scholarly journals Face processing in early development: a systematic review of behavioral studies and considerations in times of COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Carnevali ◽  
Anna Gui ◽  
Emily J.H. Jones ◽  
Teresa Farroni
Keyword(s):  
Social Development ◽  
Face Processing ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Emotional Facial Expressions ◽  
Communicative Skills ◽  
Identity Recognition ◽  
Direct Gaze ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
The Impact

Human faces are one of the most prominent stimuli infants in the visual environment of young infants and convey critical information for the development of social cognition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mask wearing has become a common practice outside the home environment. With masks covering nose and mouth regions, the facial cues available to the infant are impoverished. The impact of these changes on development is unknown, but is critical to debates around mask mandates in early childhood settings. As infants grow, they increasingly interact with a broader range of familiar and unfamiliar people outside the home; in these settings, mask wearing could possibly influence social development. In order to generate hypotheses about the effects of mask wearing on infant social development, in the present work we systematically review N=129 studies selected based on the most recent PRISMA guidelines providing a state-of-the-art framework of behavioural studies investigating face processing in early infancy. We focused on identifying sensitive periods during which being exposed to specific facial features or to the entire face configuration has been found to be important for the development of perceptive and socio-communicative skills. For perceptive skills, infants gradually learn to analyze the eyes or the gaze direction within the context of the entire face configuration. This contributes to identity recognition as well as emotional expression discrimination. For socio-communicative skills, direct gaze and emotional facial expressions are crucial for attention engagement while eye-gaze cuing is important for joint attention. Moreover, attention to the mouth is particularly relevant for speech learning. We discuss possible implications of the exposure to masked faces for developmental needs and functions. Providing groundwork for further research, we encourage the investigation of the consequences of mask-wearing for infants’ perceptive and socio-communicative development, suggesting new directions within the research field.

scholarly journals Neurodynamics and connectivity during facial fear perception: The role of threat exposure and signal congruity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody Cushing ◽  
Hee Yeon Im ◽  
Reginald B. Adams ◽  
Noreen Ward ◽  
Daniel N. Albohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Face Processing ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Phase Locking ◽  
Gaze Direction ◽  
Stimulus Exposure ◽  
Direct Gaze ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Threat Cues ◽  
Averted Gaze

AbstractFearful faces convey threat cues whose meaning is contextualized by eye gaze: While averted gaze is congruent with facial fear (both signal avoidance), direct gaze is incongruent with it, as direct gaze signals approach. We have previously shown using fMRI that the amygdala is engaged more strongly by fear with averted gaze, which has been found to be processed more efficiently, during brief exposures. However, the amygdala also responds more to fear with direct gaze during longer exposures. Here we examined previously unexplored brain oscillatory responses to characterize the neurodynamics and connectivity during brief (∼250 ms) and longer (∼883 ms) exposures of fearful faces with direct or averted eye gaze. We replicated the exposure time by gaze direction interaction in fMRI (N=23), and observed greater early phase locking to averted-gaze fear (congruent threat signal) with MEG (N=60) in a network of face processing regions, with both brief and longer exposures. Phase locking to direct-gaze fear (incongruent threat signal) then increased significantly for brief exposures at ∼350 ms, and at ∼700 ms for longer exposures. Our results characterize the stages of congruent and incongruent facial threat signal processing and show that stimulus exposure strongly affects the onset and duration of these stages.

scholarly journals No influence of eye gaze on emotional face processing in the absence of conscious awareness

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Caruana ◽  
Christine Inkley ◽  
Marwa El Zein ◽  
Kiley Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Face Processing ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Gaze Direction ◽  
Conscious Awareness ◽  
Privileged Access ◽  
Direct Gaze ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Emotional Face Processing ◽  
Threat Cues ◽  
Emotional Face

Abstract The human brain has evolved specialised mechanisms to enable the rapid detection of threat cues, including emotional face expressions (e.g., fear and anger). However, contextual cues – such as gaze direction – influence the ability to recognise emotional expressions. For instance, anger paired with direct gaze, and fear paired with averted gaze are more accurately recognised compared to alternate conjunctions of these features. It is argued that this is because gaze direction conveys the relevance and locus of the threat to the observer. Here, we used continuous flash suppression (CFS) to assess whether the modulatory effect of gaze direction on emotional face processing occurs outside of conscious awareness. Previous research using CFS has demonstrated that fearful facial expressions are prioritised by the visual system and gain privileged access to awareness over other expressed emotions. We hypothesised that if the modulatory effects of gaze on emotional face processing occur also at this level, then the gaze-emotion conjunctions signalling self-relevant threat will reach awareness faster than those that do not. We report that fearful faces gain privileged access to awareness over angry faces, but that gaze direction does not modulate this effect. Thus, our findings suggest that previously reported effects of gaze direction on emotional face processing are likely to occur once the face is detected, where the self-relevance and locus of the threat can be consciously appraised.

