scholarly journals Visual Neuropsychology in Development: Anatomo-Functional Brain Mechanisms of Action/Perception Binding in Health and Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Ionta
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Solid Base ◽  
Action Perception ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Neuropsychological Evidence ◽  
The Impact

Vision is the main entrance for environmental input to the human brain. Even if vision is our most used sensory modality, its importance is not limited to environmental exploration. Rather it has strong links to motor competences, further extending to cognitive and social aspects of human life. These multifaceted relationships are particularly important in developmental age and become dramatically evident in presence of complex deficits originating from visual aberrancies. The present review summarizes the available neuropsychological evidence on the development of visual competences, with a particular focus on the associated visuo-motor integration skills in health and disease. With the aim of supporting future research and interventional settings, the goal of the present review is to constitute a solid base to help the translation of neuropsychological hypotheses into straightforward empirical investigations and rehabilitation/training protocols. This approach will further increase the impact, ameliorate the acceptance, and ease the use and implementation of lab-derived intervention protocols in real-life situations.

Psychology: Volume 1

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Cognitive Capability ◽  
Affective Processes ◽  
Abstract Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cognition And Affect

This survey of research on psychology in five volumes is a part of a series undertaken by the ICSSR since 1969, which covers various disciplines under social science. Volume One of this survey, Cognitive and Affective Processes, discusses the developments in the study of cognitive and affective processes within the Indian context. It offers an up-to-date assessment of theoretical developments and empirical studies in the rapidly evolving fields of cognitive science, applied cognition, and positive psychology. It also analyses how pedagogy responds to a shift in the practices of knowing and learning. Additionally, drawing upon insights from related fields it proposes epithymetics–desire studies – as an upcoming field of research and the volume investigates the impact of evolving cognitive and affective processes in Indian research and real life contexts. The development of cognitive capability distinguishes human beings from other species and allows creation and use of complex verbal symbols, facilitates imagination and empowers to function at an abstract level. However, much of the vitality characterizing human life is owed to the diverse emotions and desires. This has made the study of cognition and affect as frontier areas of psychology. With this in view, this volume focuses on delineating cognitive scientific contributions, cognition in educational context, context, diverse applications of cognition, psychology of desire, and positive psychology. The five chapters comprising this volume have approached the scholarly developments in the fields of cognition and affect in innovative ways, and have addressed basic as well applied issues.

scholarly journals Hierarchy in the Library: Egalitarian Dynamics in Victorian Novels

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 147470490800600 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Johnson ◽  
Joseph Carroll ◽  
Jonathan Gottschall ◽  
Daniel Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Life History Theory ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Affiliative Behavior ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Victorian Novels ◽  
The Impact

The current research investigated the psychological differences between protagonists and antagonists in literature and the impact of these differences on readers. It was hypothesized that protagonists would embody cooperative motives and behaviors that are valued by egalitarian hunter-gatherers groups, whereas antagonists would demonstrate status-seeking and dominance behaviors that are stigmatized in such groups. This hypothesis was tested with an online questionnaire listing characters from 201 canonical British novels of the longer nineteenth century. 519 respondents generated 1470 protocols on 435 characters. Respondents identified the characters as protagonists, antagonists, or minor characters, judged the characters' motives according to human life history theory, rated the characters' traits according to the five-factor model of personality, and specified their own emotional responses to the characters on categories adapted from Ekman's seven basic emotions. As expected, antagonists are motivated almost exclusively by the desire for social dominance, their personality traits correspond to this motive, and they elicit strongly negative emotional responses from readers. Protagonists are oriented to cooperative and affiliative behavior and elicit positive emotional responses from readers. Novels therefore apparently enable readers to participate vicariously in an egalitarian social dynamic like that found in hunter-gatherer societies. We infer that agonistic structure in novels simulates social behaviors that fulfill an adaptive social function and perhaps stimulates impulses toward these behaviors in real life.

scholarly journals The Dynamic and Fragile Nature of Eyewitness Memory Formation: Considering Stress and Attention

