Level Cognitive Processes Research Articles

The Intellectual Demands and Coherency of Topics of Reformed Primary Science Curricula from Three East-Asian Regions

The intended curriculum is arguably one of the most important components within any national educational system although those in primary science have not been subject to extensive research scrutiny. Based on reformed primary science curricula from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, we compared them on two key features: (1) levels of knowledge and cognitive processes from their learning outcomes, and (2) coherency of topics that influence the ease, meaningfulness, and quality of learning in the subject. In the former, we coded their intellectual demands (i.e., what learners must know and do) using revised Bloom’s taxonomy while for the latter, we investigated the coverage, focus, sequence, and emphasis of topics across grades. We found that curricula from Hong Kong and mainland China generally focused on the first two levels of knowledge domains and cognitive processes while Taiwanese learning outcomes were predominantly coded as Apply. Different aspects of coherency in the intended curriculum revealed which topics were covered, their focus, and sequencing across grade divisions as well as their emphasis of topics. Our empirical research therefore adds to the small number of comparative studies in primary science curricula. It can also practically assist policy- and curriculum-making in these regions as they seek to understand and develop quality curricula in primary science.

11. Sınıf Felsefe Ders Kitabı’nda yer alan soruların üst düzey düşünme becerileri açısından incelenmesi

The present study aimed to investigate the questions included in the 11th grade Philosophy Coursebook prepared in 2018 by the Ministry of Education in Turkey in terms of higher-order thinking skills. Document analysis was utilized in the study, and frequencies and percentages were used in answering the first sub-research question. Cognitive processes domain of Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy was utilized in conducting analyses to answer the second sub-research question. And Moodley’s (2013) categorization supported the analyses to answer the third sub-research question. The results suggested that the distribution of warm-up, practice, discussion, text analysis, writing, and measurement and evaluation questions were organized in a similar systematic across the coursebook. As a result of the research, not only summative but also formative assessment methods were included in the coursebook. Most of the questions were in the understand level of cognitive processes. The book included only a limited number of questions on the ‘apply’, ‘analyze’, and ‘create’ levels included in Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most of the questions were designed for the mid-level of the cognitive domain and the low-level questions were the second most frequently used questions. Only 6.1 % of the questions were designed for high-levels of the cognitive domain. Last but not least sample questions for the analyze, evaluate, and create dimensions were prepared in an effort to encourage more frequent uses of such types of questions.

Music Listening as Coping Behavior: From Reactive Response to Sense-Making.

Coping is a survival mechanism of living organisms. It is not merely reactive, but also involves making sense of the environment by rendering sensory information into percepts that have meaning in the context of an organism’s cognitions. Music listening, on the other hand, is a complex task that embraces sensory, physiological, behavioral, and cognitive levels of processing. Being both a dispositional process that relies on our evolutionary toolkit for coping with the world and a more elaborated skill for sense-making, it goes beyond primitive action–reaction couplings by the introduction of higher-order intermediary variables between sensory input and effector reactions. Consideration of music-listening from the perspective of coping treats music as a sound environment and listening as a process that involves exploration of this environment as well as interactions with the sounds. Several issues are considered in this regard such as the conception of music as a possible stressor, the role of adaptive listening, the relation between coping and reward, the importance of self-regulation strategies in the selection of music, and the instrumental meaning of music in the sense that it can be used to modify the internal and external environment of the listener.

