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*REGULATORY FOCUS INDUCTION TASK*
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Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Date: 01-14-2013
last updated: 12-19-2019 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Script Copyright © 12-19-2019 Millisecond Software
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BACKGROUND INFO
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This script implements one regulatory focus induction task using "current ideals and oughts" to induce a
Promotion vs. Prevention regulatory state as described by Dr. E. T. Higgins:
Higgins Lab: http://higginsweb.psych.columbia.edu/research/
From the webpage:
"Regulatory focus theory posits two separate and independent self-regulatory orientations,
both fundamentally related to value motivation (i.e., achieving desired end-states):
Prevention [...], Promotion [...].
Regulatory focus is a state that can differ across individuals (chronic regulatory focus)
and situations (momentary regulatory focus). The regulatory focus strength measure and
regulatory focus questionnaire measure chronic regulatory focus. Momentary regulatory focus
can be primed or induced using the regulatory focus induction."
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TASK DESCRIPTION
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Participants are asked to enter 3 hopes or three duties for themselves.
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DURATION
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the default set-up of the script takes appr. 2 minutes to complete
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DATA FILE INFORMATION
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The default data stored in the data files are:
(1) Raw data file: 'regulatoryfocusinduction_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)
build: The specific Inquisit version used (the 'build') that was run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
date, time, date and time script was run
subject, group, with the current subject/groupnumber
script.sessionid: with the current session id
blockcode, blocknum: the name and number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable)
trialcode, trialnum: the name and number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable)
Note: trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run; even those
that do not store data to the data file such as feedback trials. Thus, trialnum
may not reflect the number of main trials run per block.
stimulusitem: the presented stimuli in order of trial presentation
response: the participant's response (scancode of response buttons)
correct: accuracy of response: 1 = correct response; 0 = otherwise
latency: the response latency (in ms); measured from: trial onset
(2) Summary data file: 'regulatoryfocusinduction_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
script.startdate: date script was run
script.starttime: time script was started
script.subjectid: assigned subject id number
script.groupid: assigned group id number
script.sessionid: assigned session id number
script.elapsedtime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script
script.completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted);
1 = script was completed (all conditions run)
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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
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Taken From the Higgins Lab:
"Current ideals or oughts (Freitas & Higgins, 2002)
Randomly assign half of participants to each condition. Participants should be blind to which condition they are in.
Within each condition, participants can be asked to list 1 goal or 3 goals.
Promotion:
Please think about something you ideally would like to do. In other words, think about a hope or aspiration
that you currently have. Please list the hope or aspiration below.
Prevention:
Please think about something you think you ought to do. In other words, think about a duty or obligation
that you currently have. Please list the duty or obligation below."
Reference: Freitas, A.L., & Higgins, E. T. (2002). Enjoying goal-directed action: The role of regulatory fit.
Psychological Science, 13, 1-6.
(Note: the remaining ways to induce Regulatory Focus as described by Higgins on his website can be implemented in a similar
fashion)
1. Assignment to Promotion Focus/ Prevention Focus done by groupnumber
2. number of goals by default is 3; can be changed under section EDITABLE PARAMETERS
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INSTRUCTIONS
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provided by Millisecond Software - can be edited under section Editable Instructions
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EDITABLE CODE
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check below for (relatively) easily editable parameters, stimuli, instructions etc.
Keep in mind that you can use this script as a template and therefore always "mess" with the entire code to further
customize your experiment.
The parameters you can change are:
/goalnumber: sets how many goals participants are supposed to list
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EDITABLE PARAMETERS: change editable parameters here
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/goalnumber = 3
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EDITABLE INSTRUCTIONS: change instructions here
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-
/1 = "<%values.counttrial%>: Please think about something you ideally would like to do. In other words, think about a hope or aspiration that you currently have.
Please list the hope or aspiration below."
/2 = "<%values.counttrial%>: Please think about something you think you ought to do. In other words, think about a duty or obligation that you currently have.
Please list the duty or obligation below."
/ items = ("Thank you!")
/ fontstyle = ("Arial", 8%, true, false, false, false, 5, 1)
/ position = (50%, 50%)
/ size = (80%, 80%)
/ vjustify = center
/ valign = center
/ halign = center
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!!!REMAINING CODE: Customize after careful consideration only!!!
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DEFAULTS
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script requires Inquisit 6.0.0.0 or higher
/canvasaspectratio = (4,3)
/minimumversion = "6.0.0.0"
/ fontstyle = ("Arial", 3%, false, false, false, false, 5, 1)
/txbgcolor = white
/ txcolor = (0, 0, 0)
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DATA
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Note: data file explanations under User Manual Information at the top
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raw data
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/ columns = (build, computer.platform, date, time, subject, group, script.sessionid, blockcode, blocknum,
trialcode, trialnum,
stimulusitem, response, latency)
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summary data
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/ columns = (computer.platform, script.startdate, script.starttime, script.subjectid, script.groupid, script.sessionid, script.elapsedtime,
script.completed)
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VALUES: automatically updated
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/selectinstructions: helper variable to determine correct instructions
/counttrial: helper variable to count strategy trials
/selectinstructions = 0
/counttrial = 0
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STIMULI
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/items = goaldescriptions
/position = (50%, 30%)
/ fontstyle = ("Arial", 3%, true, false, false, false, 5, 1)
/ txcolor = black
/select = values.selectinstructions
/ size = (80%, 30%)
/ hjustify = left
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TRIALS
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/ontrialbegin = [values.counttrial +=1]
/stimulusframes = [1 = goaldescription]
/ multiline = true
/charlimit = 500
/ size = (50%, 10%)
/position = (50%, 60%)
/required = true
/branch = [if (values.counttrial < parameters.goalnumber) openended.goal]
/ inputdevice = mouse
/ stimulusframes = [1 = finish, exitButton]
/ validresponse = (exitButton)
/ recorddata = false
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BLOCKS
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/onblockbegin = [values.selectinstructions = 1]
/trials = [1 = goal]
/onblockbegin = [values.selectinstructions = 2]
/trials = [1 = goal]
/ trials = [
1 = finish_mouse;
]
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EXPERIMENT
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Assignment to 2 between-subject conditions by groupnumber
/groups = (1 of 2)
/blocks = [
1 = promotion;
2 = finish;
]
/groups = (2 of 2)
/blocks = [
1 = prevention;
2 = finish;
]
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End of File
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