Effect of Parental Modernity on Rejection Sensitivity and Self-Esteem of Adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu ◽  
Madhu Anand
Keyword(s):  
Social Development ◽  
Rejection Sensitivity ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Individual Modernity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Parental Modernity is an important aspect for the psycho-social development of the child. The present study aims to study the effect of parental modernity on rejection sensitivity and self-esteem of adolescents and the relationship between rejection sensitivity and self-esteem. The research is carried out on a sample of 240 parents (including 120 fathers and 120 mothers) and their 120 children. For observing the impact of modernity of parents on their children, Individual Modernity Scale was used and administered on father and mother. Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire and Self-Esteem Inventory were used to measure the rejection sensitivity and self-esteem of children (age ranges from 14 to 19 years). The results suggest that parental modernity has an effect on the rejection sensitivity and personally perceived self of the self – esteem of adolescents. Furthermore, the rejection sensitivity has been found negatively associated with self-esteem.

scholarly journals The Challenge of Illusory Perception of Animals: The Impact of Methodological Variability in Cross-species Investigation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1618
Author(s):  
Maria Santacà ◽  
Christian Agrillo ◽  
Maria Elena Miletto Petrazzini
Keyword(s):  
Research Field ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Training Procedure ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Extensive Training ◽  
Behavioural Research ◽  
Illusory Perception ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
The Impact

Although we live on the same planet, there are countless different ways of seeing the surroundings that reflect the different individual experiences and selective pressures. In recent decades, visual illusions have been used in behavioural research to compare the perception between different vertebrate species. The studies conducted so far have provided contradictory results, suggesting that the underlying perceptual mechanisms may differ across species. Besides the differentiation of the perceptual mechanisms, another explanation could be taken into account. Indeed, the different studies often used different methodologies that could have potentially introduced confounding factors. In fact, the possibility exists that the illusory perception is influenced by the different methodologies and the test design. Almost every study of this research field has been conducted in laboratories adopting two different methodological approaches: a spontaneous choice test or a training procedure. In the spontaneous choice test, a subject is presented with biologically relevant stimuli in an illusory context, whereas, in the training procedure, a subject has to undergo an extensive training during which neutral stimuli are associated with a biologically relevant reward. Here, we review the literature on this topic, highlighting both the relevance and the potential weaknesses of the different methodological approaches.

scholarly journals The Fragility of Women’s Work Trajectories in Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Rosario Undurraga ◽  
Jóna Gunnarsson
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Market Segmentation ◽  
Women Professionals ◽  
Women's Labor ◽  
Labor Market Segmentation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Chilean Women

How are the work trajectories of Chilean women? This qualitative study analyzes the female work trajectories through interviews and biograms in a sample of 50 Chilean women, professionals and non-professionals, between the ages of 24 and 88. The article proposes an original typology of female work trajectories and relates type of work trajectory with Piore’s theory of labor market segmentation. The paper discusses the challenges and weaknesses of the Chilean women’s labor outcome and presents recent data to extrapolate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable work trajectories. It considers the type of State and possible actions to achieve greater welfare and social development regarding gender equality.

scholarly journals Association between Malaria Infection and Early Childhood Development Mediated by Anemia in Rural Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 902
Author(s):  
Erin M. Milner ◽  
Patricia Kariger ◽  
Amy J. Pickering ◽  
Christine P. Stewart ◽  
Kendra Byrd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Social Delay ◽  
The Impact