Finnish students’ enjoyment and anxiety levels during fitness testing classes

ABSTRACT Background: Fitness testing is a commonly applied learning and teaching practice implemented in both secondary and elementary school physical education (PE). Many teachers believe that by using a variety of different tests, they are able to provide students with feedback regarding their fitness status, and furthermore, increase students’ willingness to be physically active later in their lives. However, empirical evidence concerning students’ affective responses during fitness testing classes is limited. Purpose: The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether students’ perceptions of enjoyment and anxiety differed between two different types of fitness testing classes and PE in general. In addition, the measurement invariances over time and between Grade 5 (aged 11–12) and Grade 8 (aged 14–15) groups were determined. Method: A total sample of 645 Finnish Grade 5 (N = 328, 50% boys, mean age = 11.2, SD = 0.36) and Grade 8 students (N = 317, 47% boys, mean age = 14.2, SD = 0.35) participated in the study. Series of multi-group confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the level of measurement invariance between general PE and fitness testing classes, and between age groups. Strict factorial invariance was supported for both enjoyment and anxiety scales allowing for latent mean comparisons. Latent mean differences were studied using z-tests. Results: Grade 5 students perceived significantly lower levels of enjoyment and cognitive processes and a higher level of somatic anxiety in fitness testing classes compared to general PE. Additionally, for Grade 8 students, levels of enjoyment and cognitive processes were significantly lower and somatic anxiety and worry higher in fitness testing classes than in general PE. Furthermore, enjoyment was significantly higher, and cognitive processes, somatic anxiety and worry lower among Grade 5 students compared with Grade 8 students in both contextual PE and during fitness testing class. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that students’ perceptions of enjoyment were lower in fitness testing classes compared to PE in general. Additionally, students perceived lower levels of cognitive anxiety and higher levels of somatic anxiety in fitness testing classes than in general PE. It is noteworthy that students might not significantly dislike fitness testing per se but instead have significantly more positive affects towards PE in general. Generally, practitioners conducting fitness testing lessons are encouraged to embrace different strategies such as fostering basic psychological needs or promoting mastery climate to facilitate enjoyment and diminish anxiety.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Differentiated Instructional Approaches for Teaching Math to Preschoolers with Different Levels of Executive Functions

Previous studies have found that the development of mathematical abilities, along with the development of executive functions, predict students’ subsequent academic performance. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of teaching the concept of area to preschool children with different levels of cognitive processes (CP) including executive functions and short-term memory. The experiment introduced the concept by using three different instructional approaches: traditional, contextual, and modeling. The sample included 100 children aged 6–7 years (M = 6.5 years), of whom 43% were boys. Each experimental condition included children with low, middle, and high levels of CP, as determined based on the NEPSY-II subtests. The children with low CP levels showed higher results in assimilating the notion of area after being taught using the contextual approach. In contrast, children with high CP levels showed a higher mastery of the concept of area following the use of the modeling approach. The results suggest the importance of CP development in building ways of mastering mathematical content. This contributes to choosing the optimal path of teaching mathematics for preschoolers, taking into account the development of their cognitive processes to improve their academic performance.

Neurovascular and cortical responses to hyperoxia: enhanced cognition and electroencephalographic activity despite reduced perfusion

Extreme aviation is accompanied by ever-present risks of hypobaric hypoxia and decompression sickness. Neuroprotection against those hazards is conferred through fractional inspired oxygen ( ) concentrations of 60-100% (hyperoxia). Hyperoxia reduces global cerebral perfusion (gCBF), increases reactive oxygen species within the brain and leads to cell death within the hippocampus. However, an understanding of hyperoxia's effect on cortical activity and concomitant levels of cognitive performance is lacking. This limits our understanding of whether hyperoxia could lower the brain's threshold of tolerance to physiological stressors inherent to extreme aviation, such as high gravitational forces. This study aimed to quantify the impact of hyperoxia upon global cerebral perfusion (gCBF), cognitive performance and cortical electroencephalography (EEG). Hyperoxia evoked a rapid reduction in gCBF, yet cognitive performance and vigilance were enhanced. EEG measurements revealed enhanced alpha power, suggesting less desynchrony, within the cortical temporal regions. Collectively, this work suggests hyperoxia-induced brain hypoperfusion is accompanied by enhanced cognitive processing and cortical arousal. Extreme aviators continually inspire hyperoxic gas to mitigate risk of hypoxia and decompression injury. This neuroprotection carries a physiological cost: reduced cerebral perfusion (CBF). As reduced CBF may increase vulnerability to ever-present physiological challenges during extreme aviation, we defined the magnitude and duration of hyperoxia-induced changes in CBF, cortical electrical activity and cognition in 30 healthy males and females. Magnetic resonance imaging with pulsed arterial spin labelling provided serial measurements of global CBF (gCBF), first during exposure to 21% inspired oxygen ( ) followed by a 30-min exposure to 100% . High-density EEG facilitated characterization of cortical activity during assessment of cognitive performance, also measured during exposure to 21% and 100% . Acid-base physiology was measured with arterial blood gases. We found that exposure to 100% reduced gCBF to 63% of baseline values across all participants. Cognitive performance testing at 21% was accompanied by increased theta and beta power with decreased alpha power across multiple cortical areas. During cognitive testing at 100% , alpha activity was less desynchronized within the temporal regions than at 21% . The collective hyperoxia-induced changes in gCBF, cognitive performance and EEG were similar across observed partial pressures of arterial oxygen ( ), which ranged between 276-548 mmHg, and partial pressures of arterial carbon dioxide ( ), which ranged between 34-50 mmHg. Sex did not influence gCBF response to 100% . Our findings suggest hyperoxia-induced reductions in gCBF evoke enhanced levels of cortical arousal and cognitive processing, similar to those occurring during a perceived threat.

