Human Behavior Research Articles

Visual hallucinations in psychosis: What do people actually see?

AbstractBackgroundOne in three people with psychosis experience visions. However, little is known about what people see, and current treatments have limited benefits.ObjectivesTo improve the understanding and treatment of visions, this study explored the phenomenology of visions in people with psychosis.MethodsTwelve people with psychosis participated in semi‐structured interviews. Reflective thematic analysis was used.ResultsThree main themes were generated covering important aspects of phenomenology: ‘Content’, ‘Coherence’ and ‘Quality’. The first theme ‘Content: People see people’, demonstrated that the most distressing visions were of people. The second theme ‘Coherence: Visions of people who behave like people’, captured how visions were coherent with real human behaviour, often by being multimodal experiences that spoke to and touched the observer. The third theme, ‘Quality: They look too real’ highlighted the compelling sense of authenticity of the visions, making them indistinguishable from reality.ConclusionVisions represent what we expect to see in everyday life: people, who act and look real. This powerful combination provides insight into the absorbing and all‐encompassing nature of visions and their impact on participant's lives. The framework of ‘Content’, ‘Coherence’ and ‘Quality’ provides guidance to support clinicians and researchers to better explore the phenomenology of visions in psychosis.

Legal Support of Media Security and Cognitive Sovereignty: Challenges of Social Engineering, Hybrid Wars and Web 3.0 Mechanisms (Part 1)

The paper considers the main technologies (including socio-humanitarian ones) that pose challenges to ensure the security of communication in the Internet environment and require the development of new regulatory models. The correlation and interrelationships of the concepts of information, information[1]psychological, reputational and media security; information and cognitive sovereignty; information, cognitive and hybrid warfare; the phenomenon of «soft power», «sociological propaganda», which is important for the unification of the terminological apparatus in this area, are considered. For the first time, from the point of view of jurisprudence, the concept of cognitive sovereignty is comprehensively considered and its components are characterized, including media security, cultural sovereignty, technological sovereignty, managerial sovereignty, and legal security. The research section devoted to the comprehensive consideration of the phenomenon of social engineering is also new, not only as a set of methods of psychological influence aimed at obtaining unauthorized access to data, but also as other complexes of socio-humanitarian technologies for managing meanings, methods and techniques of information and psychological influence on human behavior. The place of legal social engineering in the system of social engineering is considered and the role of the lawyer-strategist (lawyer-lawmaker) is justified as a social engineer who develops models for rationing not only current, but also emerging, predictable social relations. An analysis of the development of cyberspace from the point of view of the concept «Web 1.0 — Web 2.0 — Web 3.0 — Web 3» made it possible, firstly, to develop an author’s feature model of various «types» (stages) of the development of the Internet environment and, secondly, to identify challenges to the law caused by the need to ensure media security and cognitive sovereignty, and also the adaptation of new economic models.

ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПРОЯВУ КОПІНГ-СТРАТЕГІЙ СТУДЕНТІВ З РІЗНИМ РІВНЕМ СТРЕСОСТІЙКОСТІ

Ukrainian society and every Ukrainian family is currently experiencing social and psychological difficulties as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. All this creates a significant number of stressors for the population. Martial law, hostilities, forced changes in living conditions, and constant stress cause people to experience difficulties in maintaining psychological comfort. Therefore, the problem of optimal choice of coping strategies, especially by students, is becoming particularly relevant. The article deals with the issue of individual's choice of behaviour coping strategies. The special significance of the formation and development of this phenomenon in the participants of the educational process of a higher education institution is emphasized. In particular, the emphasis is placed on the difficulties that students are currently facing, namely the consequences of quarantine restrictions, a sense of isolation, internal discomfort and general psycho-emotional stress caused by the martial law in our country. The article focuses on coping strategies as a subconscious means of psychological defence that shapes human behaviour in certain conditions. A theoretical analysis is carried out and meanings of the following concepts are indicated: «coping», «coping strategy», «coping behaviour» and «coping resources», as well as an analysis of the peculiarities of making behavioural choices in certain conditions. The main strategies of behaviour in a stressful situation and the main approaches to the study of coping behaviour and behavioural strategies are analysed. The article reflects empirical indicators of the ratio of dominant coping strategies at different levels of stress resistance. A correlation between the level of stress resistance and coping strategies has been established: with a low level of stress resistance, passive coping strategy dominates; in the presence of a high level - active coping strategies.

