scholarly journals A quantitative interaction between signal detection in attention and reward/aversion behavior

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Viswanathan ◽  
Byoung Woo Kim ◽  
John P Sheppard ◽  
Hao Ying ◽  
Kalyan Raman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Detection ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Loss Aversion ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Preference Theory ◽  
Relative Preference ◽  
The Relationship

This study examines how processes such as reward/aversion and attention, which are often studied as independent processes, in fact interact at a systems level. We operationalize attention with a continuous performance task and variables from signal detection theory, and reward/aversion with a keypress task using variables from relative preference theory. We find that while the relationship between reward/aversion and attention is functionally invariant, a power law formulation akin to the Cobb-Douglas production function in economics provides the best model fit and theoretical explanation for the interaction. These results indicate that a decreasing signal-to-noise with signal detection results in higher loss aversion. Furthermore, the estimated exponents for the multiplicative power law suggest capacity constraints to processing for attention and reward/aversion. These results demonstrate a systemic interaction of attention and reward/aversion across subjects, with a quantitative schema raising the hypothesis that mechanistic inference may be possible at the level of behavior alone.

The Relationship between Mindful Awareness and Cognitive Performance among U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 843-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie J. B. Rice ◽  
Fort Sam Houston ◽  
Paul J. Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Military Service ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Performance Task ◽  
Attention Tasks ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
The Relationship

Mindfulness training has been shown to reduce stress and improve performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and cognition in U.S. military service members and veterans (n = 236). Volunteers completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and two attention and memory measures: the running memory continuous performance task (CPT) and the standard continuous performance task (SCP). MAAS scores were negatively correlated with mean RT on both the CPT and SCP (r’s = -.14 and -.18, respectively, p < .05). FFMQ scores were positively correlated with correct responses (r = .15) and throughput scores (r = .14) on the CPT and negatively correlated with mean RT on the SCP (r’s = -.15, p < .05). Greater mindfulness was associated with better performance on two sustained attention tasks, suggesting mindfulness is linked with improved management of continuous information, without distraction or impulsive reaction.

scholarly journals Power-Law Properties of Human View and Reply Behavior in Online Society

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Wu ◽  
Qihui Ye ◽  
Lixiang Li ◽  
Jinghua Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Opinion Formation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Power Law Function ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Power Law Distributions

Statistical properties of the human comment behavior are studied using data from “Tianya” and “Tieba” which are very popular online social systems (or forums) in China. We find that both the reply numberRand the view numberVof a thread in a subforum obey the power-law distributionsP(R)=RαandP(V)∝Vβ, respectively, which indicates that there exists a kind of highly popular topics. These topics should be specially paid much attention, because they play an important role in the public opinion formation and the public opinion control. In addition, the relationship betweenRandValso obeys the power-law functionR∝Vγ. Based on the human comment habit, a model is introduced to explain the human view and reply behaviors in the forum. Numerical simulations of the model fit well with the empirical results. Our findings are helpful for discovering collective patterns of human behaviors and the evolution of public opinions on the virtual society as well as the real one.

The relationship between smooth pursuit performance, motion perception and sustained visual attention in patients with schizophrenia and normal controls

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. STUVE ◽  
L. FRIEDMAN ◽  
J. A. JESBERGER ◽  
G. C. GILMORE ◽  
M. E. STRAUSS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Smooth Pursuit ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Perception Threshold ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Normal Controls ◽  
Pursuit Gain

Background. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that low smooth pursuit gain in schizophrenia is related to an abnormality in motion perception.Methods. The subjects were 19 schizophrenics treated with clozapine and 19 controls. In addition to smooth pursuit and motion perception paradigms, sustained attention was also assessed using a continuous performance task (CPT).Results. In the patient group, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between smooth pursuit gain and motion perception threshold (r =−0·60, P<0·01). This relationship was not secondary to attention deficits as assessed by the CPT.Conclusions. Our results are consistent with the notion that the smooth pursuit gain deficit is related to a deficit in motion perception rather than in attention. Brain area V5 (also referred to as ‘MT’ in macaque), located in the parieto-occipital region, is known to be critically important both for motion perception and gain. Thus, our results point to an abnormality in this area in schizophrenia.