Examining the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown in Wuhan and Lombardy: A Psycholinguistic Analysis on Weibo and Twitter.

Many countries are taking strict quarantine policies to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) around the world, such as city lockdown. Cities in China and Italy were locked down in the early stage of the pandemic. The present study aims to examine and compare the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on individuals’ psychological states in China and Italy. We achieved the aim by (1) sampling Weibo users (geo-location = Wuhan, China) and Twitter users (geo-location = Lombardy, Italy); (2) fetching all the users’ published posts two weeks before and after the lockdown in each region (e.g., the lockdown date of Wuhan was 23 January 2020); (3) extracting the psycholinguistic features of these posts using the Simplified Chinese and Italian version of Language Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) dictionary; and (4) conducting Wilcoxon tests to examine the changes in the psycholinguistic characteristics of the posts before and after the lockdown in Wuhan and Lombardy, respectively. Results showed that individuals focused more on “home”, and expressed a higher level of cognitive process after a lockdown in both Wuhan and Lombardy. Meanwhile, the level of stress decreased, and the attention to leisure increased in Lombardy after the lockdown. The attention to group, religion, and emotions became more prevalent in Wuhan after the lockdown. Findings provide decision-makers timely evidence on public reactions and the impacts on psychological states in the COVID-19 context, and have implications for evidence-based mental health interventions in two countries.

Analisis hasil belajar fisika siswa ditinjau dari persepsinya terhadap pembelajaran pada materi hukum newton tentang gerak di kelas X SMA di kota Padang

The results of the analysis of the documentation of physics learning outcomes of class X students in the city of Padang, showed that student learning outcomes on Newton's Law of Motion occupied the lowest value compared to other material. This shows that in the learning process students get various difficulties. This study aims to a) determine the tendency of students 'perceptions of physics learning on Newton's law material about motion, b) determine the quality of student learning outcomes on Newton's law material about motion, c) the contribution of students' perceptions of physics learning on Newton's law material about motion towards results student learning in the semester January-June 2019, and d) reveal various problems experienced by students in the physics learning process in terms of perception. This research belongs to the type of correlational descriptive research. The research sample was drawn using Stratified Random Sampling technique. The number of samples obtained was 60 students representing students with high, medium and less grades who came from 4 public high schools and 1 private high school. Research data on perceptions were obtained using an instrument in the form of a questionnaire consisting of 60 items of statements and learning outcome data obtained through 24 items arranged based on 4 dimensions of knowledge and 6 levels of cognitive processes in the revised Bloom taxonomy. The research instrument used has fulfilled the feasibility through its validity and reliability test. Data processing is done through percentage techniques and Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis after fulfilling the test requirements for analysis, normality and linearity. The results showed that a) the students' average perception of learning physics in Newton's law material about motion was in the high category with a value of 2.74 from a maximum value of 4, b) student's physics learning outcomes in Newton's law material about motion in the low category with an average value of 48, c) there is a significant positive relationship between students' perceptions with their learning outcomes in Newton's law material about motion with a contribution of 61.3%, and d) revealed 10 factors that cause students difficulty in learning Newton's law material about motion according to students' perceptions.