The impact of the early environment on oxytocin receptor epigenetics and potential therapeutic implications.

Oxytocin research is rapidly evolving and increasingly reveals that epigenetic modifications to the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) are functional, plastic, and reliable components of oxytocinergic system function. This review outlines how OXTR epigenetics are shaped by the early life environment, impact social-developmental outcomes, and have strong potential to serve as therapeutic targets. We first establish the malleability of OXTR epigenetics in infancy in both animal models and humans through research demonstrating the impact of the early life environment on OXTR DNA methylation (OXTRm) and subsequent social behavior. Next, we detail how OXTRm serves as a predictive mechanism for neurodevelopmental outcomes in animal models of social behavior such as the prairie vole, and summarize the role of OXTRm in psychiatric disorders, emotional processing, and attachment behavior in humans. We discuss the potential of further OXTRm research to improve oxytocin therapeutics by highlighting how a deeper knowledge of OXTRm could improve the therapeutic potential of exogenous oxytocin, how OXTRm may impact additional cellular mechanisms with therapeutic potential including control of the perinatal GABA switch, and how early life therapies may target the tuning of endogenous OXTRm. Finally, we review limitations of previous oxytocin research and make recommendations for future research. IMPACT: Previous research into oxytocin therapeutics has been hampered by methodological difficulties that may be improved by assay of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and its methylation (OXTRm) Key sites of OXTRm modification link early life exposures to developmental and behavioral outcomes OXTRm appears to have a critical period of development in early life Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene could serve as a powerful target for therapeutic interventions.

Agenda for psychological and behavioural science of transformative behavioural change

Abstract Since the emergence of psychological and behavioural science, one of its foundational goals has been to explain human behaviour. Although the discipline has been highly successful in this endeavour, there is an elephant in the room. Psychological and behavioural science has neglected studying the most challenging aspect of human behaviour−transformative behavioural change. This change can be described as a fundamental and difficult-to-achieve shift in someone’s actions that involves a transformation of one’s way of living. Understanding transformative behavioural change is essential not only for psychological and behavioural science to accomplish its foundational goal but also to maintain its contemporary relevance. Indeed, it is imminent that both solving the world’s biggest issues (e.g., climate change) and living through major disruptions (e.g., technological revolution) will require people to transform their behaviour. In this perspective, I first review and discuss previous relevant research, and then propose a seven-step agenda for how psychological and behavioural science can become the science of transformative behavioural change.

Predecisional information search adaptively reduces three types of uncertainty

How do people search for information when they are given the opportunity to freely explore their options? Previous research has suggested that people focus on reducing uncertainty before making a decision, but it remains unclear how exactly they do so and whether they do so consistently. We present an analysis of over 1,000,000 information-search decisions made by over 2,500 individuals in a decisions-from-experience setting that cleanly separates information search from choice. Using a data-driven approach supported by a formal measurement framework, we examine how people allocate samples to options and how they decide to terminate search. Three major insights emerge. First, predecisional information search has at least three drivers that can be interpreted as reducing three types of uncertainty: structural, estimation, and computational. Second, the selection of these drivers of information search is adaptive, sequential, and guided by environmental knowledge that integrates prior expectations, task instructions, and personal experiences. Third, predecisional information search exhibits substantial interindividual heterogeneity, with individuals recruiting different drivers of information search. Together, these insights suggest that human information search is complex in ways that cannot be fully explained by monolithic accounts of information search, including proposals focused on estimation uncertainty or cost-benefit analysis. We conclude that broader theories of human information-search behavior are necessary.

