Consent form for participation in this online experiment

Study Information

Thank you for your interest in our study. Please read the following information carefully. Your participation in this research is voluntary. It is your choice whether to participate or not. Please do not hesitate to write to us at aswath.chandrasekaran@student.uni-tuebingen.de if you have any further questions regarding the study.

1. Purpose

This study aims to investigate human decision-making processes and their relationship with mental health.

2. Procedure

You will receive detailed instructions on how the task works, followed by a few questions to ensure you understand the task correctly. Next, you'll complete the full version of the task. Afterward, you'll complete questionnaires assessing personality, IQ, and various aspects of mental health. Your performance in the main task will affect your bonus payment. The entire study will take approximately 45 minutes.

3. Compensation

You will receive £6.75 for your participation. You can also earn a bonus of up to £6.75 depending on your performance in the task.

4. Data protection

Once we have awarded you your bonus payment, your Prolific ID will be deleted from the study data. The experiment data will be stored under a randomly assigned participant number on a server at the University of Tübingen. This means that it will become impossible to link the study data to you. All data collected during this study will be treated confidentially and all individuals with access to your personal data are obliged to maintain data secrecy. We are not responsible for the handling of your personal data through the Prolific platform.
The study data may also be made publicly accessible via research databases or scientific publications (typically via the internet). This makes it possible for other researchers to check or replicate the results and enhances the quality of scientific research. The study data may also be used for new research questions going beyond the purposes of this particular study. The data is stored anonymously, treated confidentially, and used only for scientific purposes. You are free to withdraw, in which case recorded data will not be used (cf. point 6).

5. Voluntary participation

Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. There will be no repercussions when canceling your participation.

6. Right to refuse or withdraw

You do not have to take part in this study if you do not wish to do so. You are free to withdraw your consent and do not need to provide a reason for your withdrawal. Participants who drop out of the study for any reason (e.g., technical issues) are eligible for full or partial compensation. Please contact aswath.chandrasekaran@student.uni-tuebingen.de and include a screenshot of the experiment website if possible. If you withdraw from the study before data collection is completed, your data will not be used. If you withdraw from the study after completing the study, but before bonus payments have been processed, you can request the deletion of your data. After the processing of bonus payments, your Prolific ID will be removed from the study data and it will be fully anonymized, making it not possible to link you with your data.

7. Risks

Your participation does not involve any physical or emotional risk to you. You are free to withdraw at any time.

8. Insurance coverage

Not necessary for participating in this study.

9. Responsible contact

If you have questions or if there are any problems, please contact aswath.chandrasekaran@student.uni-tuebingen.de. You can also use this email to request the withdrawal of your data.

Consent

By clicking on the button below, you agree to the following:

I have read and understood the conditions outlined above. I consent to participate in the study and agree to the collection, storage, and use of my data as described above.

You must be wearing headphones to do this HIT!

Level Calibration

First, set your computer volume to about 25% of maximum.

Press the button, then turn up the volume on your computer until the calibration noise is at a loud but comfortable level.

Press Continue when level calibration is complete.

When you hit Play, you will hear three sounds separated by silences.
Simply judge WHICH SOUND WAS SOFTEST (quietest) -- 1, 2, or 3?
Test sounds can only be played once!

FIRST sound was SOFTEST
SECOND sound was SOFTEST
THIRD sound was SOFTEST

Instructions

Your goal in this task is to choose the object you believe has the higher reward based on your observations from previous trials.
Each object has an associated reward in a fictional currency that changes after each round (e.g. ϐ, ϣ, ϙ, ϟ).
The exact reward for each object is unknown and can vary between trials. For instance, if the object has a reward of 50, you may receive 58,55,50,49,52,45,55,51,52,48 across 10 different trials.
On every round, you will be presented with six different objects and on every trial, two of the six objects will be randomly shown on the screen.
Your task is to choose the object you believe has the higher reward based on your observations from previous trials.
You can choose objects by pressing the left or right arrows on your keyboard
Select an object!

