Social Psychology Commons^™

The Influence Of A Positive Or Negative Mindset On Affect And Heart Rate Variability, Alexa Ronayne

All College Thesis Program, 2016-2019

The purpose of this study was to see whether the induction of a positive or negative mindset could influence measures of health and happiness, specifically heart rate variability and affect. 43 participants completed two short writing exercises intended to place them in either a positive or a negative mindset. During the entirety of the study, I measured their heart rate and calculated the variability between beats. Participants reported their affect before and after the manipulation. The results showed a clear relationship between mindset condition and heart rate variability and a possible link between mindset and affect. The positive mindset condition …