An Empirical Study of the Constituent Factors of Player Behaviour

Background Player behaviour comprises thoughts, decisions and other actions that arise from multiple sources and contexts in games and is based on the players’ complex environment of information, vicarious experiences and perspectives. Learning and superior performance within the game are shaped by the players’ goal orientation, conviction and interactions. Objectives of the study: The study sought to understand the concept, functions and constituents of player behaviour from their perspectives, expectations, beliefs and traits. Recognising player behaviour in terms of its constituent elements would clarify and enhance knowledge of human behaviour and make it simple to use the understanding in deeper enquiry and applications. Method An instrument of 43 statements was first developed based on extant research and refined by the responses of 45 university teachers. It was then administered to 1,260 university students from whom 711 valid responses were received. The sample was processed by exploratory factor analysis under varimax rotation to yield the scale of player behaviour at a Cronbach alpha of .96 and a cumulative variance of 54 percent. Results The seven factors of the scale had an eigenvalue each of more than one, and Cronbach α values of .58 to .90. The exploratory factor analysis generated seven factors that were named conviction, experience sharing, uncertainty, unpredictability, insights, preparedness and planning. Discussion The study identified the factors of player behaviour and studied the effect of gender and education on player behaviour. It showed that player behaviour emerges from convictions which are perspectives backed by ready resources, skills and action plans to simplify, understand and respond to situations and likely problems. The behavioural differences between gender, type of programme and level of education were not significant. The study also discussed the nature of each factor and the limitations, suggestions and implications of the study.

Faecal microbiota composition and impulsivity in a cohort of older adults with metabolic syndrome.

Impulsivity is an important determinant of human behaviour, affecting self-control, reasonable thinking and food choices. Recent evidence suggests a role for gut microbiota in human behaviour, but the relationship between gut microbiota and impulsive behaviours remains largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aims to explore the associations between faecal microbiota composition with trait and behavioural impulsivity, in a subcohort of the PREDIMED-Plus trial, including older adults presenting overweight/obesity. Fecal samples (n = 231) were profiled for their microbiota composition using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and impulsivity was determined through four different assessments. Adherence to different dietary patterns was estimated through questionnaires. Beta diversity analyses showed a significant association with the Conner's Performance Test (CPT) in multivariate-adjusted models, and, in total, 13 bacterial genera associated with CPT. Erysipelotrichaceae UCG 003 showed the highest association with CPT and known butyrate producers such as Butyricicoccus spp., Roseburia spp., and Eubacterium hallii were among the identified bacteria. The bacteria Lachnospiraceae UCG 001, Anaerostipes and Blautia were associated with CPT and also the adherence to healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets. In addition, functional analysis showed a significant negative association between the CPT and the glucuronate and galacturonate metabolic pathways. From the other impulsivity assessments, two more associations were identified, for the genus Phascolarctobacterium with the Stroop test, and the genus Lachnospiraceae GAG 54 with the positive urgency subscore of UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale. Overall, our findings suggest potential links between the faecal microbiota composition and function with behavioural impulsive inattention as determined by the CPT.

Psychosocial Risk to Predict Outcomes after LVAD implantation: A small step forward in predicting human behavior.

Psychosocial Risk to Predict Outcomes after LVAD implantation: A small step forward in predicting human behavior.

Human-like dissociations between confidence and accuracy in convolutional neural networks.

Prior research has shown that manipulating stimulus energy by changing both stimulus contrast and variability results in confidence-accuracy dissociations in humans. Specifically, even when performance is matched, higher stimulus energy leads to higher confidence. The most common explanation for this effect, derived from cognitive modeling, is the positive evidence heuristic where confidence neglects evidence that disconfirms the choice. However, an alternative explanation is the signal-and-variance-increase hypothesis, according to which these dissociations arise from changes in the separation and variance of perceptual representations. Because artificial neural networks lack built-in confidence heuristics, they can serve as a test for the necessity of confidence heuristics in explaining confidence-accuracy dissociations. Therefore, we tested whether confidence-accuracy dissociations induced by stimulus energy manipulations emerge naturally in convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We found that, across three different energy manipulations, CNNs produced confidence-accuracy dissociations similar to those found in humans. This effect was present for a range of CNN architectures from shallow 4-layer networks to very deep ones, such as VGG-19 and ResNet-50 pretrained on ImageNet. Further, we traced back the reason for the confidence-accuracy dissociations in all CNNs to the same signal-and-variance increase that has been proposed for humans: higher stimulus energy increased the separation and variance of evidence distributions in the CNNs' output layer leading to higher confidence even for matched accuracy. These findings cast doubt on the necessity of the positive evidence heuristic to explain human confidence and establish CNNs as promising models for testing cognitive theories of human behavior.

Task-agnostic exoskeleton control via biological joint moment estimation.

