Script and stimuli generously shared by Dr. Stephane Dandeneau. Thank you!
Last Modified: January 07, 2025 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements a Self-Esteem Conditioning Task by consistently pairing self-related words with happy facial expressions.
The implemented procedure is based on:
Baccus J.R., Baldwin M.W., & Packer D.J. (2004). Increasing Implicit Self-Esteem Through Classical Conditioning. Psychological Science, 15(7), 498-502.
5 minutes
Participants see a 2x2 matrix. A word is displayed in one of the 4 cells, belonging either to the 'self' or 'no-self' category. Participants are asked to click on the words as fast as possible. Upon selection of the word, the word is replaced by either a happy, a frowny or a neutral face picture for the duration of 400ms (default).
In the Experimental Condition, a word belonging to the 'self' category is always paired with a smile (=> conditioning), whereas a word belonging to the 'no-self' category is either paired with a frown or a neutral expression.
In the Control Condition, the pairings for 'self' words as well as 'no-self' words with facial expressions is randomly determined.
Participants are assigned to the Experimental vs. Control Condition by groupnumber. Odd groupnumbers -> Experimental Even groupnumbers -> Control
2 groups: experimental vs. control (assignment by groupnumber)
Experimental (odd groupnumbers): 240 trials total (order is randomized)
- 80 trials: pairings of 'self' words with smiley faces (self words selected with replacement)
- 80 trials: pairings of 'no-self' words with frowny faces (no-self words selected with replacement)
- 80 trials: pairings of 'no-self' words with neutral faces (no-self words selected with replacement)
quadrant position is sampled randomly with replacement
Control (even groupnumbers): 240 trials total (order is randomized)
- 80 trials: pairings of 'self' with either a smiley, a frowny or a neutral face (self words selected with replacement)
- 160 trials: pairings of 'no self' with either a smiley, a frowny or a neutral face (no-self words selected with replacement)
Across the 240 trials: facial expressions are selected randomly without replacement
(=> 80 trials per facial expression)
The face images are presented for 400ms (default) -> change under section Editable Parameters
see section Editable Stimuli
see section Editable Instructions
File Name: selfesteemconditioning_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| condition | 'experimental' vs 'control' |
| meanLatExperimental | Mean response latency (in ms) in experimental condition (if run) |
| meanLatControl | Mean response latency (in ms) in control condition (if run) |
| avgSpeed | Mean response latency in s |
File Name: selfesteemconditioning_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| blockCode | Name of the current block |
| blockNum | Number of the current block |
| trialCode | Name of the current trial |
| trialNum | Number of the current trial |
| condition | 'experimental' vs 'control' stimx |
| stimy | X/y coordinates of the target stimulus |
| stimulusItem | The presented stimuli in order of trial presentation |
| response | The participant's response |
| latency | The response latency (in ms) |
| meanLatExperimental | Mean response latency (in ms) in experimental condition (if run) |
| meanLatControl | Mean response latency (in ms) in control condition (if run) |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| picDuration | The presentation duration of the face pics in ms | 400ms |