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alia N. Wulff ◽  
Ayanna K. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Inattentional Blindness ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Witness Memory ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Eyewitnesses are often susceptible to recollection failures and memory distortions. These failures and distortions are influenced by several factors. The present review will discuss two such important factors, attention failures and stress. We argue that acute stress, often experienced by eyewitnesses and victims of crimes, directly influences attentional processes, which likely has downstream consequences for memory. Attentional failures may result in individuals missing something unusual or important in a complex visual field. Amongst eyewitnesses, this can lead to individuals missing details, even unusual or important central details, regarding the crime. Surprisingly, few studies have investigated attentional failures in eyewitness scenarios, and none have investigated the relationship between stress, attention, and witness memory. This review will discuss the impact of attentional failures, mainly those resulting from inattentional blindness, in applied contexts in order to bridge to eyewitness scenarios. In addition, we will integrate the applied literature on attentional failures with literature that examines the influences of arousal and stress on attention. We will conclude by presenting how future research may tease apart the independent contributions of arousal and stress on attentional failures and successes and how this research may inform understanding of eyewitness reliability.

scholarly journals Understanding the Impact of Bipolar Disorder Experience from an Insiders' Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Sophie Favre ◽  
Hélène Richard-Lepouriel ◽  
Sophie Favre
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Type I ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and hypomania and is often associated with functional impairment even between mood episodes. A substantial proportion of patients experience inter-episode mood swings, making bipolar disorder a complex psychiatric disorder to manage. Patients’ perspectives can enhance clinical practice and research. The present study aimed to explore the impact of the bipolar disorder experience from a patient’s perspective to facilitate better understanding in clinical practice and future research. Method: We conducted a single case study with a key informant living with bipolar disorder (type I) for more than 20 years. The key informant constructed a chart of his mood disorder experiences. Subsequently, he commented on the chart and these comments were noted down by his therapist. Results: We present a chart of lived experience perception by a person living with bipolar disorder. The main axis was reality perception and it was related with mood, identity, and functioning. The comments on the chart provided a detailed and accurate description of a lived experience of functioning of bipolar disorder and its impact on a person’s life. Discussion: Globally, the experiences described by the key informant are consistent with previous literature. The principal finding was the meaning of the subjective experiences of reality perception, their relation with mood change, and impact on the person’s life. The perception of reality seems to be a key factor in the experience of bipolar mood swings. Not only did the disorder affect the self and the functioning, but at its extreme, reality “either did not matter or did not exist.” This feeling enhanced the sense of being disconnected from the world and the surroundings and led to the experience of extreme loneliness. Conclusion: The description in this study cannot be generalized, since it was conducted with only one subject. However, it provided a better insight into the detailed real-life experience that can be useful for clinicians treating persons living with bipolar disorder. Such descriptions obtained from a qualitative procedure can also be combined with quantitative data in patients' assessments and research. This study suggests that the experience of “disconnection” should be investigated further.

The Psychological Benefits of Receiving Real-Life Altruism

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
Edward Hoffman ◽  
Jenniffer Gonzalez-Mujica ◽  
Catalina Acosta-Orozco ◽  
William C. Compton
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Religious Faith ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the impact of receiving real-life altruism on such positive attitudinal aspects as empathy, optimism, and motivation to help others. A mixed convenience/snowball sample of 148 participants (79 men, 67 women, 2 gender unknown), responded to an online questionnaire. Most were between 21 and 40 years of age, and had at least a college degree; all but eight were born in Venezuela, and the remainder were from other Hispanic/Latino countries. Participants were asked to describe an experience in which they had received unexpected altruism and rate its impact on their subsequent view of life. They were also asked to rate its effect on their optimism about human nature, trust in social relationships, appreciation for life, sense of gratitude, self-esteem, sense of being valued by others, empathy for others, motivation to help others, energy and enthusiasm in general, and religious faith. A total of 64.2% reported an unexpected altruistic experience. Of those, almost 75% reported the experience changed their view of life at least “strongly” and only 4.2% stated that it had little or no effect. The intensity of their change in life view correlated significantly with all 10 dependent variables except for gratitude. Women were significantly more likely to report that their experience boosted their gratitude for others, and participants whose altruistic experiences were attitudinally more life-changing were significantly more likely to indicate that religion was very important to them. The implications of these findings for understanding the psychological benefits of altruistic experience are discussed and avenues for future research are suggested.

