Working 9-5, what a way to measure social behaviour outside the lab: Introducing Sociometric Sensors.


At The University of Lincoln, we have recently taken delivery of several Sociometric sensors!!

Until very recently it was impossible to record social signalling in natural settings with a high level of precision over time. While observers have been employed in the past, their observations are inherently subjective, expensive and often inaccurate. However, advances in electronic measurement sensors, reduction in battery sizes and developments in computational data analysis have facilitated the measurement of what was previously deemed invisible. As a result, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that social signalling plays a significant role in everyday persuasion and decision making, with applications extending to analysis and redesign of organisational networks.

A Sociometric sensor (Figure 1) is a small electronic device worn around the neck. It measures a variety of individual and interpersonal behaviours during a social interaction by way of four sensors: a microphone records speech; an accelerometer measures the degree and direction of nonverbal movement (Figure 2); a Bluetooth transmitter measures the proximity of sensors; and an infer-red transmitter measures when two sensors (and therefore participants) are facing one another. Once activated, the sensors record these attributes on an ongoing basis at a minimum of once per second (depending on the attribute and the sensor settings). These recordings are time synchronised so it is possible to compare behaviour across sensors, facilitating the analysis of social interactions over time (Figures 3 & 4). This can even be extended to include Social Network Analysis (a related Facebook example can be found here).



Figure 1: A Sociometric sensor




Figure 2: Body movement as measured by a Sociometric sensor across a typical Friday


Figure 3: Illustrating differing levels of social interaction between group members - this was calculated using a simple turn-taking analysis algorithm
Figure 4: Speech participation over time between group members (stacked)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A universal skill-set for all psychologists?

A short list of skills for all psychologists aiming to become independent scientists. Compiled quickly following a brief discussion with a colleague.....last edited (16/10/2014) Input Original Thinking Web Development Critical Thinking PsychoPy Superlab Qualtrics Processing Sharing data with others MATLAB Python RStudio  (R) SPSS Excel NVIVO Output Talking Writing Dealing with Rejection (getting back on the horse) Developing detailed strands of work that are simultaneously placed into a wider context Developing Impact Powerpoint Keynote Prezi Adobe Creative Suite Tableau LaTeX Processing Misc Evernote Cloud Outliner Mendeley  (or any referencing software)
Read more

State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI): SPSS Script

The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is a psychological inventory based on a 4-point Likert scale and consists of 40 questions on a self-report basis.  Below is a short script for SPSS which will help speed up the coding process. A version that runs in  R is also in the pipeline.  All items should be labeled as separate numeric variables as stai1 and taiy1 ...etc The script computes and prints the results for all reverse scored items and then calculates and prints state and trait scores. It will also produce  Cronbach's Alpha  coefficients. The original scoring key for the STAI can be found  here . *Part 1 - reverse scoring of specific items COMPUTE stai1r = 5 - stai1. EXECUTE. COMPUTE stai2r = 5 - stai2. EXECUTE. COMPUTE stai5r = 5 - stai5. EXECUTE. COMPUTE stai8r = 5 - stai8. EXECUTE. COMPUTE stai10r = 5 - stai10. EXECUTE. COMPUTE stai11r = 5 - stai11. EXECUTE. COMPUTE stai15r = 5 - stai15. EXE...
Read more

The Hexaco Personality Inventory - SPSS Script

I am currently using the 60-item version of the Hexaco-PI-R personality inventory and decided to write a short script for SPSS to help speed up the coding process. I have posted it below because I couldn't find anyone else who had posted one online. All items should be labeled as separate numeric variables as hexaco1, hexaco2, hexaco3 ...etc The script computes and prints the results for all reverse scored items and then calculates and prints Factor/ Facet scores. It will also produce Cronbach's Alpha coefficients for each factor. The original scoring key for the HEXACO-PI-R can be found here . ******************************************* *Part 1 - reverse scoring of specific items *Honesty-Humility COMPUTE rhexaco30 = 6 - hexaco30. EXECUTE. COMPUTE rhexaco12 = 6 - hexaco12. EXECUTE. COMPUTE rhexaco60 = 6 - hexaco60. EXECUTE. COMPUTE rhexaco42 = 6 - hexaco42. EXECUTE. COMPUTE rhexaco24 = 6 - hexaco24. EXECUTE. COMPUTE rhexaco48 = 6 - hexaco48. EXECU...
Read more