Mourning and Reminiscence: Parallel Psychotherapeutic Processes for Elderly People

1989 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L. Viney ◽  
Yvonne N. Benjamin ◽  
Carol Preston
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Personal Construct ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Personal Construct Theory ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Processes ◽  
Construct Theory ◽  
The Relationship

Mourning and reminiscence are therapeutic processes common in therapeutic work with the elderly. However, a theoretical explanation of why they are effective has been lacking. Personal construct theory accounts for both in terms of the search of elderly persons for validation of their construct systems. In this article, this explanation of the parallel psychotherapeutic processes is explored, together with relevant information from the literature on mourning and reminiscence. Therapeutic case studies illustrate the characteristics of the two processes and the relationship between them.

The Relationship Between Vigilance Deficits and Traffic Injuries Involving Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. B. Pless ◽  
H. G. Taylor ◽  
L. Arsenault
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Performance Task ◽  
Response Test ◽  
Objective Evidence ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Subjective Evidence

Objective. This study was designed to determine whether there is an increased frequency of deficits in impulse control, vigilance, or both, among child bicyclists or pedestrians who have been injured in traffic accidents, as assessed using objective measures and parent and teacher reports. Research design. This was a case-control study, in which cases were children injured as pedestrians or bicyclists (excluding those with severe head injuries) and controls were those injured as passengers or in some other manner in which the child's behavior was unlikely to be a factor. Setting. Children ages 5 to 15 years presenting to the emergency room of the Montreal Children's Hospital. Participants. For each of 286 cases, two controls were selected, making a total of 848 subjects Among the cases, 172 were injured as pedestrians and 114 as bicyclists. Measures. Children were assessed using the Continuous Performance Task and the Delayed Response Test, both parts of a computerized test battery. Parents and teachers completed the Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire to assess hyperactivity. Results. Cases and controls were similar on most sociodemographic and clinical measures but showed statistically significant differences in mean scores on the Continuous Performance Task measures of omissions and commissions, pointing to differences in vigilance, and on the Delayed Response Test measures of impulsivity. Mean Conners scale scores of both parent and teacher were significantly higher for cases than controls, and those of parents were higher than those of teachers. Conclusions. Among children whose behavior may have been a factor in the occurrence of an injury, there is subjective evidence of increased hyperactivity and objective evidence of deficits in vigilance and attention when compared with closely matched controls. These findings have important implications for prevention.

Genetic Variation of Serotonin Function and Cognitive Control

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 1923-1931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Strobel ◽  
Gesine Dreisbach ◽  
Johannes Müller ◽  
Thomas Goschke ◽  
Burkhard Brocke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Performance Task ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Related Personality

Although it is widely accepted that serotonin plays a pivotal role in the modulation of anxiety- and depression-related personality traits as well as in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders and depression, the role of serotonin in cognition is less clear. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of serotonin in cognitive behaviors by examining the impact of genetic variation in key regulators of serotonergic neurotransmission on behavioral measures in a cognitive control task. Eighty-five healthy participants performed a cued continuous performance task (the AX Continuous Performance Task [AXCPT]) and were genotyped for polymorphisms in the transcriptional control regions of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2 G-703T; rs4570625) and the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). The core result was that individuals lacking the rare TPH2 T allele were not faster than T allele carriers, but committed fewer errors and were less variable in responding. These findings parallel those of a recent study where an enhancement of executive control in individuals without the rare TPH2 T/T genotype was observed. Together with recent evidence that individuals without the T allele exhibit higher scores in anxiety- and depression-related personality traits, our results underscore the role of the TPH2 G-703T polymorphism in the modulation of behavior and raise the intriguing possibility that genetic variants associated with higher negative emotionality may have beneficial effects on some cognitive functions.

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