scholarly journals Assessing the Robustness of Mediation Analysis Results Using Multiverse Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith J. M. Rijnhart ◽  
Jos W. R. Twisk ◽  
Dorly J. H. Deeg ◽  
Martijn W. Heymans
Keyword(s):  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Total Effect ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThere is an increasing awareness that replication should become common practice in empirical studies. However, study results might fail to replicate for various reasons. The robustness of published study results can be assessed using the relatively new multiverse-analysis methodology, in which the robustness of the effect estimates against data analytical decisions is assessed. However, the uptake of multiverse analysis in empirical studies remains low, which might be due to the scarcity of guidance available on performing multiverse analysis. Researchers might experience difficulties in identifying data analytical decisions and in summarizing the large number of effect estimates yielded by a multiverse analysis. These difficulties are amplified when applying multiverse analysis to assess the robustness of the effect estimates from a mediation analysis, as a mediation analysis involves more data analytical decisions than a bivariate analysis. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview and worked example of the use of multiverse analysis to assess the robustness of the effect estimates from a mediation analysis. We showed that the number of data analytical decisions in a mediation analysis is larger than in a bivariate analysis. By using a real-life data example from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, we demonstrated the application of multiverse analysis to a mediation analysis. This included the use of specification curves to determine the impact of data analytical decisions on the magnitude and statistical significance of the direct, indirect, and total effect estimates. Although the multiverse analysis methodology is still relatively new and future research is needed to further advance this methodology, this paper shows that multiverse analysis is a useful method for the assessment of the robustness of the direct, indirect, and total effect estimates in a mediation analysis and thereby to inform replication studies.

scholarly journals EDITORIAL

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 02
Author(s):  
Wellington Balmant
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Thermal Engineering ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Simple Task

The editorial of Thermal Engineering of this issue continues the discussion on scientific research needs in vital areas in which thermal engineering has important participation. The main goal is to motivate the readers, within their specialties, to identify possible subjects for their future research. Mathematical modeling is a powerful tool used in engineering when one wants to design and optimize and equipment and/or processes. The main idea behind a mathematical model is to be able to simulate, as accurately as possible, the behavior of any physical system, real or virtual. However, the task of creating a mathematical model is far from simple. For the sake of comparison, disciplines of physics also propose mathematical models, but these models need to be universal. In engineering, this degree of universality is practically impossible. In reality, a good mathematical model for engineering is the one that is a good tool, assisting the design and optimization of equipment and systems. But which model should we choose when we find ourselves in real life engineering problems? Unfortunately, mathematical models for engineering are quite subjective. It takes into account what each author of the model saw and what problem he/she wanted to solve. That is why for the same system, for example, a shell and tube heat exchangers, there are multitude mathematical models proposed with different features, from highly complex models that use computational fluid dynamics to the simplest models used in undergraduate courses. This makes creativity and analytical skills very important when designing and optimizing a real system in view of the fact that design failures can generate monetary and human life losses. Choosing the right mathematical model is not a simple task, especially in unconsolidated areas, which are generally those where there is a great interest in applied research. Due to the very large number of existing mathematical models, engineers generally choose to propose their own mathematical model. A classification system for mathematical models would be very useful to find what mathematical models are most useful for a given situation.The mission of Thermal Engineering is to document the scientific progress in areas related to thermal engineering (e.g., energy, oil and renewable fuels). We are confident that we will continue to receive articles’ submissions that contribute to the progress of science.

scholarly journals Do learning support assistants’ perceptions of their role support the capability approach? A small-scale study in a Jordanian international school

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-32
Author(s):  
Matthew Lee
Keyword(s):  
Capability Approach ◽  
Human Life ◽  
International School ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Learner Agency ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Capability Approach

This article reports on a small-scale study which explored the perceptions of learning support assistants (LSAs) about how they facilitate learner agency and wellbeing, two key facets of the capability approach. Interviews were conducted with ten LSAs working in an international school to investigate whether LSAs support aspects of this theoretical framework within their role, where their efficacy is often valued by the quantity of time they spend with the child rather than the quality of the support provided. The capability approach was utilised as an analytic framework by using the four capability approach categories which Sen (1999) argues can evaluate human life: wellbeing achievements, agency achievements, wellbeing freedoms, and agency freedoms. The findings from the study indicate that whilst LSAs did support key aspects of the capability approach, they felt unsure if every part of their role could be based on it due to a range of factors beyond their control, such as parental expectations and the school’s deployment of the LSAs. Possibilities for future research, such as the impact of higher-education on LSAs’ ability to further the capability approach, are discussed briefly.

