A researcher suggests that the effect of the testing condition on the affiliation ratings is caused by increased sympathetic nervous system activity due to performing a repetitive behavior. Is this explanation likely to be supported?
Social Studies · High School · Sun Jan 24 2021
Answered on
The suggested explanation provided by the researcher is a hypothesis that can be either supported or not based on further experimental evidence or existing scientific knowledge regarding the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and its effects on behavior and physiological responses.
The researcher seems to be suggesting a causal relationship between the testing condition (performing repetitive behavior) and the level of affiliation ratings due to increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system.
To evaluate this hypothesis, one would need to test whether performing repetitive behavior indeed correlates with heightened SNS activity, and then whether this increased SNS activity correlates with changes in affiliation ratings. Here are the logical steps a scientist might take to test this hypothesis:
1. Measure sympathetic nervous system activity both before and after participants perform a repetitive behavior in a controlled setting to establish a correlation.
2. Measure affiliation ratings using a validated scale before and after performing the repetitive behavior to establish a correlation there as well.
3. Analyze the data to determine if there is a statistically significant relationship between SNS activity and affiliation ratings after performing repetitive behavior.
4. Rule out alternative explanations for changes in affiliation ratings, such as stress, boredom, or other emotional responses to the task that might affect SNS activity.
5. If possible, conduct experimental manipulations where SNS activity is altered (e.g., through biofeedback or pharmacologically) to see if this changes affiliation ratings in the absence of the repetitive behavior.
6. Finally, peer review and replication of the findings would be necessary to establish the validity and reliability of the hypothesis.
If evidence supports all these links, then the researcher's explanation may indeed be likely to be supported. However, it's also critical to note that correlation does not imply causation, and multiple factors could influence both SNS activity and affiliation.