Changes in sympathetic tone during cooperative game play

• J. Adam Noah

  Yale School of Medicine

• Yumie Ono

  Meiji University

• Sotaro Shimda

  Meiji University

• Atsumichi Tachibana

  Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine

• Shaw Bronner

  Northeastern University , Northeastern University , Northeastern University

We investigated the relationship between stress (specifically, sympathetic tone) and effective and efficient cooperation between partners using a cooperative version of a Tetris game as a model of limited resources in a shared environment. Participants were recruited from 2 distinct sociocultural orientations: individualism (Americans) and collectivism (Japanese). We compared the frequency domain of heart rate variability (HRV) and average scores on the short form of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (I-PANAS-SF) for individuals and dyad partners. Japanese players cooperated more effectively and their scores on the positive subscale of the I-PANAS-SF for both self and partner were higher than those of American players. However, Japanese participants experienced more stress, as indicated by an increased low-to-high HRV frequency ratio. Our results suggest that sociocultural orientation affects the motivation to promote prosocial interactions that result in efficiency and effectiveness of cooperation.

1. J. Adam Noah, Yale School of Medicine
   Department of Psychiatry
2. Yumie Ono, Meiji University

   Department of Electronics and Bioinformatics

3. Sotaro Shimda, Meiji University

   Department of Electronics and Bioinformatics

    

4. Atsumichi Tachibana, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine

   Department of Electronics and Bioinformatics

   
   

5. Shaw Bronner, Northeastern University, Northeastern University, Northeastern University
   Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences

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