looking at images of snakes (Bertels et al., 2020), reactions in wild monkeys and marmosets (Wombolt & Caine, 2016; Isbell & Etings, 2017; Van Strien et al, 2016; Dinh et al., 2021), and in peripheral attention tasks in adults (Kawai & He, 2016; Kawai & Qui, 2020; Gallup & Meyers, 2021). Also, over 53% of UK citizens report anxiety around snakes, and it is one of the most common animal-specific phobias (Davey, 1994). The current study uses a video game to explore the psychological and physiological responses when interacting with a snake and non-snake “boss”. Conditions are counterbalanced, and heart rate variability, blood pressure, reaction time, and breadth of attention are measured. This study will provide insight into whether a physiological response to snake stimuli is evident in video-gaming, and whether it is independent of self-reported emotions. Such research provides a deeper understanding of the biomechanics and emotions associated with snakes, which have broad ranging applications from gaming design to research on phobias.