XpeRTiSE Laboratory Environment

strateGiX Laboratory for Experimental Economic Research

The group simulation rooms are used to conduct experiments analysing the influence of group dynamics on decision-making processes and behaviour. The Laboratory for Experimental Economic Research is equipped with 24 individual booths with privacy screens.

Areas of application include

• Investigation of decision-making behaviour in situations of interdependence,
• the influence of group dynamics on decision-making behaviour,
• Testing models of decision-making and game theory,
• Design of auctions and auction mechanisms,
• Analysis of preference structures in relation to various factors,
• Research into the relationship between economic and social behaviour,
• Investigation and optimisation of negotiation strategies,
• Simulation of real-world negotiation and decision-making situations,
• Examination of the effect of monetary incentives on decision-making

KLEX – Experiencing and experimenting with early childhood learning.
The KLEX learning workshop is a dynamic space for learning and hands-on experience, designed for students of early childhood education and for children. Here, learning processes are shaped in an active, exploratory and creative way: students test educational concepts in a practical setting, support children as they discover and reflect on their experiences within an academic context. Open-ended materials, prepared learning environments and regular visits from partner nurseries make KLEX a central hub for learning, teaching and research.

Further information is available at www.lernwerkstatt-klex.de

TaXES Laboratory for Tax Experiments and Simulations

In the Laboratory for Tax Experiments and Simulations, conversations and negotiation scenarios are re-enacted, observed via audio-visual means and analysed. Possible scenarios might include, for example: discussions between tax advisers and clients, between tax authorities and citizens, constructive crisis talks, and meetings of conference tax departments.

DATEV Driving Licence for Students

MatRiX Laboratory for Market and Stock Exchange Simulation

This laboratory focuses on simulating trading activity on financial markets and analysing the behaviour of participants in decision-making situations. The simulation is based on real financial market data. Participants are provided with information from relevant databases and must adjust their behaviour accordingly. Their decision-making behaviour and its consequences are then analysed. The analysis is not intended to cover only the participants’ quantitative decisions. In addition to the participants’ pure reaction in a decision-making scenario, the focus is on investigating how the decision is formed. This two-stage approach to experimental research creates an interconnection between economics and behavioural research that reflects the diverse facets of the entire faculty. The data collected will be used to quantitatively map how participants react in stressful and decision-making situations. In particular, the aim is to investigate the influence of controlled information on participants’ decision-making.

BOX Behavioural observations and experiments

Compared to conventional measurement approaches, modern neurocognitive methods have the potential to deliver significant added value wherever precise information – that is, information with high temporal and spatial resolution – about human information processing in terms of cognitive and affective processes is of importance. In addition to basic research, it is increasingly the application-oriented fields of the social sciences, such as educational psychology or market research, that are making use of these approaches.

Equipped with a high-speed eye-tracking system (EyeLink1000 Plus, SR Research, Ontario, Canada) and a 64-channel active EEG system (Brain Products, Gilching), as well as a soundproof measurement booth, the BOX Laboratory offers the opportunity to conduct neurocognitive studies at the highest technical standard. Furthermore, the laboratory is equipped with a test library containing a wide range of psychodiagnostic assessment tools.

The BOX laboratory thus provides an infrastructure that extends the interdisciplinary behavioural research of the Faculty of Society and Economics to include neuroscientific approaches.

We conduct a wide variety of experiments in our laboratory facilities on a diverse range of topics. Using the results, we seek to analyse how people make decisions and how these decisions can be described and modelled using theoretical frameworks. Depending on the field of study, various experiments are carried out, such as the investigation and optimisation of negotiation scenarios or the conduct of scenario bundle analyses. The experiments are developed by professors, Research Associates and students as part of research projects, seminars or for final dissertations.

Anyone can take part in the experiments! If we have sparked your interest, please register in our participant database. When a new experiment is due to take place, we will invite you by email.

Where do the participants come from?

We need participants for the experiments. Not only students can take part, but external participants are also warmly invited to join the experiments. Anyone interested can register in our database and will then receive invitations to various experiments.

What do participants do?

Participants are briefed on all the details at the start of each experiment. No prior knowledge or specialist expertise is required to take part in the experiments. Our promise: all experiments are conducted exactly as described in the instructions. We will never manipulate you or lie to you!

And I can earn money doing it!

Payments depend on the type and duration of the experiments. Sometimes the amount is lower, sometimes higher. The hourly rate is approximately €8.

If you have any further questions, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).