The process of other-focus: a synthetic social psychophysiological model

Human beings do not exist in isolation from one another. People thrive on social interactions and relationships, and suffer when these things are lacking. In relationships, people both give and receive valuable resources: time, money, attention, assistance. Such resources are vital for psychological health and well-being, but are largely unavailable to individuals unable to look outside of the self. The ability to look beyond the self, therefore, is a vital element of well-being. A psychophysiological model of other-focus is proposed to describe the initiating factors, components and consequences of moments in which one looks beyond the self. The vagus nerve, in concert with oxytocin, is hypothesized to initiate the other-focused state by directing attention to others and generating positive emotions in the moment, leading to other-focused behaviors. Over time, frequent experiences of other-focus result in enhanced relationship quality, psychological well-being and physical health

Testing the Socio-Autonomic Spiral Model of Social Connection and Health

Social closeness is inextricably tied to physical and mental health, but the psychophysiological mechanisms that link the two are not well understood. The purpose of this dissertation is to present and test a Socio-Autonomic Spiral Model of Social Closeness and Health: A proposed self-sustaining, heritable psychophysiological system in which activity of the vagus nerve promotes self-regulation and social openness behaviors in safe situations in order to achieve the social bonds necessary for survival in the evolutionary past and health in the present. Social bonds, in turn, lead to greater psychological well-being, which results in greater vagal activity and thus more social affiliative behaviors. The predictions of the model were tested in two studies. In a longitudinal study, experimentally-induced increases in social closeness predicted increased vagal tone over eight weeks, mediated by increases in positive emotions. Contrary to previous work, vagal tone did not moderate the effectiveness of the social closeness induction. In a laboratory study, vagal tone predicted decreased anxiety when anticipating a social interaction, and this effect was mediated by the tendency to preferentially attend to social stimuli, an indicator of social openness. Unexpectedly, vagal tone was not associated with self-regulation or emotion regulation. The vagus may represent an evolved psychobiological system that promotes social affiliation and health, however, many open questions remain. In particular, the relationship between vagal tone and self-regulation is unclear and requires further study. Finally, vagal moderation of social closeness inductions may be dependent on the complexity of the induction; future research can explore the characteristics of opportunities that are enhanced by vagal tone.Doctor of Philosoph

Data set

Data set for 2010 Biological Psychology publicatio

Experiential Learning at Scale with Computer-Based Roleplay Simulations

Experiential learning is an effective method for changing behavior and teaching new material at work.  Unfortunately, experiential learning is difficult to deliver at scale as it requires hands-on participation and interactivity.EmpowerTheUser (ETU)’s computer-based roleplay simulations enable experiential learning at scale.  In a simulation, learners take on a role and have to react to various situations and make choices that have downsteam consequences.  ETU Simulations engage the learner in cycles of assessment and practice, with summative scoring in the assessment mode and real time coaching and feedback in the practice mode.   ETU partnered with one of the oldest custodian banks headquartered in New York to deliver a series of three simulations on risk management to nearly 6,000 managers on five continents.  User feedback shows that learners are highly satisfied with the program.  Performance improved from simulation I to simulation II, indicating transfer of learning.  Underperforming learners were remediated using the assess/practice/assess learning loop, resulting in a 227% improvement in performance.EmpowerTheUser Simulations provided fast, consistent training in risk management.  Feedback was overwhelmingly favorable and decision tracking within the simulations demonstrated effective learning

How Positive Emotions Build Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone

Kok, B. E., Coffey, K. A., Cohn, M. A., Catalino, L. I., Vacharkulksemsuk, T., Algoe, S. B., Brantley, M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). How Positive Emotions Building Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone. Psychological Science, 24, 1123-1132

Public Access Data - Updated March 2017

Files added here accompany Fredrickson Kok (2018). Evidence for the Upward Spiral Stands Steady: A Response to Nickerson. Psychological Science