A randomized trial to examine the mechanisms of cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness-based psychosocial treatments for chronic pain: Study protocol

This randomized trial will evaluate the mechanisms of three chronic pain treatments: cognitive therapy (CT), mindfulness meditation (MM), and activation skills (AS). We will determine the extent to which late-treatment improvement in primary outcome (pain interference) is predicted by early-treatment changes in cognitive content, cognitive process, and/or activity level. The shared versus specific role of these mechanisms across the three treatments will be evaluated during treatment (Primary Aim), and immediately post-treatment to examine relapse mechanisms (Secondary Aim).We will enroll 300 individuals with chronic pain (with low back pain as a primary or secondary condition), with 240 projected to complete the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to eight, 1.5 h telehealth group sessions of CT, MM, or AS. Mechanisms and outcomes will be assessed twice daily during 2-week baseline, 4-week treatment period, and 4-week post-treatment epoch via random cue-elicited ecological momentary assessment (EMA); activity level will be monitored during these time epochs via daily monitoring with ActiGraph technology. The primary outcome will be measured by the PROMIS 5-item Pain Interference scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) will be used to test the primary aims. This study is pre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03687762).This study will determine the temporal sequence of lagged mediation effects to evaluate rates of change in outcome as a function of change in mediators. The findings will provide an empirical basis for enhancing and streamlining psychosocial chronic pain interventions. Further, results will guide future efforts towards optimizing maintenance of gains to effectively reduce relapse risk.

Depressive Symptoms and Blood Pressure

Abstract. In the present investigation it is hypothesized that depressive symptoms and antidepressant therapy are associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, in additional analyses, the interaction effects of age, gender, and depressive symptoms are estimated, and discussed in the context of previous findings. Data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) were analyzed ( N = 7,987) by means of multi-response Bayesian hierarchical regression models. Missing data were imputed by the method of chain equations. Independent variables included depressive symptoms, antidepressant medication, gender, age, smoking, physical activity, family history of hypertension, body mass index, and antihypertensive medication. The estimates obtained in the multi-response model revealed that depressive symptoms were negatively associated with arterial blood pressure (−0.09, 99% CI [−0.147; −0.040]). Antidepressant therapy was found to be positively associated with increased blood pressure (1.035, 99% CI [0.333; 1.990]). There were negative interaction effects of depressive symptoms and age among women only (−0.006 99% CI [−0.010; −0.001]). The results agree with previous findings reporting a negative association between depressive symptoms and blood pressure. In addition, regarding the trajectory of blood pressure across the lifespan, interaction effects of depressive symptoms and age were found among females. The results indicate a linear increase in blood pressure with increasing age which, however, tends to flatten and decrease by around age 55 in both males and females. Potential physiological mechanisms may be related to affect regulation taking place at higher levels of cognitive processing and affecting blood pressure regulation, and/or cardiovascular mechanisms related to cerebral blood flow, arterial blood pressure, and depressive symptoms which have not been sufficiently explained so far.

Social Media Learning Activities (SMLA): Implications for Design

This study explored how experienced faculty are using social media to support student learning. It analysed the types of social media learning activities (SMLAs), their design, the cognitive processes that they support, and the types of knowledge that students engage in when completing SMLAs. Data gathered from five different cases of six faculty using social media in their courses revealed that social media has the potential to support student learning and promote different levels of cognitive processes and types of knowledge. Results also revealed that experienced faculty select social media tools based on their technology features or their popularity in the field of study, and they recommend integrating several media sources in the design of a single SMLA. Furthermore, this study suggested that experienced faculty who use social media, specifically wikis and blogs, use them as Learning Management Systems. Finally, the social factor of social media was not evident in the design of the learning activities, and faculty reported promoting more dialogue in their revised SMLA. The findings of this study yielded significant considerations for faculty when designing SMLA.

