Assessing the Perception of Educational Content at Various Levels of Multimedia

Introduction. The development of information technologies and innovations in education calls for the need for an objective assessment of their impact on cognitive processes, psychological and physiological reactions of students. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of the level of multimedia on the effectiveness of training, as well as the psychological and physiological state of students, which characterizes the comfort/discomfort of being in an educational environment. Materials and Methods. Qualitative data analysis methods are: pre- and post-tests after the experience of perceiving educational content at various levels of multimedia to measure the learning outcomes of the experiment participants. Psychodiagnostic methods are: Ch. Spielberger's questionnaire modified by Yu.L. Khanin (level of personal and situational anxiety) for measuring the level of situational anxiety (ST) before and after the training stage. Questionnaire SAN by Yu. Doskin (state of health, activity, mood) was used for evaluating the level of SAN (before and after the training stage). Evaluation of endogenous time was done by counting by the duration of an individual minute (before and after the learning stage). An adapted version of the Dissociative Experience Scale was used for measuring mood before and after the learning phase. Physiological methods are the hemodynamic parameters. Results. Analysis of the findings adduces to best learning in an immersive environment, which is confirmed by the results of pre- and post-testing, apart from that, interaction in a virtual environment facilitated the increase in the index of positive emotions and decreased the level of situational anxiety. The study of students’ physiological reaction in this environment revealed insignificant fluctuations in hemodynamic parameters ‒ an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which may adduce to the activation of the sympathetic tone of the autonomic system, providing a stress response, in our case, to a new format of training. The least psychologically comfortable environment for learning was the linear multimedia environment (video presentation) which caused a statistically significant increase in the level of anxiety and a decrease in the duration of an individual minute. Staying and studying in the hypermedia environment was comfortable for students, moderately increasing the index of positive and statistically significant decreasing the index of negative emotions, as well as a decrease in blood pressure. The latter may be indicative of a decrease in the degree of tension in the sympathetic part of the nervous system of the respondents who were in the hypermedia environment. Discussion and Conclusion. The article will be of interest to teachers who use innovative technologies in their practice, to developers of educational content in the virtual reality or hypermedia environment, as well as to government authorities that make strategic decisions regarding innovative approaches to education.

The study of the individual psychological and psychophysiological status of law enforcement officers depending on the level of vital threats

The article is devoted to the study of psychological and psychophysiological features in extreme situations in the activities of law enforcement officials, leading to life threat. The aim of the study was to identify differences in the structure of individual psychological characteristics and psychophysiological parameters among law enforcement officials depending on the severity of the level of vital threats in professional activities. The relevance of the theoretical foundations of the research problem. The concept of "risk" is defined. It is noted that in the activities of employees there is a hazard factor that determines the predisposition to the risk of vital threats. The “Research Methodology” section is devoted to the consideration of methods and techniques for researching the psychological and psychophysiological characteristics of employees, depending on the severity of vital threats in the activity. The study is conducted for the first time using the following methods: Personality structure and temperament questionnaire R. Kloninger, the “Semantic Differential Time” methodology, the methods for determining the complex sensorimotor reaction (CCMR), Hand-test E. Wagner, and the “Individual Minute” methodology. Methods of statistical processing of research materials are indicated. The results are presented in the form of tables and descriptions of the obtained research data. A comparative analysis of the individual psychological and psychophysiological characteristics of employees who are faced with situations of threats to life and health and are not faced with those in professional activities is carried out. At the end of the article, specific conclusions and practical recommendations to psychologists of law enforcement agencies on the research problem are presented.

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL MINUTE DATA AND THE Р300 AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIAL IN YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF INTERNET ADDICTION BEHAVIOR

