Training group showed larger P3 amplitudes to happy versus neutral and angry faces post-training; early ERP components were unaffected¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · causal r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? The facial-expression main effect on P3 amplitudes was qualified by an interaction with training: the Zirkus Empathico group showed larger P3 amplitudes for happy vs. neutral and happy vs. angry faces, while P1 and N170 showed no training effects. → Naumann 2023 q3 i? P1 showed a main effect of facial expression but no training effect, and N170 was modulated by neither training, facial expression, nor their interaction. → Naumann 2023 (2)

Evidence¶

Naumann 2023¶

Naumann, S., Bayer, M., Kirst, S., van der Meer, E. & Dziobek, I. (2023). A randomized controlled trial on the digital socio-emotional competence training Zirkus Empathico for preschoolers. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-023-00169-8

q3 · i? · causal · r2

Post-training EEG ANOVAs (Zirkus Empathico N = 33; Controls N = 34) on P3 amplitudes with facial expression as within factor. The "interaction with training" (p = 0.04) showed the training group had larger P3 amplitudes for happy vs. neutral (p = 0.01) and happy vs. angry (p = 0.02) faces.

"The facial expressi on main effect was quali fied by an interaction with training ( d = 0.11 [<0.01, 0.30], p = 0.04). The Zirkus Empathico group showed larger P3 amplitudes for happy vs. neutral faces ( p = 0.01) and happy vs. angry faces ( p = 0.02)."

Naumann 2023 (2)¶

Naumann, S., Bayer, M., Kirst, S., van der Meer, E. & Dziobek, I. (2023). A randomized controlled trial on the digital socio-emotional competence training Zirkus Empathico for preschoolers. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-023-00169-8

q3 · i? · causal · r2

Post-training EEG ANOVAs on early ERP components. Contrary to hypothesis, "N170 amplitudes were neither modulated by training"; for P1 there was a main effect of facial expression (larger for happy vs. neutral, p = 0.008) but no training effect (d = 0.19, p = 0.43).

"N170 amplitudes were neither modulated by training ( d = 0.08 [<0.01, 0.12], p = 0.73), facial expression ( d = 0.07 [<0.01, 0.10], p = 0.66), nor their interaction"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Zirkus Empathico improved child-assessed emotion recognition but not parent-rated emotion recognition in preschoolers — related
• Six-week Zirkus Empathico training increased parent-rated empathy (EMK 3-6) but not GEM-rated or child-assessed empathy in preschoolers — related
• Zirkus Empathico increased parent-rated prosocial behavior but not child-assessed prosocial behavior — related
• Zirkus Empathico reduced parent-rated behavioral problems in preschoolers — related