Research Subject Reflection

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Avery DeBernardi

Marketing Research
Research Subject Reflection
I participated in multiple different research studies both in person and online. My

experiences were unique with each study, and I now have a solid understanding of what it’s like

to be a research subject. Down below are some of the research studies I participated in and an

in depth look into my thoughts and feelings while having these experiences.

Interacting with a Chat bot AI

Participating in the research study provided a diverse glimpse into the realms of AI and

human behavior. One study delved into the world of AI-powered interactions, specifically

exploring the dynamics of addressing a missing food delivery through a chat bot. My primary

task was to assess the authenticity of the AI in resolving the issue and to share my overall

experience. I was asked how the interaction made me feel as well as if I thought the chat bot

was being genuine and sincere. There is a lot of interesting data that can be revealed through a

study like this, and I found it very interesting given the climate in today’s world with AI on the

rise. Although its reaction was highly intriguing, the subtleties of its behavior—in terms of

answers, conversational flow, or maybe a lack of comprehension in specific circumstances

revealed the gap between artificial and human interaction. As I engaged with the chat bot, it

became evident that, while not entirely ineffective, it lacked a convincing edge in

communication.

The responses failed to emulate the natural flow typical to human conversation. This

discrepancy made it clear that I was interacting with an AI rather than a real person. Despite its

attempts to address the missing food order, there was a noticeable gap in the authenticity of
the interaction. The experience brought to light the challenges in creating AI that not only

performs a task but also convincingly emulates human interaction. The ability to discern the AI's

artificial nature from its responses highlighted the current limitations in achieving a seamless

human-like experience. This relates to the chat gpt projects we do in class as the information

from chat gpt does lack a human touch to it in certain circumstances.

In retrospect, this study highlights the importance of refining AI communication to

bridge the gap between functionality and authenticity. It left me contemplating the potential

advancements needed to create AI systems that not only solve problems efficiently but also

engage users in a more human-like manner. This study not only provided the researchers with

firsthand insights into the intricacies of human-AI interactions and the timing of assistance but

also gave me a unique lens into the evolving landscape of technology and psychology. As the

quest for more convincing AI continues, my experiences contribute to the ongoing dialogue

about the boundaries and potential of artificial intelligence in mimicking human behavior.

Reading and reflecting on a research article

I was tasked with reading an extensive research article discussing many different studies

that looked at the psychological effects of receiving help at different stages while completing

different activities. Participating in the psychological effects study was an eye-opening

experience. After reading an article discussing various studies on offering help at different

stages in activities like Rubik's cubes, flower arranging, and video games, I was prompted to

articulate my understanding of the research. The studies highlighted a consistent pattern: when

individuals received assistance later in an activity, it often resulted in them feeling a sense of

loss of ownership over the task. Moreover, this delayed help seemed to correlate with a
decrease in self-confidence. The intricate exploration of how the timing of assistance could

influence not just the outcome of a task, but also one's perception of their abilities was

particularly intriguing.

When asked to describe the studies, I found myself reflecting on the examples provided

in the article. Each activity served as a unique context, but the common thread was the impact

of delayed assistance on participants' feelings of ownership and self-confidence. It was

interesting to consider how these findings might translate into real-world scenarios, potentially

influencing how we approach collaboration and support in various contexts. Overall, It was a

thought-provoking journey into the intricacies of human behavior and the potential ripple

effects of timing in collaborative efforts.

Heart Rate Monitor Study

I participated in another in-person study that required me to wear a heart rate monitor

as well as a monitor on my fingers. The goal was to put the participant in an environment and

ask them how their surroundings make them feel while answering questions of varying levels of

difficulty. In the first area I was more out in the open with my peers and I was in a

claustrophobic environment. I was asked various questions including math and then asked how

it made me feel in terms of negative and positive feelings.

I was later moved into a quiet more secure room with a closed door. Inside the room

were many plants and a nice couch to sit on with a table for support. I was still asked similar

questions as the first time, but I admit it was easier to perform when I felt more secure and

knew I was alone. The researchers will be able to use my heart rate and stress levels to

determine how the physical environment can impact your senses and ability to understand
information. Overall, I enjoyed the study and see the value in how it was orchestrated from a

researcher’s perspective.

Other Notable research studies

There were many other research studies I participated in over the semester that took

place online. Many of the studies would have me observe a social media post, product, or some

other item to analyze and give feedback on. I found it very interesting the different questions I

was asked and how it pertained to the overarching goal of the survey. Some were clear on what

they were trying to assess, and others were more psychologically in depth and ambiguous such

as how you mentally feel regarding content and how it is presented online. The organization of

these studies related very closely with the material learned in class which was cool to see

professors at my university using some of the same methods I’m learning about in class. This in

turn will help me understand how to organize my questions for our upcoming group project

which includes creating a survey.

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