Instructions

Well done! You have won
After each selection, you will see the reward you received from the chosen object.
You will also see the reward you could have received from the unchosen object.
Remember, the fictional currency used for rewards will change after each round, so focus on the relative values rather than specific amounts.
When you are ready for Phase 2 instructions,

Instructions

In Phase 2, the rewards of all 6 objects remain the same as phase 1. However, each of these objects are now associated with some probability of a auditory “glitch”.
This means that when you choose one of these objects, you might encounter the glitch sometimes, but not every single time. You will have to learn which is which through trial and error.
Encountering this “audio glitch” however has no impact on the rewards that you will receive.

Instructions

Well done! You have come to the end of the tutorial. The total number of points earned in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be converted to a bonus payment that could potentially double your base payment.
At the end of the task, you will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires that would take approximately 15-20 minutes. Remember, the bonus will only be paid, if you complete the entire experiment and the questionnaires.

Phase 1

Press one of the two keys to gain a reward!

Round No: 1 out of 4

Current trial: 1 out of 30

Total Round score: 0

Phase 2

Press one of the two keys to gain a reward!

Round No: 1 out of 4

Current trial: 1 out of 30

Total Round score: 0

The currency in this round is

The images shown will be

Rate how much you like this image

Please use the full range of the scale

You scored
You achieved % of the maximum possible score of this round

Questionnaires

Each of the item contains two choices, A and B. Please select the letter of the choice which most describes your likes or the way you feel. In some cases, you may find items in which both choices describe your likes or feelings. Please choose the one which better describes your likes or feelings. In some cases, you may find items in which you do not like either choice. In these cases, mark the choice you dislike the least. Do not leave any items blank.
It is important that you respond to all items with only one choice, A or B. We are interested only in your likes or feelings, not in how others feel about these things or how one is supposed to feel. There are no right or wrong answers as in other kinds of tests. Be frank and give an honest appraisal of yourself.

1. A. I like "wild" uninhibited parties.
B. I prefer quiet parties with good conversation.

2. A. There are some movies I enjoy seeing a second or even a third time.
B. I can't stand watching a movie I've seen before.

3. A. I often wish I could be a mountain climber.
B. I can't understand people who risk their necks climbing mountains.

4. A. I dislike all body odors.
B. I like some of the earthy body smells.

5. A. I get bored seeing the same old faces.
B. I like the comfortable familiarity of everyday friends.

6. A. I like to explore a strange city or section of town by myself, even if it means getting lost.
B. I prefer a guide when I am in a place I don't know well.

7. A. I dislike people who do or say things just to shock or upset other people.
B. When you can predict almost everything a person will do and say he or she must be a bore.

8. A. I usually don't enjoy a movie or a play where I can predict what will happen in advance.
B. I don't mind watching a movie or play where I can predict what will happen in advance.

9. A. I have tried marijuana or would like to.
B. I would never smoke marijuana.

10. A. I would not like to try any drug which might produce strange and dangerous effects on me.
B. I would like to try some of the new drugs that produce hallucinations.

11. A. A sensible person avoids activities that are dangerous.
B. I sometimes like to do things that are a little frightening.

12. A. I dislike "swingers" (people who are uninhibited and free about sex).
B. I enjoy the company of real "swingers".

13. A. I find that stimulants make me uncomfortable.
B. I often like to get high (drinking liquor or smoking marijuana).

14. A. I like to try new foods that I have never tasted before.
B. I order the dishes with which I am familiar, so as to avoid disappointment and unpleasantness.

15. A. I enjoy looking at home movies, travel slides, or home videos.
B. Looking at someone's home movies, travel slides, or home videos bores me tremendously.

16. A. I would like to take up the sport of water-skiing.
B. I would not like to take up water-skiing.

17. A. I would like to try surf-board riding.
B. I would not like to try surf-board riding.

18. A. I would like to take off on a trip with no pre-planned or definite routes, or timetable.
B. When I go on a trip I like to plan my route and timetable fairly carefully.

19. A. I prefer the "down-to-earth" kinds of people as friends.
B. I would like to make friends in some of the "far-out" groups like artists or "punks".

20. A. I would not like to learn to fly an airplane.
B. I would like to learn to fly an airplane.

21. A. I prefer the surface of the water to the depths.
B. I would like to go scuba diving.

22. A. I would like to meet some persons who are homosexual (men or women).
B. I stay away from anyone I suspect of being "gay" or "lesbian".

