| 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. |
