Tonic respiratory sinus arrhythmia and trait affiliation: a test of the quadratic bagal activity-prosociality hypothesis

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Title Tonic respiratory sinus arrhythmia and trait affiliation: a test of the quadratic bagal activity-prosociality hypothesis
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Social & Behavioral Science
Department Psychology
Author Parkhurst, Kimberly A.
Date 2019
Description Researchers have long sought to identify biological systems relevant to individual differences in prosociality. Previous studies have identified vagus nerve activity as a potential correlate of prosocial behavior. While some findings have provided support for a positive, linear association between respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) - a common measure of vagal activity - and prosociality, others have demonstrated contradictory results. Consequently, researchers have proposed the quadratic vagal activity-prosociality hypothesis, in which moderate RSA predicts the greatest levels of prosocial traits, behaviors, and emotions. The purpose of this study is to test the quadratic vagal activity-prosociality hypothesis by examining the association between tonic RSA and prosocial traits in three samples. Regression analyses were used to assess linear and quadratic associations between resting RSA and trait affiliation, a facet of personality associated with prosociality, and results were then summarized utilizing meta-analytic techniques. Contrary to our hypothesis, the results provide no support for the quadratic vagal activity-prosociality hypothesis. Further research is needed to identify biological factors relevant to individual differences in prosocial traits.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management (c) Kimberly A. Parkhurst
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
ARK ark:/87278/s6mw96m8
Setname ir_etd
ID 1757558
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6mw96m8
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