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, with most cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. Children in this age group in Africa are at greatest risk worldwide for developmental deficits. There are research gaps in quantifying the risks of mild malaria cases, understanding the pathways linking malaria infection and poor child development, and evaluating the impact of malaria on the development of children under five years. We analyzed the association between malaria infection and gross motor, communication, and personal social development in 592 children age 24 months in rural, western Kenya as part of the WASH Benefits environmental enteric dysfunction sub-study. Eighteen percent of children had malaria, 20% were at risk for gross motor delay, 21% were at risk for communication delay, and 23% were at risk for personal social delay. Having a positive malaria test was associated with increased risk for gross motor, communication, and personal social delay while adjusting for child characteristics, household demographics, study cluster, and intervention treatment arm. Mediation analyses suggested that anemia was a significant mediator in the pathway between malaria infection and risk for gross motor, communication, and personal social development delays. The proportion of the total effect of malaria on the risk of developmental delay that is mediated by anemia across the subscales was small (ranging from 9% of the effect on gross motor development to 16% of the effect on communication development mediated by anemia). Overall, malaria may be associated with short-term developmental delays during a vulnerable period of early life. Therefore, preventative malaria measures and immediate treatment are imperative for children’s optimal development, particularly in light of projections of continued high malaria transmission in Kenya and Africa.

scholarly journals Eye gaze patterns and functional brain responses during emotional face processing in adolescents with conduct disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 102519
Author(s):  
Willeke Martine Menks ◽  
Lynn Valérie Fehlbaum ◽  
Réka Borbás ◽  
Philipp Sterzer ◽  
Christina Stadler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conduct Disorder ◽  
Face Processing ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Functional Brain ◽  
Gaze Patterns ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Emotional Face Processing ◽  
Emotional Face

scholarly journals Editorial from the Editor in Chief: Impact factors and open access publishing

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Dieter H.H. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Impact Factor ◽  
Ultrashort Pulses ◽  
Dense Matter ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Research Field ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Open Access Publishing ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Particle Beams ◽  
The Impact

The primary goal of Laser and Particle Beams as part of the Cambridge University Press is the dissemination of knowledge in our research field. How effective we are in this respect is not easy to determine. But the impact factor published annually in June by Thomson ISI® 2005 Journal Citation Reports (JCR), gives at least an indication and a method to compare other journals in the field. In this respect, Laser and Particle Beams is a journal with a very high ranking in the field of applied physics, but it also compares very well to journals in other field of physics. The impact factor of a journal gives an account of how often an average paper in the journal is referred to, in a two year time span after publication. The current impact factor of 2.59 is based on an evaluation conducted in 2005 of Laser and Particle Beams publications of 2003 and 2004. During the evaluation period (2005), Laser and Particle Beams publications were cited about 1000 times. The topics that attracted most attention were Fast Ignition (Deutsch, 2004; Mulser & Schneider, 2004a; Hora, 2004; Mulser & Bauer, 2004b), Inertial Fusion Targets (Borisenko et al., 2003), and Ion and Electron Acceleration in laser plasma and Ultrashort Pulses (Shorokhov & Pukhov, 2004; Osman et al., 2004; Malka & Fritzler, 2004; Limpouch et al., 2004; Pegoraro et al., 2004). However, the editorial boards of Laser and Particle Beams strongly encourage authors to submit their results in High Energy Density Physics, the emerging field of Warm Dense Matter, Pulsed Power and Accelerator Physics and Technology.

The Impact of COVID-19: Democracy in the Time of a Pandemic

Social Change ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-482
Author(s):  
Zoya Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Domain Experts ◽  
Sharp Focus ◽  
The World ◽  
Democratic Rights ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The Impact

The recent spread of the delta variant of the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, though uneven, has once again set alarm bells ringing throughout the world. Nearly two years have passed since the onset of this pandemic: vaccines have been developed and vaccination is underway, but the end of the campaign against the pandemic is nowhere in sight. This drive has merely attempted to adjust and readjust, with or without success, to the various fresh challenges that have kept emerging from time to time. The pandemic’s persistence and its handling by the governments both have had implications for citizens’/peoples’ rights as well as for the systems which were in place before the pandemic. In this symposium domain experts investigate, with a sharp focus on India, the interface between the COVID-19 pandemic and democracy, health, education and social sciences. These contributions are notable for their nuanced and insightful examination of the impact of the pandemic on crucial social development issues with special attention to the exacerbated plight of society’s marginalised sections. In India, as in several other countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected democracy. The health crisis came at a moment when India was already experiencing democratic backsliding. The pandemic came in handy in imposing greater restrictions on democratic rights, public discussion and political opposition. This note provides an analysis and commentary on how the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted governance, at times undermining human rights and democratic processes, and posing a range of new challenges to democracy.

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