Background. The nature of changes in cerebral biopotentials as a neurobiological foundation of individual time in persons with different levels of internet addiction behavior remains insufficiently studied. However, these biopotentials reflect decision making speed and the quality of significant stimulus detection by brain structures. The paper aims to establish the correlation between the P300 cognitive evoked potential and individual minute (IM) test in young people with different levels of Internet addiction (IA) risk. Materials and methods. Healthy young people aged 16-17 years (n = 51) participated in the study. The survey was conducted according to the Chen scale (CIAS – Chen Internet Addiction Scale) modified by V. Malygin. This modification implies the calculation of the CIAS total score and the subjective assessment of time intervals by the IM test. The amplitude and latency of the P 300 auditory evoked potential were determined using the Neuron-Spectrum - 4 /VMP electroencephalograph (Neurosoft, Russia) in the frontal (F3, F4), temporal (F7, F8, T3, T4), central (C3, C4) and parietal (P3, P4) leads of the electroencephalogram. Results. No significant correlations were found between the IM time, P 300 data and the severity of IA signs in young people with a minimal risk of IA (less than 43 scores by CIAS). There was a decrease in the IM time and an increase in P300 amplitude (mainly in the frontal and anterior temporal areas) in persons with a risk of IA (43–65 scores by CIAS). In persons with a stable IA pattern (more than 65 scores by CIAS), the minimum P 300 amplitude in the F7, F8 brain areas was found against a relative increase in the IM time and the number of errors in decision making. Conclusion. An increased risk of Internet addiction behavior in young people is accompanied by phase changes in the ratios of P 300 amplitude (mainly in the anterior temporal areas), the quality of information processing and individual time perception.

PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ADAPTATION IN FOREIGN STUDENTS WITH WEAKENED HEALTH

Background: About 40% of foreign students from 150 countries of the world study at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Unusual environment, other sociocultural traditions, climatic and geographic factors, time-related changes make special demands on the adaptationof foreign students. It is especially difficult for students with health status deviations. Aim: The article aims to assess the psychophysiological parameters of adaptation in foreign students with impaired health status. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on the basis of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Male students aged from 18 to 19 years participated in the study. All students belong to a special medical group for health reasons and are divided into two groups: the control (Russian students, n = 28) and experimental (foreign students, n = 35) groups. To assess the psychophysiological features of adaptation, the indicators of response to light and sound stimuli were used, as well as the test of maximum oxygen consumption, the duration of individual minutes, and the orthostatic test conducted with the help of Sports psychophysiologist hardware and software complex (no. 2010617789). The obtained data were subjected to variational and statistical analysis using the Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS (version 19.0 for Windows) software. The survey was conducted with the written consent of the students. Results: Significant differences in simple sensorimotor response to light and sound stimuli were revealed in foreign students compared to Russian students (P ≤ 0.05). Also, more than half of the students from both groups had a low level of physical performance. However, males from the experimental group were characterized by lower values. The duration of the individual minute in foreign students with health status deviations is much shorter than in students from the control group. There were no significant differences in the data btained in the orthostatic test. Conclusion: In males of both groups, pathological processes are characterized by a decrease in the functional capacities. However, most psychophysiological parameters are worse in foreign students. This indicates a decrease in the adaptive capacity of students from the experimental group and indirectly indicates the imbalance in the psychophysiological status.

The analysis of psychophysiological features of football players and water sports athletes

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to analyze the psychophysiological characteristics of football players and water sports athletes as factors of professional selection. Materials and methods: The study involved students of a specialized sports school (n = 31, age: 16-17 years). The participants were divided into two groups: group 1 – 20 football players, group 2 – 11 water sports athletes (swimming). The level of sportsmanship is 1 category, Candidates and Masters of Sports. Tests applied: determination of the duration of an individual minute (IM), measuring of a 10 cm segment (SM), determination of simple hand-eye coordination (SHEyC), and simple hand-ear coordination (SHEaC), the technique of “Figures memorizing”, solution of 10 sums. Results: The results of the IM test reflect the prevalence of the earlier test completion. All participants indicated a lower value in 9th test of a segment measuring. The results of the SHEyC and SHEaC of the participants were similar. The results of all tests were less than 10 in the test of “Figures memorizing”. Football players revealed link between coordination and psychophysiological tests results, while swimmers revealed link between coordination and sensory type of tests. Conclusions: The carried out psychophysiological analysis of athletes’ condition of team sports and water sports confirmed the possibility of applying these tests for selection. The results obtained reflect the specific influence of the sport on the athletes’ bodies. These indicators demonstrate the increased requirements for spatial orientation, the importance of reaction to auditory stimuli and the increased ability of football players to control the surrounding space and control the game situation.

