A multidimensional evaluation of the benefits of an ecologically realistic training based on pretend play for preschoolers’ cognitive control and self-regulation: From behavior to the underlying theta neuro-oscillatory activity

2022 ◽  
Vol 216 ◽  
pp. 105348
Author(s):  
Nicolas Adam ◽  
Agnès Blaye ◽  
Rasa Gulbinaite ◽  
Sylvain Chabé-Ferret ◽  
Chloé Farrer
2017 ◽  
pp. 521-529
Author(s):  
Hannah Schmitt ◽  
Jutta Kray

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-205
Author(s):  
Aneta Niczyporuk

Abstract Although rituals are believed to lower anxiety, the underlying mechanism of anxiety reduction has not been explained well enough. According to Boyer and Liénard (2006), ritualized behavior decreases the anxiety levels because it swamps working memory. This blocks anxious thoughts’ access to consciousness. As a result, ritualized behavior lowers anxiety temporarily but maintains it in the long run. In the article, I analyze what processes should be engaged in ritualized behavior to bring the aforementioned outcomes. I propose that ritualized behavior has anxiolytic properties if it preoccupies consciousness without placing too many demands on cognitive control. While conscious preoccupation with ritualized behavior should reduce anxiety, cognitive control load related to efforts to concentrate on ritualized behavior may bring immediate paradoxical effects of self-regulation, i.e., anxiety increases. Moreover, since anxiety disrupts attentional control capabilities, ritualized behavior should not be too cognitively demanding if an anxious person is to perform it.


Author(s):  
Robert E. Thayer

Moods are perfect barometers of physiological and psychological functioning. Two biopsychological dimensions, Energetic and Tense Arousal, are keys to understanding moods. These dimensions interact under different activating conditions to form four complex moods that range from calm energy (pleasurable mood associated with full attentional focus, happiness, optimism, favorable athletic performance, and self-control) to tense tiredness (bad mood associated with depression, negative perception of problems, yielding to unwanted urges such as sugar snacking or smoking). Two other complex moods include tense energy (moderately positive state that combines vigor with moderate tension) and calm tiredness (ideal for restful sleep). Energetic and tense arousal are associated with many kinds of motivational processes, including various strategies of self-regulation (best strategy combines relaxation techniques, exercise, and cognitive control). Important to these moods are natural processes such as health, sleep, diet, diurnal energy cycles, movement (exercise), and stress. These moods are mediated by general bodily arousal states.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 1389-1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. King ◽  
Katie A. McLaughlin ◽  
Jennifer Silk ◽  
Kathryn C. Monahan

AbstractAdolescence is a critical period for the development of self-regulation, and peer interactions are thought to strongly influence regulation ability. Simple exposure to peers has been found to alter decisions about risky behaviors and increase sensitivity to rewards. The link between peer exposure and self-regulation is likely to vary as a function of the type and quality of peer interaction (e.g., rejection or acceptance). Little is known about how the nature of interactions with peers influences different dimensions of self-regulation. We examined how randomization to acceptance or rejection by online “virtual” peers influenced multiple dimensions of self-regulation in a multisite community sample of 273 adolescents aged 16–17 years. Compared to a neutral condition, exposure to peers produced increases in cold cognitive control, but decreased hot cognitive control. Relative to peer acceptance, peer rejection reduced distress tolerance and increased sensitivity to losses. These findings suggest that different dimensions of adolescent self-regulation are influenced by the nature of the peer context: basic cognitive functions are altered by mere exposure to peers, whereas more complex decision making and emotion regulation processes are influenced primarily by the quality of that exposure.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Akhmad Mukhlis

This article is an overview of research on early childhood metacommunication. The analysis conducted on several journal articles and books to find identification and explain the inconsistencies in the results of research. First, the overview of the conceptual, developmental and functional aspects of metacommunication in early chilhood social pretend play. This section describes the definition, theory and the development of metacommunication during social pretend play may make an important contribution to the early development of metacognition and self-regulation. Second, reviews about the importance of the involvement of adults in social pretend play While this review highlights some important conceptual, developmental and pedagogical issues in relation to metacommunicaton in social pretend play, these aspects clearly require elaboration. Suggestions are made for further research on metacommunciation development, and the conditions which support its emergence and development.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concepcion Padilla ◽  
Pilar Andres