Children Diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder and Their Parents: A Qualitative Study about Perceptions of Living with APD

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (07) ◽  
pp. 610-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lawton ◽  
Suzanne C. Purdy ◽  
Rose Thomas Kalathottukaren
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Auditory Processing Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
The Impact

AbstractNegative psychosocial consequences have been reported for children with auditory processing disorder (APD). The current literature surrounding APD does not sufficiently address the emotional and psychological consequences of living with the disorder. It is recommended that data be collected from multiple sources, including the child living with APD. Subjective reports of the perceptions of children with APD and their families have real-life validity and can inform clinical decisions and guide future research.The aims of this study were to explore the psychosocial consequences of APD as perceived by children with the disorder and their parents.Qualitative cross-sectional study.Thirteen participants were interviewed: six children with APD, aged 10–12 yr, and one parent for each child (in one case, two parents participated in the interview).Semistructured interviews were used to examine the social, emotional, and educational well-being of children with APD. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to develop themes that illustrated the experiences of living with APD.Three themes were identified forming a causal network conceptual framework that is reciprocal in nature: (1) external factors, (2) internal problems, and (3) coping. The themes revealed how APD impacted negatively on children’s psychosocial well-being (internal problems: covert thoughts, overt behaviors) and described the basis for these outcomes (external factors: environmentally based problems, dissatisfaction with support) and the ability of children and their parent(s) to manage the impact of APD (coping: positive, negative).The three themes identified in this research provide a novel understanding of the experience of APD. The themes reflect the psychosocial consequences of external factors that are created internally through “thought” and expressed externally through “behavior.” Pathways to support positive coping strategies while discouraging negative coping strategies will enable children to overcome problems and improve their psychosocial well-being.

scholarly journals Can healthy checkout counters in supermarkets promote healthier food choices? Two real-life experiments in supermarkets in a disadvantaged urban area in the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlijn Huitink ◽  
Maartje P. Poelman ◽  
Jacob C. Seidell ◽  
Lothar D. J. Kuijper ◽  
Trynke Hoekstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Unhealthy Snacks

Abstract Background Most foods displayed at supermarket checkouts are unhealthy and do not support healthy purchases. This study investigates the sales effects of introducing healthier alternatives at supermarket checkouts. Methods We performed two real-life quasi-experimental studies in supermarkets located in a disadvantaged urban area in the Netherlands. In Study 1, we examined the impact of substituting healthier options for all the unhealthy snacks at checkouts (n = 1 supermarket). In Study 2, we investigated the impact of placing healthier snacks at checkouts (placement intervention), as well as the impact of offering a discount on healthier checkout snacks (placement + price intervention), while continuing to display unhealthy snacks for sale (n = 2 supermarkets). Supermarket sales data were used to measure purchases. Results In Study 1, median weekly sales/1000 customers of checkout snacks were 2.3 times lower (SE: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.9–2.7) during the intervention period – when healthier options were substituted for the entire unhealthy snack assortment – (median: 10, IQR: 2.8), as compared to the control period (median: 24, IQR: 2.8). In Study 2, median daily sales/1000 customers of healthier snacks were 2.1 times higher (SE: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.3–3.3) during the placement-intervention period (median: 7.8, IQR: 4.6), as compared to the control period (median: 4.2, IQR: 4.6). Similarly, median daily sales/1000 customers of healthier snacks were 2.7 times higher (SE: 1.2, 95%CI: 2.0–3.6) during the placement + price-intervention period (median: 5.8, IQR: 2.2), as compared to the control period (median: 2.2, IQR: 4.7). There was no difference between the effect of the placement intervention and that of the placement + price intervention (ratio: 1.1, SE: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.7–1.9). Neither did we observe a decline in purchases of unhealthy snacks (ratio: 1.3, SE: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1–1.5). Conclusions This study showed that if we want to promote healthier food purchases at supermarket checkouts the substitution of the unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives is an effective intervention, which is not the case if the unhealthy snacks remain in place at the checkouts, even with discounts on the healthier snacks. Future research should assess the feasibility and willingness of eliminating unhealthy checkout snacks in supermarkets.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document