"Measurements beyond the questionnaire"
For a long time, the social sciences and psychology were regarded as "soft sciences" in which theoretically complex concepts are surveyed using extremely subjectivist methods (such as questionnaires). In recent years, the massive success of neuroscientific research has made a significant contribution to tracing our knowledge of (inter)human behavior back to physiological mechanisms in great detail.
The greatest potential for growth in applied research currently lies in the networking of health and social science applications and technological innovation.
In this context, the establishment of the laboratory is dedicated to two tasks: on the one hand, the further development of (medical) technical investigation methods for social science research - and thus the networking with engineering development work.
On the other hand, the investigation of specific scientific questions using the newly developed technical instruments is on the agenda:
For example:
How are the subjective perception of stress and the physical consequences of prolonged stress related? Can intuitive intentions in the communication process be recorded and mapped neuronally? How do the physical and neuronal activation patterns of psychogenic epileptic seizures differ from those of purely neuronal origin? Which non-pharmacological treatment methods for AD(H)S are economically viable? How must the elements of psychotherapy for gambling addicts be combined to achieve the most effective effect? How can stress-related acute heart disease be recognized as far in advance as possible?
Another area is the use of biomarkers in the field of occupational aptitude diagnostics. The interplay between the combined long-term recording of physiological signals and classic questionnaire methodology offers us an application-oriented extension of our research in many areas and at the same time the opportunity to introduce students to this application orientation in their practical work.