Previous research has established a link between exercise and executive functions. However, how personality, motivation, and self-regulation can influence this association have been little investigated. Studies investigating in these aspects have shown that physically active individuals are more extrovert, conscientious and open to new experiences than sedentary individuals. Those who are sedentary tend to show more neuroticism and less self-regulation. In this chapter, the literature exploring these aspects is reviewed. In addition, a study to examine the impact of these factors in physically active and sedentary young adults is presented. The Big Five Inventory, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, the Achievement Motivation scales, and the Adult Temperament Questionnaire were administered to evaluate personality, motivation, and self-regulation. The results revealed that active participants significantly differed from sedentary participants in terms of personality showing higher emotional stability, extraversion, and openness to experiences, in addition to greater inhibitory control (self-regulation). Associations between better control of emotions and impulses and cognitive control were also explored, finding a significant correlation between them. Some guidance is included to help health providers to design physical activity programs to promote cardiovascular exercise in populations with high levels of inactivity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Fusco ◽  
Michele Scandola ◽  
Hause Lin ◽  
Michael Inzlicht ◽  
Salvatore Maria Aglioti

Decision conflicts may arise when the costs and benefits of choices are evaluated as a function of outcomes predicted along a temporal dimension. When economic binary alternatives are offered in the present or in the future (e.g. Do you prefer 5€ now or 15€ in 120 days) people may show different decision strategies depending on how sensitive they are to the discounting effect of time. Electrophysiology studies suggest that during decision conflicts it is possible to record over the medial frontal cortex (MFC) a typical oscillatory activity in theta rhythm named midfrontal theta (MFϴ). Such activity may be an index of the processes underpinning top-down cognitive control. Tellingly, MFϴ appears associated with the temporal dynamics of different brain areas, thus operating as a synchronizer during the request of control. Although the correlational link between activity in MFC and MFϴ has been demonstrated, their causal relation with conflict processing has yet to be deeply explored. A methodological approach that may fill this lack of knowledge is represented by the application of alternating current over the brain areas under investigation. The transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is an emerging, innovative technique that changes endogenous patterns of oscillatory activity by entraining neural networks acting on the behavioural performance in a frequency-dependent manner. In accordance with the Registered Report format, we propose a within-subject, sham controlled, cross-over study, in which we will explore the tendency to choose between economic offers during theta, gamma, and sham tACS, with the goal of modulating reaction times (RTs) and choice preferences when different levels of conflict, induced by combining specific delays and payoffs, occur. Hypothesis testing, sample size estimate and analysis of pilot results have been conducted using Bayesian statistics. We expect that our approach will advance the study of cognitive control and conflict processing during decision making.


Author(s):  
Martin Holtmann ◽  
Björn Albrecht ◽  
Daniel Brandeis

Neurofeedback of specific brain activity patterns allows perceiving and learning to gain control over these otherwise unaware neuronal processes. Neurofeedback may improve underlying neuronal deficits, and/or establish more general self-regulatory skills for compensating behavioural difficulties in other domains. Treating ADHD is the most common clinical neurofeedback application. Standard neurofeedback protocols based on electroencephalography train self-regulation of oscillatory activity in certain frequency bands (targeting theta/beta ratio) or slow cortical potential shifts. Both protocols have demonstrated promising outcomes, particularly in improving inattention symptoms, although controlled effects remain heterogeneous and often attenuated in blinded ratings. Further randomized controlled and (as far as possible) blinded evaluation studies are needed for better understanding of the mode of action and to establish robust standard training protocols for routine care. In the current state of evidence, neurofeedback can be recommended as part of a multimodal treatment of ADHD.


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