23. A. I would like to try parachute jumping.
B. I would never want to try jumping out of a plane with or without a parachute.

24. A. I prefer friends who are excitingly unpredictable.
B. I prefer friends who are reliable and predictable.

25. A. I am not interested in experience for its own sake.
B. I like to have new and exciting experiences and sensations even if they are a little frightening, unconventional, or illegal.

26. A. The essence of good art is in its clarity, symmetry of form and harmony of colors.
B. I often find beauty in the "clashing" colors and irregular forms of modern paintings.

27. A. I enjoy spending time in the familiar surroundings of home.
B. I get very restless if I have to stay around home for any length of time.

28. A. I like to dive off the high board.
B. I don't like the feeling I get standing on the high board (or I don't go near it at all).

29. A. I like to date people who are physically exciting.
B. I like to date people who share my values.

30. A. When completing questionnaires, I read items carefully and answer honestly.
B. I do not care about the content of questionnaires and answer randomly.

31. A. Heavy drinking usually ruins a party because some people get loud and boisterous.
B. Keeping the drinks full is the key to a good party.

32. A. The worst social sin is to be rude.
B. The worst social sin is to be a bore.

33. A. A person should have considerable sexual experience before marriage.
B. It's better if two married persons begin their sexual experience with each other.

34. A. Even if I had the money I would not care to associate with flighty rich persons in the "jet set".
B. I could conceive of myself seeking pleasures around the world with the "jet set".

35. A. I like people who are sharp and witty even if they do sometimes insult others.
B. I dislike people who have their fun at the expense of hurting the feelings of others.

36. A. There is altogether too much portrayal of sex in movies.
B. I enjoy watching many of the "sexy" scenes in the movies.

37. A. I feel best after taking a couple of drinks.
B. Something is wrong with people who need liquor to feel good.

38. A. People should dress according to some standards of taste, neatness, and style.
B. People should dress in individual ways even if the effects are sometimes strange.

39. A. Sailing long distances in small sailing crafts is foolhardy.
B. I would like to sail a long distance in a small but seaworthy sailing craft.

40. A. I have no patience with dull or boring persons.
B. I find something interesting in almost every person I talk with.

41. A. Skiing fast down a high mountain slope is a good way to end up on crutches.
B. I think I would enjoy the sensations of skiing very fast down a high mountain slope.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Select the option that best describes you

1. I plan tasks carefully. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

2. I do things without thinking. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

3. I make-up my mind quickly. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

4. I am happy-go-lucky. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

5. I don’t ‘‘pay attention.” Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

6. I have ‘‘racing” thoughts. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

7. I plan trips well ahead of time. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

8. I am self controlled. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

9. I concentrate easily. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

10. I save regularly. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

11. I ‘‘squirm” at plays or lectures. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

12. I am a careful thinker. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

13. I plan for job security. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

14. I say things without thinking. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

15. I like to think about complex problems. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

16. I change jobs. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

17. I act ‘‘on impulse.” Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

18. I get easily bored when solving thought problems. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

19. I act on the spur of the moment. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

20. I am a steady thinker. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

21. I change residences. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

22. I buy things on impulse. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

23. I can only think about one thing at a time. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

24. I change hobbies. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

25. I spend or charge more than I earn. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

26. I often have extraneous thoughts when thinking. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

27. I am more interested in the present than the future. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

28. I am restless at the theater or lectures. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

29. I like puzzles. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

30. I am future oriented. Rarely/Never Occasionally Often Almost Always/Always

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

You have now completed the experiment.

Congratulations! You have earned a bonus of €

Please click here to complete the study.
Thank you for your participation!

Consent form for participation in this online experiment

Study Information

1. Purpose

2. Procedure

3. Compensation

4. Data protection

5. Voluntary participation

6. Right to refuse or withdraw

7. Risks

8. Insurance coverage

9. Responsible contact

Consent

You must be wearing headphones to do this HIT!

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Please answer a few questions about this study before proceeding

Phase 1

Phase 2

The currency in this round is

The images shown will be

Rate how much you like this image

Please use the full range of the scale

Questionnaires

You have now completed the experiment.