Measuring Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Stress during an IAT: Gendered Socialization and the Pressure to Conform to Social Norms

Podt, Ellemijn (2024) Measuring Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Stress during an IAT: Gendered Socialization and the Pressure to Conform to Social Norms. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

This thesis investigated the perceived and physiological stress responses of individuals during a Racial Implicit Association Test (R-IAT), with a focus on gender differences shaped by societal pressures. Previous research indicates that societal norms and gender roles significantly influence stress responses. This research centres the effectiveness of the R-IAT as a stressor and the potential differential impact based on gender socialization. The purpose of the study was to enhance the understanding of how societal pressure to conform to the norm ‘not being racist’ influences stress. Using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to measure stress, the study examined whether the R-IAT evokes stress and if being raised as a woman influences this relationship. The findings indicated no significant relationship between stress and the R-IAT. Women exhibited lower HRV than men, though this needs further investigation to confirm its connection to stress. The study's limitations include a small, homogenous sample and the need for clearer instructions for participants when conducting the SAM. Future research should employ more diverse, larger samples and alternative stress measurement methods to further explore the dynamics between societal pressure and stress. Keywords: Heart Rate Variability, Implicit Association Test, Perceived Stress, Social Conformity, Gender Differences

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Span, M.M. and Enriquez Geppert, S.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2024 07:18
Last Modified:	13 Aug 2024 07:18
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4247

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