Analysis of student’s understanding about Newton’s laws, in terms of perceptions to learning in senior high school

The results of student’s analysis of physics mastery of class X in several high schools in the city of Padang, showed the lowest value found in Newton‘s laws of motion. This shows that students experience various obstacles in mastering this material. One of them is the factor of the perception of students towards learning physics. This study aims to reveal the tendency of students’ perceptions of learning physics in Newton‘s law material, student mastery, their relationship and the factors of difficulty in learning Newton’s laws of motion, in terms of student perception. This study included descriptive correlational study in high school in Padang city in semester from January to June 2019. With stratified random sampling technique obtained by 60 students as samples to represent a clever student, medium and less, which is derived from 4 SMA and one private school. The instrument used to obtain data, in the form of 60 items of perception questionnaires and 24 items of mastery of material compiled based on a grid combination of 4 dimensions of knowledge and 6 levels of cognitive processes refers to Bloom’s revised taxonomy. The instrument used has fulfilled its validity and reliability. The results showed that a) the perception of students towards learning the laws of Newton at the high category, b) mastery of physics students are on the low category, c) There are positive correlation between the perceptions of teaching physics with students mastery to the material laws Newton‘s motion, with 36.2% contribution. b) The proportion of understanding dimensions of students’ knowledge: factual, conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive respectively, are 51.42 %, 36.88 %, 13.96 %, and 4,54 %. c) the proportion of mastery of cognitive process levels for the ability to remember, understand, apply, analyse, evaluate and create are: 54.44 %, 33.56 %, 38.75 %, 14.44 %, 13.19 % and 5.81 %. d) study difficulties were found in learning Newton’s law materials according to the perceptions of students, in terms of factors: students individual; properties inherent in physical matter; and student learning conditions created by the teacher.

АВТОНАРАТИВ ЯК ЗАСІБ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ І РЕОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ ЖИТТЄВОГО ШЛЯХУ ОСОБИСТОСТІ ПАЦІЄНТА

У статті висвітлено результати теоретичного та емпіричного дослідження можливостей автонаративу в діагностиці особливостей особистості та життєвого шляху пацієнта в ситуації трав­мівного досвіду. З’ясовано, що основні напрями дослідження будуються навколо розгляду автона­ративу за­со­бом конструювання, побудови внутрішніх смислів особистості та вивчення його як способу презентації внутрішнього змісту особистості. Описано групи пацієнтів за типом ставлення до хвороби: умовно-адаптивний, інтрапсихічний дезадаптивний, інтерпсихічний дезадаптивний. За результатами емпіричного дослідження здійснено класифікацію автонаративів досліджуваних відповідно до характеру вияву в них емоційних переживань. Здійснено якісний і кількісний аналіз отриманих емпіричних даних. Найбільш раціо­нальними та позитивно налаштованими виявились автонаративи пацієнтів із умовно-адаптивним ти­пом ставлення до хвороби У групі пацієнтів із інтрапсихічною спрямованістю дезадаптації перева­жають емоційно-нейтральні та емоційно-негативні автонаративи. Для групи з інтерпсихічною дезадап­тацією характерними є автонаративи емоційно-негативного та раціонального типу. Відтак, у автонаративах пацієнтів виокремлено істотні для реорганізації травматичної події показники: 1) рівень когнітивної об­робки події (раціоналізації), 2) позитивне/негативне емоційне тло сприймання травматичної події, 3) наяв­ність позитивних очікувань від майбутнього. Проаналізовано особливості вживання «когнітивних» та «афективних» синтагм різними групами пацієнтів залежно від типу ставлення до хвороби. Доведено, що активне, дієве ставлення до процесу одужання відображається в автонаративах, виокремлено відповідні пси­хо­лінгвістичні маркери. Отже, більш конструктивним для збереження здоров’я виявляється раціо­нальна інтерпретація подій власного життя через усвідомлене осмислення свого життя та когнітивних схем відображення дійсності. У висновках сформульовано загальні напрямки психокореційної роботи з пацієнтами залежно від типу їхнього ставлення до хвороби та перспективи подальших досліджень

Individual preferences for task coordination strategies in multitasking: exploring the link between preferred modes of processing and strategies of response organization

