WSU researcher to study live reactions to presidential debate

Washington State University researcher Paul Bolls will soon conduct what he calls one of the most exciting studies he’s completed in his career. This study will take place during Tuesday’s United States presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

 “We’re going to be uniquely measuring emotional responses,” he said. “Participants in the study are going to be asked to wear a ring on their finger, (which) measures emotional responses on a second-by-second basis in response to the broadcast of the debate.”

Bolls, who studies how people react to media content and technology, said the findings could help journalists and citizens understand how they can improve political coverage and discourse.

“I think science, particularly this kind of science,  can be used to improve journalism practice.  And maybe help us all think more carefully about the consequences and effects of the way we cover politics and the way we as citizens talk about politics,” Bolls said.

Participants will complete two self-report questionnaires prior to the debate about their political attitudes and perceptions of the two candidates. The study protects individual’s privacy, Bolls said, only using the information collected as part of a larger aggregate.

Bolls is currently recruiting 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats between the ages of 30 and 65 to participate. Research participants will also receive a $50 electronic gift card for their involvement.

“I hope participants coming out of this project will leave with a great sense of making a very important individual contribution to work that is truly trying to improve our politics, by a team of researchers that’s mindful of democracy and the importance of democracy,” he said. 

Anyone with questions about the research or interested in participating in the study can contact Bolls via email at pbolls@wsu.edu.