Topic: Arousal Theory
Chapter: 9
Article Full Title: A Test of the Optimal Level of Arousal Theory
Article Authors: Edward N. Carrol, Marvin Zuckerman, and Wolfgang H. Vogel
Article Publish Date: 1982
What were the main ideas in the article? Does the information in the text book and the article relate well as one idea? How so, explain?
One of the main ideas in A Test of the Optimal Level of Arousal Theory is that according to the Arousal Theory, high-sensation seekers function better than low-sensation seekers under increased arousal, and low-sensation seekers perform better than highs when under decreased arousal (Carrol, Zuckerman, and Vogel, 1982). Carrol et al. (1982) explained through research that high-sensation seekers function better than low-sensation seekers in activities that require high arousal, including physical risk-taking, trying novel foods, and participating in experiments that provide risky experiences according to the Arousal Theory and validity studies. Low-sensation seekers, however, function better in activities that have decreased arousal, such as relaxing and reading books (Carrol et al., 1982). The other main idea in A Test of the Optimal Level of Arousal Theory is that novelty, variety, and complexity are key stimulus properties for high-sensation seekers because they can increase arousal in the nervous system (Carrol et al., 1982). Carrol et al. (1982) explained that according to validity studies, high-sensation seekers look for activities that are complex, have novelty, and have variety because they provide the most excitement and arousal stimulation for high-sensation seekers. The more exciting and riskier the activity is, the more arousal the person is going to get and can perform and function well under those conditions (Carrol et al., 1982). The information in the Psychology in Everyday Life and A Test of the Optimal Level of Arousal Theory relates well as one idea because in Psychology in Everyday Life, Myers and DeWall (2017) explain how some people, like mountain climber Mallory, are more likely to participate in risky activities because they enjoy high arousal and others are likely to go for less risky activities because they enjoy low arousal. Myers and DeWall (2017) also write about how humans are constantly searching for activities that provide them optimal arousal to meet their biological needs. Psychology in Everyday Life and A Test of the Optimal Level of Arousal Theory address how humans seek activities with different arousal levels to keep themselves satisfied and be able to function and perform those activities because they reached optimal arousal, whether it is increased arousal for high-sensation seekers or decreased arousal for low-sensation seekers (Myers & DeWall, 2017) (Carrol et al., 1982).
Why was the research conducted- what was goal/s of the research?
The goal of the research was to test the predictions of the arousal theory that high-sensation seekers function better under high arousal conditions than low-sensation seekers, and that low-sensation seekers function better than highs under low arousal conditions (Carrol et al., 1982). Carrol et al. (1982) wanted to either prove or disprove the predictions that high-sensation seekers function better under high arousal conditions and low-sensation seekers function better under low arousal conditions.
When was the research conducted? Was it over a long period of time, or just a few days or weeks? (Don’t guess, the publication or submit date is not when the research was conducted).
The research was conducted in 1979 where the participants were tested one day a week for four consecutive weeks (Carrol et al., 1982).
Where was the research conducted? (Don’t guess, if you cannot read exactly where the research was conducted, choose a different article).
The research was conducted at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Who conducted the research? (Researchers names—NOT who wrote the article). Did the text book mention the same researcher name/s?
The main researcher was Zuckerman, the supporting researchers/authors of A Test of the Optimal Level of Arousal Theory were Carrol &Vogel, and the experimenter who helped with the research was Musacchio. The researcher, Zuckerman, was mentioned in Psychology in Everyday Life when Myers and DeWall (2017) wrote about how people, like G Mallory, who love high arousal are more likely to engage in risk-taken behavior, which was an idea paraphrased from one of Zuckermans books.
The type of research conducted in the experiment was ____________? What did you learn about this type of research that was conducted?
The first part of the research was a survey, and the rest of the research was experimentation. In Psychology in Everyday Life, one can see that a survey is a type of a descriptive technique research that involves having other people report on their own attitudes and behavior about a specific subject through a questionnaire. It is mostly used on a large population of people and is an efficient way of collecting data from a large population. It can also be used to determine which person or persons can participate in an experiment or research (Myers & DeWall, 2017). Also, one can see that experimentation involves manipulating one factor in a situation, while limiting other variables that could change the factor, to determine whether the factor has a specific effect or not. Experimentation is where a non-manipulated test is conducted on the participants first to take any confounding variables into consideration and to try to limit them as much as possible (Myers & DeWall, 2017). Then a manipulated test is performed, such as administering drugs, to determine what kind of effect it has on the people involved in the experiment (Carrol et al., 1982).
How was the experiment conducted? (Brief discussion of methods and how the actual experiment was carried out). Do not repeat responses given for other questions
According to Carrol et al (1982), participants were first selected out of a large population of people through a survey on the Sensation Seeking Scale, Form V. Participants who placed either top or bottom of the scale were selected to join the experiment, whether they seek high arousal or low arousal. Then, the participants become involved in a four-section experiment. The first section involves the participants getting comfortable with the laboratory and obtain weight measurements, and no drugs were given in this section. The next three sections involve the participants receiving three drugs: placebo, a stimulant, and depressant in a double-blind procedure. Before drugs are given, each participant underwent several tests. They first provided a urine sample to prove they were drug free. Then, they had their blood pressure and heart rate recorded, and went through other measurement tests including the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List which contained scales for anxiety, depression, and hostility states; the Zuckerman Inventory of Personal Reactions which contained scales for fear arousal, sadness, aggression, positive effect, and attentiveness-coping while other factors are deprived; Neary-Zuckerman Sensation Seeking and Anxiety States Test; Digit Symbol Substitution; Finger Tapping Test and finally pursuit rotor tracking. The high-sensation seeking group and low-sensation seeking group were given equal numbers of drug treatments and tests. Each participant was given each of the drugs, one drug per session, and each drug was in an identical capsule and had its dosage adjusted according to the subjects weight. A two-hour rest period followed after the participants took the drug. After the rest, the participants underwent the same measurement tests again but with the addition of another test called the Subjective Appraisal Test, where the subjects were asked to identify the drug they received, rate the drug on a scale of one to seven on enjoyment, and whether they would like to take part in the treatment again (Carrol et al., 1982).
How expensive was the experiment? Were participants paid or compensated, how much
Based on the equipment used in the experiment and with nurses and other workers who took part in the research, the experiment was not very expensive, costing around $2,000 to $4,000. All of the participants involved in the experiment volunteered freely; they were not paid while participating in the experiment (Carrol et al., 1982).
How many participants participated in the experiment? What was the population/ages?
According to Carrol et al. (1982), there were thirty-two males who participated in the experiment on a volunteer basis. They were between the ages of 20 and 29 from a population of medical students at Thomas Jefferson University (Carrol et al., 1982).
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