Lower-limb exoskeletons have the potential to transform the way we move1-14, but current state-of-the-art controllers cannot accommodate the rich set of possible human behaviours that range from cyclic and predictable to transitory and unstructured. We introduce a task-agnostic controller that assists the user on the basis of instantaneous estimates of lower-limb biological joint moments from a deep neural network. By estimating both hip and knee moments in-the-loop, our approach provided multi-joint, coordinated assistance through our autonomous, clothing-integrated exoskeleton. When deployed during 28 activities, spanning cyclic locomotion to unstructured tasks (for example, passive meandering and high-speed lateral cutting), the network accurately estimated hip and knee moments with an average R2 of 0.83 relative to ground truth. Further, our approach significantly outperformed a best-case task classifier-basedmethod constructed from splines and impedance parameters. When tested on ten activities (including level walking, running, lifting a 25 lb (roughly 11 kg) weight and lunging), our controller significantly reduced user energetics (metabolic cost or lower-limb biological joint work depending on the task) relative to the zero torque condition, ranging from 5.3 to 19.7%, without any manual controller modifications among activities. Thus, this task-agnostic controller can enable exoskeletons to aid users across a broad spectrum of human activities, a necessity for real-world viability.

RF sensing enabled tracking of human facial expressions using machine learning algorithms.

Automatic analysis of facial expressions has emerged as a prominent research area in the past decade. Facial expressions serve as crucial indicators for understanding human behavior, enabling the identification and assessment of positive and negative emotions. Moreover, facial expressions provide insights into various aspects of mental activities, social connections, and physiological information. Currently, most facial expression detection systems rely on cameras and wearable devices. However, these methods have drawbacks, including privacy concerns, issues with poor lighting and line of sight blockage, difficulties in training with longer video sequences, computational complexities, and disruptions to daily routines. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel and privacy-preserving human behavior recognition system that utilizes Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar combined with Machine Learning (ML) techniques for classifying facial expressions. Specifically, the study focuses on five common facial expressions: Happy, Sad, Fear, Surprise, and Neutral. The recorded data is obtained in the form of a Micro-Doppler signal, and state-of-the-art ML models such as Super Learner, Linear Discriminant Analysis, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbor, Long Short-Term Memory, and Logistic Regression are employed to extract relevant features. These extracted features from the radar data are then fed into ML models for classification. The results show a highly promising classification accuracy of 91%. The future applications of the proposed work will lead to advancements in technology, healthcare, security, and communication, thereby improving overall human well-being and societal functioning.

Specific road safety issues in LMICs: an overview and some illustrative examples

This paper gives an overview of the work of PIARC Working Group 3.1.1 ‘Specific road safety issues for LMICs’. The working group performed its activities in the period 2019–2023. We prepared two deliverables: (a) a literature review, and (b) an overview of illustrative examples. The review started from the notion that the road safety problem requires a multi-disciplinary approach. The safe system approach is generally considered as the central concept for this purpose and this starting point is also taken in this study. However new directions are needed to make the safe system concept work in LMICs. The period of the first UN Decade of Action for Road Safety has brought us a series of valuable problem analysis and overview articles prepared by a variety of institutions and institutes. As a PIARC working group we did not repeat this effort, but used it as a starting point to indicate which specific issues do require a boost in LMICs for the coming period up to 2030. We concluded that the following 12 issues deserve special attention. Strategical: (i) Sustainable Development Goals integral approach, (ii) safety culture, (iii) road safety management and leadership, (iv) building road safety expertise and science; Tactical: (v) transportation system as a whole, (vi) city design, architecture, land use, rural planning, (vii) cost effectiveness, (viii) legislation and enforcement; Operational: (ix) speed, (x) sustainable safe roads, (xi) vehicles as a safe system component, (xii) post-crash health care. As a result of our discussions and analyses we also concluded that it is worthwhile and necessary to make a distinction between the issues in terms of levels of approach. Making roads and vehicles safe may be considered as operational safety measures on a component level, whereas city design and transport system issues do represent a more tactical approach. On top of that, organisational and cultural aspects do have a more strategical nature. As in many managerial and planning tasks the distinction between strategical, tactical and operational levels of approach is needed in the road safety field. It illustrates that the Safe System concept asks for a multi-level vision, thus preventing a silo approach with a limited focus on human behaviour, safe roads or vehicle safety. A further analysis for each of the selected issues resulted in priority areas, i.e. topics that deserve special attention in the LMIC context. In a similar line of reasoning we also described illustrative examples, i.e. LMIC related before-after studies that show the perspective of certain measures on an evidence basis. Although we found some illustrative cases for each of these issues, our search for evidence based cases confirmed the findings from recent overview articles indicating the lack of LMIC related road safety research. A more widespread implementation of effective road safety measures in LMICs would require a stronger national commitment and leadership from the road safety agencies point of view in the first place. Moreover an evidence based policy asks for a strong national and regional knowledge infrastructure. Ultimately road safety policies and road safety research programs are to be considered as inseparable. A strong local knowledge infrastructure may thus become the basis for an effective national road safety policy.