Recent investigation of individual differences in multitasking revealed evidence for individual preferences for modes of task processing (serial vs. overlapping) in a task switching with preview (TSWP) paradigm and different strategies of response organization (blocking, switching, and response grouping) in a free concurrent dual-tasking (FCDT) paradigm. However, this research on individual differences at the levels of cognitive task processing and behavioral response organization has been pursued separately, thus far, by testing independent samples of participants. In the current study, we investigated whether these two levels of task coordination were linked intra-individually. As individuals preferring an overlapping task processing mode can generate time gains particularly at task switches, we predicted that they prefer a switching strategy of response organization. In contrast, individuals preferring a serial processing mode are expected to prefer a blocking strategy to reduce dual-task demands. These predictions were confirmed in an experiment based on n = 70 participants. Indeed, most serial processors preferred a blocking strategy, whereas overlapping processors predominantly preferred to switch between the tasks. This finding suggests a strong correspondence between individual preferences emerging in both aspects of task coordination, which might reflect a common basic difference in the preferred style of cognitive control (flexible vs. persistent). Moreover, in case the preferred modes of task processing and strategies of response organization did not correspond to each other, the overall multitasking efficiency was comparably low. Thus, the distinction between the preferences for both aspects of multitasking seems to be an important aspect of understanding multitasking performance and should be considered in future studies.

The role of low-grade inflammation in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - associations with symptoms

BackgroundPatients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) often present with a range of flu-like symptoms resembling sickness behavior as well as widespread pain and concentration deficits. The aim of this study was to explore the association between inflammatory markers previously shown to be related to fatigue severity in ME/CFS and common ME/CFS symptoms post-exertional fatigue, impaired cognitive processing, musculoskeletal pain and recurrent flu-like symptoms, and the moderating effect of sex on these associations. Methods53 adult patients diagnosed with ME/CFS at a specialist clinic were included in the study. Fasting blood plasma was analyzed using the Olink Proseek Multiplex Inflammation panel (β-NGF, CCL11, CXCL1, CXCL10, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, TGF-α, TGF-β-1 and SCF) and BioRad Human Cytokine Type 1 assay (TNF-α). Participants rated the average severity of symptoms (0–10) based on the 2011 International Consensus Criteria of ME/CFS during a structured clinical interview. Associations between inflammatory markers and symptom severity were analyzed using bivariate correlations and moderated regression analyses bootstrapped with 5000 repetitions. Results and conclusionsOnly β-NGF was associated with the fatigue severity measure. However, higher levels of CCL11, CXCL10, IL-7, TNF-α and TGF-β-1 were significantly associated with higher levels of impaired cognitive processing and musculoskeletal pain, and sex was a significant moderator for CXCL10, IL-7 and TGF-β-1. Future studies should investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and key symptoms in ME/CFS in a longitudinal design in order to explore if and for whom low-grade inflammation may contribute to illness development.

Queueing Network Based Driver Model for Varying Levels of Information Processing

With growing interest in the topic of smart computing and context-aware services, identifying driver's intention has become important in automotive industry. Among existing studies on driver assistance systems, few studies have used the concept of the levels of processing (LOP) to understand driver's information processing. This paper introduces experimental and computational studies that connect human behavior data to internal goal of a driver when an in-vehicle task involves visual search. In the case of consuming information displayed on a car instrument cluster, we considered two levels of information processing, perceptual and cognitive. Through an empirical study, we observed different human oculomotor behaviors that depend on the LOP by evaluating the reaction time (RT) and eye movement patterns. Further, we suggested different ways of information processing that can be represented as different routes in the underlying cognitive architecture of a queueing network. Simulation study demonstrated that trends in simulated oculomotor behavior were similar to those observed in the experiment, that is, RT at the cognitive LOP was shorter than that at the perceptual LOP, while eyes fixated for shorter duration and with lower frequency. In terms of application, this study reveals the possibility of using human-generated data for evaluating the innate purposes of drivers. Together with further development of sensors and invasive computing, the approach proposed in this paper could assist the realization of cognitive cars by understanding drivers’ intent using eye tracking technology.

