Before joining UT, I've worked at the Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (GER), the University of Saskatchewan (CAN), University College Dublin (IRE) as well as Trier University (GER), where I also got my PhD. Over the last years I've collaborated with researchers around the globe on a multitude of projects ranging from fundamental research on the neurophysiological underpinnings of cognitive control to investigating how motivation can shape performance and how games can shape motivation.
If you are interested in my research, a collaboration, a thesis project for your degree or an internship feel free to contact me. I accept external internships as well!
For a copy of my CV, please refer to: https://tinyurl.com/CV-Friehs (updated semi-regularly)
Expertise
Psychology
- Response Inhibition
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
- Gaming
- Stop-Signal Task
- Research
- Conversation
- False Memory
Neuroscience
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Organisations
In general, I am interested in changing behavior. I want to understand human behavior and experience in order to be able to enhance it in performance-critical situations.
Currently, two major research topics for me are:
- Human-Mediated Reality-Interactions: How do certain aspects of virtual agents influence human experiences and behavior? Can we elicit ārealisticā behaviors and experiences in a game? What game-design features can be most motivating? How can we immerse people in a virtual environment best? For which goals is co-design in a mediated reality best suited?
- Shaping Cognitive Control: How can we optimize processing of and reaction to stimuli (e.g., warning signals)? What are the constraints in which lab research can be translated to the real world? Can we enhance performance reliably? What is the impact of altered neurophysiological states (e.g., via acute stress or non-invasive brain stimulation)?
I'm open for research on other topics; don't hesitate to contact me. Similarly, if you'd like to collaborate: feel free to reach out!Ā
If you're a student: extracurricular projects and internships are possible.Ā
For an up-to-date look at my peer-reviewed research output please refer to GoogleScholar or ResearchGate.
Publications
2024
Letās Talk Games: An Expert Exploration of Speech Interaction with NPCs (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Zargham, N., Friehs, M. A., Tonini, L., Alexandrovsky, D., Ruthven, E. G., Nacke, L. E. & Malaka, R.https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2338666Fighting fair: community perspectives on the fairness of performance enhancement in esports, Article 1330755. Friehs, M. A., Klarkowski, M., Frommel, J., Phillips, C. & Mandryk, R. L.https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1330755A touching advantage: cross-modal stop-signals improve reactive response inhibition, 599-618. Friehs, M. A., Schmalbrock, P., Merz, S., Dechant, M., Hartwigsen, G. & Frings, C.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-023-06767-7Social VR design features and experiential outcomes: narrative review and relationship map for dyadic agent conversations, Article 45. Mulvaney, P., Rooney, B., Friehs, M. A. & Leader, J. F.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-024-00941-0Us Versus Them: The Role of National Identity in the Formation of False Memories for Fake News, 33-47. Delaney, T., Castillo, L., Friehs, M. A., Buttlar, B. & Greene, C. M.https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000498Anodal tDCS of the left inferior parietal cortex enhances memory for correct information without affecting recall of misinformation (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Haciahmet, C. C., Friehs, M. A., Frings, C. & Pastötter, B.https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2024.2316174Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on reactive response inhibition, Article 105532. He, Q., Geißler, C. F., Ferrante, M., Hartwigsen, G. & Friehs, M. A.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105532
2023
No effects of 1Ā Hz offline TMS on performance in the stop-signal game, Article 11565. Friehs, M. A., Siodmiak, J., Donzallaz, M. C., Matzke, D., Numssen, O., Frings, C. & Hartwigsen, G.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38841-zYou Got It in Your Hands: Stop-Signal Modality Influences on Reactive Response Inhibition with Gaming Controls (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Markiewicz, N., Russa, M., Fokkens, A., Dechant, M. & Friehs, M. A.https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2285624From C-3PO to HAL: Opening The Discourse About The Dark Side of Multi-Modal Social AgentsIn CUI '23: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Conversational User Interfaces, Article 62. Avanesi, V., Rockstroh, J., Mildner, T., Zargham, N., Reicherts, L., Friehs, M., Kontogiorgos, D., Wenig, N. & Malaka, R.https://doi.org/10.1145/3571884.3597441The Influence of Environmental Context on Social Anxiety in Virtual Scenes: A Pilot Study. Mulvaney, P., Rooney, B. & Friehs, M.Us Versus Them: The Role of National Identity in the Formation of False Memories for Fake News (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Delaney, T., Castillo, L., Friehs, M. A., Buttlar, B. & Greene, C.https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/t86n4A proof-of-concept study exploring the effects of impulsivity on a gamified version of the stop-signal task in children, Article 1068229. Gallagher, R., Kessler, K., Bramham, J., Dechant, M. & Friehs, M. A.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1068229Time-dependent effects of acute stress on working memory performance: A systematic review and hypothesis, Article 105998. Geißler, C. F., Friehs, M. A., Frings, C. & Domes, G.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105998Home based remotely supervised tDCS in children with aquired brain injury: a feasibility study protocol. Stein, A., Iyer, K. K., Dux, P. E., Friehs, M., Riddle, J., Craven, M. P., Groom, M. J. & Barlow, K. M.Tasting inhibition: A proof-of-concept study of the food stop-signal gameIn Game-Based Learning in Education and Health Part B (pp. 57-80). Elsevier. Kirsten, H., Dechant, M., Gibbons, H. & Friehs, M. A.https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.12.002The influence of tDCS on perceived bouncing/streaming, 59-66. Friehs, M. A., Stegemann, M. J., Merz, S., Geißler, C., Meyerhoff, H. S. & Frings, C.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-022-06505-5
2022
More than skin deep: about the influence of self-relevant avatars on inhibitory control, Article 31. Friehs, M. A., Dechant, M., Schäfer, S. & Mandryk, R. L.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-022-00384-8Enhanced Esports: Community Perspectives on Performance Enhancers in Competitive Gaming, Article 231. Friehs, M. A., Klarkowski, M., Frommel, J., Phillips, C. & Mandryk, R. L.https://doi.org/10.1145/3549494The (Gami)fictional Ego-Center: Projecting the Location of the Self Into an Avatar, Article 918688. Friehs, M. A., Schäfer, S. & Frings, C.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.918688Stimulating performance: A scoping review on transcranial electrical stimulation effects on olympic sports, Article 102130. Friehs, M. A., Whelan, E., Güldenpenning, I., Krause, D. & Weigelt, M.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102130
2021
Effects of single-session transcranial direct current stimulation on reactive response inhibition, 749-765. Friehs, M. A., Frings, C. & Hartwigsen, G.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.013Transcranial direct current stimulation over the left anterior temporal lobe during memory retrieval differentially affects true and false recognition in the DRM task, 4609-4620. Friehs, M. A., Greene, C. & Pastötter, B.https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15337Serious snacking: A survival analysis of how snacking mechanics afect atrition in a mobile serious gameIn CHI 2021 - Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: Making Waves, Combining Strengths, Article 113. Association for Computing Machinery. Alexandrovsky, D., Friehs, M. A., Grittner, J., Putze, S., Birk, M. V., Malaka, R. & Mandryk, R. L.https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445689Shocking advantage! Improving digital game performance using non-invasive brain stimulation, Article 102582. Friehs, M. A., Dechant, M., Vedress, S., Frings, C. & Mandryk, R. L.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2020.102582
Research profiles
Affiliated study programs
Courses academic year 2023/2024
Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.
Courses academic year 2022/2023
Address
University of Twente
Cubicus (building no. 41), room C235
De Zul 10
7522 NJ Enschede
Netherlands
University of Twente
Cubicus C235
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
Netherlands
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