To gain insight in the neural basis of stereotypes in mothers (i.e., gender, prematurity).
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
geen aandoeningen
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
We are interested in neural responses of mothers to stereotype incongruent
information about children, and how such responses are related to the strength
of mothers* implicit stereotypes on tasks outside the scanner.
Secondary outcome
Testing for differences in neural activity between mothers who have strong
implicit stereotypical beliefs about children and mothers who have more
egalitarian implicit stereotypes about children, and linking brain activity to
mothers* current parenting practices and explicit stereotypes.
Background summary
Theoretically it is assumed that there is a close link between a person*s
stereotypes and his or her behavior. Surprisingly, there is only a small body
of literature demonstrating the link between mothers* stereotypes and the way
they behave towards their own children. That only few studies have found a link
between mothers* stereotypes and behavior, might have something to do with the
difficulty of measuring parental stereotypes because self-reported (explicit)
stereotypes are sensitive to response bias. Recently, it was discovered that
implicit stereotypes can be robustly assessed with the use of brain imaging
techniques, studying neural responses to violations to social expectations.
Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the neural responses of
mothers to pictures presenting stereotype congruent or incongruent information
about children. Reactions to stereotype incongruence will be assessed on two
dimensions; one concerning appropriate behavior of boys and girls, and one
regarding the behavior of preterm babies and term babies. In this way, we can
examine whether mothers* stereotypes about two different child-related subjects
have a different neural basis or not.
Study objective
To gain insight in the neural basis of stereotypes in mothers (i.e., gender,
prematurity).
Study design
This study combines neural activity responses with behavioral assessments.
Outside of the scanner, participants will perform two computerized tasks
assessing implicit stereotypes about appropriate behavior of boys and girls,
and behavior of preterm babies and term babies. In addition, we will measure
brain activation using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) while they
are presented with pictures of children (i.e., boys, girls, preterm babies,
term babies) paired with stereotype congruent and incongruent information about
these children. All measurements are non-invasive.
Study burden and risks
There are no known risks associated with participating in the proposed
measurements. MRI is a noninvasive technique involving no catheterizations or
introduction of exogenous tracers. Numerous adults have undergone magnetic
resonance studies without apparent harmful consequences. Some people become
claustrophobic while inside the magnet and in these cases the study will be
terminated immediately at the subject's request. The only absolute
contraindications to MRI studies are the presence of intracranial or
intraocular metal, or a pacemaker. Relative contraindications include pregnancy
and claustrophobia. Subjects who may be pregnant, who may have metallic foreign
bodies in the eyes or head, or who have cardiac pacemakers will be excluded
because of potential contraindications of MRI in such subjects. Although there
is no direct benefit to the participants from this proposed research, there are
greater benefits to society from the potential knowledge gained from this
study. Knowledge about the neural basis of mothers* stereotypes is important
for explaining individual differences in mothers* behavior towards their
children and can subsequently aid in the understanding of optimal or
non-optimal child development. Also, this knowledge might be used in the future
to design more effective interventions for reducing the effects of implicit
(parental) stereotypes on (parenting) behavior.
Heidelberglaan 1
Utrecht 3508 TC
NL
Heidelberglaan 1
Utrecht 3508 TC
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- Right-handed
- Native Dutch speaker
- Mother with child aged between 2-6 years.
Exclusion criteria
- Left-handed
- Participants with a previously diagnosed intellectual disability (IQ < 70).
- Participants with a history of neurological or psychiatric disorder/disease or
use of psychotropic medications.
- Contraindications for MRI, including metal implants, heart arrhythmia, and claustrophobia, epilepsy, closed head injury.
- Females who are pregnant.
To arrive at a sample of 30 mothers who meet the in- and exclusion criteria, approximately 100 mothers will have to be prescreened. Of the mothers meeting the prescreening requirements, the 10 highest-scoring mothers (on the computer tasks), the 10 lowest-scoring mothers, and 10 randomly selected mothers with intermediate scores will be invited for the fMRI part.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL57779.041.16 |