The Cognitive Neuroscience Methods in the Analysis of the Impact of Advertisements in Shaping People's Health Habits*

Purpose: The aim of the article is to present the use of selected techniques of cognitive neuroscience (EEG, GSR, HR) to study the effectiveness of social advertising in the context of promoting a healthy lifestyle. The respondents' reactions (emotions, remembering, interest) to individual fragments of the advertisement will be analyzed. The results of neural and psychophysiological measurements will be compared with the survey participants' answers provided in the survey (after the study with EEG, GSR, etc.). Design/Methodology/Approach: The cognitive neuroscience methods, allow building knowledge about human and its behavior at the level of internal psychophysiological and cognitive processes before they are integrated and verbalized in the form of an opinion or judgment on a given topic. Findings: The developments of cognitive neuroscience technique have made this discipline applicable to more and more new areas of research. These possibilities are mainly the outcome of the development in techniques for measuring brain activity and their combinations with other technologies, eg biometric measurements. They allow to correlate various mental functions with physiological sensations. Practical implications: One of the applications is to study the impact of social health-promoting advertisements (healthy lifestyle, vaccinations, etc.) on recipients. A well-conducted social campaign with the proper design of an information message (advertisement) can directly transform it into shaping healthy life habits among people. Originality/Value: The research will allow the verification of the idea proposed by the researcher to promote healthy life habits among people.

Is sensory processing sensitivity related to treatment outcome in concentrated exposure and response prevention treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

It has been debated whether concentrated exposure and response prevention (ERP) is too difficult to tolerate for some patients. This report therefore uses quality assurance data looking into whether sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) affects treatment outcome among patients with OCD. SPS is a personality trait regarding heightened levels of emotional reactivity and deeper cognitive processing of emotional stimuli. Patients received concentrated exposure treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They were assessed with one of the most widely used questionnaires for measuring SPS, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS). Analyses tested whether HSPS scores at pre-treatment affected treatment outcome, and if sensitivity changed from pre-to post-treatment. Results revealed there was no significant relation between sensitivity and treatment outcome after controlling for pre-treatment levels of OCD, depression, and anxiety. HSPS scores were significantly reduced after treatment (d = 1.22). This indicates that concentrated ERP is suitable also for patients scoring high on HSPS, and the main conclusion is that patients’ sensitivity does not hinder treatment response.

Using Ontology as a Strategy for Modeling the Interface Between the Cognitive and Robotic Systems

This work contributes to the social robotics area by defining an architecture, called Cognitive Model Development Environment (CMDE) that models the interaction between cognitive and robotic systems. The communication between these systems is formalized with the definition of an ontology, called OntPercept, that models the perception of the environment using the information captured by the sensors present in the robotic system. The formalization offered by the OntPercept ontology simplifies the development, reproduction and comparison of experiments. The validation of the results required the development of two additional components. The first, called Robot House Simulator (RHS), provides an environment where robot and human can interact socially with increasing levels of cognitive processing. The second component is represented by the cognitive system that models the behavior of the robot with the support of artificial intelligence based systems.

Musicians Show Better Auditory and Tactile Identification of Emotions in Music.

Musicians are better at processing sensory information and at integrating multisensory information in detection and discrimination tasks, but whether these enhanced abilities extend to more complex processes is still unknown. Emotional appeal is a crucial part of musical experience, but whether musicians can better identify emotions in music throughout different sensory modalities has yet to be determined. The goal of the present study was to investigate the auditory, tactile and audiotactile identification of emotions in musicians. Melodies expressing happiness, sadness, fear/threat, and peacefulness were played and participants had to rate each excerpt on a 10-point scale for each of the four emotions. Stimuli were presented through headphones and/or a glove with haptic audio exciters. The data suggest that musicians and control are comparable in the identification of the most basic (happiness and sadness) emotions. However, in the most difficult unisensory identification conditions (fear/threat and peacefulness), significant differences emerge between groups, suggesting that musical training enhances the identification of emotions, in both the auditory and tactile domains. These results support the hypothesis that musical training has an impact at all hierarchical levels of sensory and cognitive processing.