Skin wettedness is an important contributor to thermal behavior during exercise and recovery

We tested the hypothesis that mean skin wettedness contributes to thermal behavior to a greater extent than core and mean skin temperatures. In a 27.0 ± 1.0°C environment, 16 young participants (8 females) cycled for 30 min at 281 ± 51 W·m2, followed by 120 min of seated recovery. Mean skin and core temperatures and mean skin wettedness were recorded continuously. Participants maintained a thermally comfortable neck temperature throughout the protocol using a custom-made device. Neck device temperature provided an index of thermal behavior. Linear regression was performed using individual minute data with mean skin wettedness and core and mean skin temperatures as independent variables and neck device temperature as the dependent variable. Standarized β-coefficients were used to determine relative contributions to thermal behavior. Mean skin temperature differed from preexercise (32.6 ± 0.5°C) to 10 min into exercise (32.3 ± 0.6°C, P < 0.01). Core temperature increased from 37.1 ± 0.3°C preexercise to 37.7 ± 0.4°C by end exercise ( P < 0.01) and remained elevated through 30 min of recovery (37.2 ± 0.3°C, P < 0.01). Mean skin wettedness increased from preexercise [0.14 ± 0.03 arbitrary units (AU)] to 20 min into exercise (0.43 ± 0.09 AU, P < 0.01) and remained elevated through 80 min of recovery (0.18 ± 0.06 AU, P ≤ 0.05). Neck device temperature decreased from 26.4 ± 1.6°C preexercise to 18.5 ± 8.7°C 10 min into exercise ( P = 0.03) and remained depressed through 20 min of recovery (14.4 ± 11.2°C, P < 0.01). Mean skin wettedness (52 ± 24%) provided a greater contribution to thermal behavior compared with core (22 ± 22%, P = 0.06) and mean skin (26 ± 16%, P = 0.04) temperatures. Skin wettedness is an important contributing factor to thermal behavior during exercise and recovery.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT CHRONOTYPES

Background: Approximately 30−40% of depressive patients does not improve or show a partial response. Since biological rhythm involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders is regarded as a unique characteristic of a person, it opens new opportunities for personalized medicine.Aim: to evaluate clinical characteristics and treatment effectiveness in depressive patients with different chronotypes.Materials and methods: In prospective, hospital-based study MADRS was performed weekly (dMADRS), therapeutic response (R) was defined as a 50% or greater decrease from baseline in the score. Chronotype was evaluated using the Morningness−Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Participants completed a questionnaire package: HDRS-21, PSQI, ТОВ, «individual minute». Statistical analysis was performed using Excel for Windows, Statistica 13.0.Results: All patients (n=100, mean age 48±16 yrs) were divided into groups based on their circadian type: evening types (ETs) had more severe condition; antidepressants (SSRIs; R=72%) were effective given at morning in ETs, at evening (other; R=100%) ― in morning types (MTs) (p0.00001) with a greater reduction in depressive symptoms (p0.05). Prescribing drugs with balanced potency were effective in both groups (F=4.62, p=0.032). Cluster analysis on 25 clinical, biological, and therapeutic variables to establish the role of chronotype as a factor important for identifying patients with similar socio-demographic, clinical, and health characteristics was conducted. Cluster 1 achieved a reduction of depression severity (19% MTs; R=81%; 43.4±17.7 yrs; single episode; dMADRS 16.9±2.7; 23% monotherapy). Cluster 3 (80% ETs; R=50%; 40.4±15.2; early onset dMADRS 15.23±2.29; 7% monotherapy) was the most unfavorable prognostic group.Conclusions: Depressive patients with morning/evening chronotypes have significant differences in clinical presentation, the course of the illness and efficacy of antidepressants. Evening chronotype was found to be associated with poor prognosis. Circadian typology should be considered when choosing the appropriate therapeutic options.

The features of adaptation possibilities of the suvorov military school students withdifferent chronotype

The article presents the results of the analysis of the chronotype, parameters of the bioelectrograms, indicators of the chronotop spatial-temporal perception of the Suvorov Military School students of 13–14 years old. The representatives of expressed morning chronotype dominate among them. “Individual minute” in the students practically coincides with the astronomical minute. It was found out that the parameter of bioelectrogram «fractality» is above in the students with indifferent chronotype, but “mood” is lower than that in the students with expressed morning chronotype.