Booth Id:
BEHA015
Category:
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Year:
2017
Finalist Names:
Blaise, Meredith (School: Guthrie Center High School)
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to isolate biomarkers of psychosocial stress by means of presenting scenarios with increasing stakes and observing changes in blood pressure, blood oxygen, and pulse, as well as a questionnaire pertaining to quantitative, cognitive, sensorial and influential demands. The hypothesis of this study states that if a psychosocially stressful situation is induced, then an increasing change in blood pressure, blood and oxygen and pulse will be observed. The procedure is to be executed as follows; first gather the materials, following this, sit the test subject in a controlled environment. Record the subjects' age and gender for personal reference. Wrap the electronic blood pressure monitor around the subject's arm and take starting blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) reading, as well as pulse and blood oxygen level. Ask the questions, and record any changes in blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) reading, as well as pulse and blood oxygen level in the chart. Following experimentation, the hypothesis was partially disproved. An increasing change in blood pressure and pulse were frequently observed during the second variation of the transplant dilemma and the implied consent scenario, however blood oxygen remained constant with nearly all the subjects included in the data. In conclusion, blood oxygen is not a valid identifier for psychosocial stress.