A Comparison between Physiological Measures and Self-Reports

In this study we want to investigate how our emotions can influence our performance on a variety of mathematical tasks. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether different emotional reactions (e.g., feeling calm, stressed, anxious) can be detected using different physiological measures (eye movements, heart rate, sweat gland activity and facial expressions), and to understand how they relate to performance on mathematical tasks.

This research is being conducted as part of funded project by the Centre of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University. The main investigators are Megan Foulkes, Christian Schons, and Hanna Weiers.

To participate in this study you must be a native English speaker, aged 18 years or above, who was educated in the UK. If you have studied mathematics beyond A-level (undergraduate or higher) then you will not be eligible to take part.

Additionally, due to measurements taken regarding eye movements, individuals who have bifocals, trifocals or progressive glasses lenses, contact lenses, or those who have undergone eye surgery or who have strabismus, will not be able to take part in this study. We also ask that individuals do not wear eye makeup when completing the study. If you do wear some, you may be asked to remove it if it interferes with the eye tracking device.  

Before the study, the researcher will ask you to fill out a series of questionnaires asking about your feelings towards mathematics, tests, and everyday life.

After completing the questionnaires, the researcher will assist you to put on Shimmer3 GSR on your non-dominant hand. This is the device that will measure your sweat gland activity. You will have two wires individually wrapped around your second and fourth finger, and one wire wrapped around your middle finger.

Once that is set up, you will be asked to sit in front of a lab-based computer to complete two tasks. One task will involve completing a series of mathematical problems. The mathematical problems will be shown in sets, and between each set we will ask you to report how you feel using a short questionnaire. This will happen multiple times throughout the study. The other task will involve completing a series of decisions about pairs of words, which will also be presented in sets and require you to report how you feel at regular intervals. Whilst completing each task, your eye movement, heart rate, sweat gland activity, and facial expressions will also be recorded.

The study will take between 45-minutes to 1 hour to complete.

After you have read this information and asked any questions you may have if you are happy to participate, we will ask you to complete an Informed Consent Form. However, if at any time, before, during or after the sessions you wish to withdraw from the study, please just contact the main investigator. You can withdraw at any time, for any reason and you will not be asked to explain your reasons for withdrawing.

However, once the results of the study are aggregated, it may not be possible to withdraw your individual data from the research.

You will be asked to attend one session as part of this study. This will take place in one of the testing laboratories at the Loughborough University main campus, and will be arranged via email correspondence if you decide to take part.

You will receive a £10 Amazon voucher for your time.

This study presents no immediate risks to your health and well-being. However, in the case that the study triggers any anxious thoughts, you can access this website for support (https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk).