Research & Projects
Here you will find a selection of our current research projects. You can also find an overview of the department's current studies here.
We would also be delighted if you would like to subscribe to our research newsletter. There you will be informed about current research projects for which we are looking for test subjects.
Current Research
Anxiety and fear
In the German and English languages, among others, the words "anxiety" and "fear" are used as synonyms to describe emotions that occur in threatening situations. Although we are familiar with established terms such as "fear of heights", "test anxiety" and "fear conditioning", we are usually unable to clearly define the difference between anxiety and fear. Even in scientific emotion research, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Based on Jeffrey Gray's revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST), which was primarily developed using animal models and postulates three biologically determined dispositional behavioural systems - a Behavioural Approach System, a Conflict Detection System and a Fight-Flight-Freeze System - the project funded by the Daimler and Benz Foundation is attempting to empirically differentiate between fear and anxiety in humans. The scientific director of the research project, officially entitled "Experimental differentiation of fear and anxiety in a virtual reality environment", is Prof. Dr. Martin Reuter.
Read more about this project in the Annual Report 2022 of the Daimler und Benz Foundation.
Aphantasia Research Project Bonn
Inspired by Adam Zeman's research, we have launched our research project on the topic of aphantasia. Aphantasia is defined as the absence of voluntary, sensory imagination.
Become part of the project:
If you would like to take part in studies on the topic of aphantasia, please sign up for our newsletter .
We are looking for people with aphantasia and hyperphantasia, but also people with normal imagination. A place of residence in Germany is helpful, but not necessary.
Werden Sie Teil des Projekts:
If you would like to take part in studies on the topic of aphantasia, please sign up for our newsletter.
We are looking for people with aphantasia and hyperphantasia, but also people with normal imagination. A place of residence in Germany is helpful, but not necessary.
Bonn Gene, Brain & Behavior Project - BGBBP
What is it?
- Gene database (biobank) with the aim of investigating the genetic basis of human behaviour
- experimental studies and questionnaire procedures
enables the targeted recruitment of individuals with characteristics of interest for further studies
How can you participate?
- Completion of two questionnaires of approx. 50 minutes each (online)
- followed by an appointment in the laboratory (submission of a gene sample, hand scan)
What do you get out of it?
- Individual personality feedback directly when completing the online questionnaires (on the Big Five and the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory)
- 3-3.5 VP hours (for psychology students)
- Participation in further studies (If a total of nine VP hours have been collected in our department, you will receive a T-shirt with your individual genotype for OXTR rs2268498!)
Interested? Click here for part 1:
Contact person:
Prof. Dr. Martin Reuter
M. Sc. Svea Hogeterp
Psychobiological foundations of inter-individual differences in pain sensitivity
At least one in five people worldwide suffers from chronic pain. As the prevalence increases with age, a steady increase in the number of people affected is to be expected due to demographic change. Despite the high prevalence and the severe impairments resulting from pain symptoms, the clinical options for pain management are limited. It is known that a high endogenous sensitivity to pain favours the chronification of acute pain. However, the psychobiological factors that cause inter-individual differences in pain sensitivity are largely unexplained.
This research project aims to make a contribution to this.