The Feasibility of AgileNudge+ Software to Facilitate Positive Behavioral Change: Mixed Methods Design

Background In today’s digital age, web-based apps have become integral to daily life, driving transformative shifts in human behavior. “AgileNudge+” (Indiana University Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science) is a web-based solution to simplify the process of positive behavior change using nudging as an intervention. By integrating knowledge from behavioral economics with technology, AgileNudge+ organizes multiple steps, simplifies complex tasks, minimizes errors by enhancing user engagement, and provides resources for creating and testing nudge interventions. Objective This paper aimed to outline the design process, methodologies, and usefulness of “AgileNudge+” for the development of evidence-based nudges. It used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the software’s interface usability and usefulness for creating and testing nudge interventions. Methods AgileNudge+ was developed through iterative processes integrating principles from behavioral economics and user-centered design. The content of AgileNudge+ operationalizes an Agile science–based process to efficiently design, embed, and disseminate evidence-based nudges that encourage positive behavior change without limiting choice. Using a mixed methods approach, we tested AgileNudge+ software’s ability to organize and simplify the nudge intervention process, allowing a diverse range of scholars with limited knowledge of Agile science to use nudges. Usability testing assessed the tool’s usefulness and interface with a sample of 18 health care professionals, each asked to interact with the software and create a nudge intervention to solve a problem within their professional project’s sphere. Results The study was funded in August 2022, with data collection occurring from June 2023 to July 2024. As of July 2024, we have enrolled 18 participants. Quantitative results found a mean usefulness rating of AgileNudge+ of 3.83 (95% CI 3.00-4.66). Qualitative results highlighted ways to modify the language used in AgileNudge+ to be more comprehensible to a diverse user base and promoted modifications to the software that facilitate real-time assistance and prioritize time efficiency in user interactions. Feedback further supported the positive impact of gamification on participant motivation when using the software. Conclusions AgileNudge+ is an effective assistive tool for simplifying the positive behavior change process using nudge interventions, with tailored content and interactions to meet users’ needs and demands. Building onto the current design, future iterations of AgileNudge+ will use artificial intelligence to process large volumes of data while reducing the time and mental energy required to scan for existing cognitive biases and nudge prototypes. The software is also being upgraded to build on current gamification efforts, encouraging more sustained motivation by increasing the temporal resolution of the digital interface. These modifications stay true to the agility and user-centered aspects of AgileNudge+, emphasizing the novelty of the constantly evolving software design process.

African Schistosomiasis: A Framework of Indicators Assessing the Transmission Risk and Intervention Effectiveness

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease with a complex transmission mechanism, requiring a snail intermediate host, is influenced by biology, the environment, human behavior and the prevailing socioeconomic situation. This study aimed to systematically investigate the importance and feasibility of indicators related to the factors influencing transmission and intervention measures for Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. Based on a literature review and group discussions according to the Delphi method, a framework questionnaire was designed. A total of 33 experts on schistosomiasis were invited, and 27 were accepted, to rate the importance and feasibility of indicators for transmission with and the control of schistosomiasis, with a focus on intervention measures for S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections in Zimbabwe. After two rounds of Delphi consultations with these experts, calculated to have a high average authority coefficient (0.88), a consensus was reached on a framework that included 2 primary, 6 secondary and 39 tertiary indicators. The Delphi–entropy method was applied to assess the weight of each indicator. The key influencing factors included hazardous water exposure, accessibility to safe drinking water, sanitary facilities and the contamination of water bodies by outdoor defecation/urinary habits. The intervention measures involved improved diagnostics, health education, preventive chemotherapy, the presence of national control plans and the implementation of the strategy on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). While these factors are already well known, their detailed order of importance could help to improve the allocation of specific control efforts.

Institutionalist Thought: Ceremonial-Instrumental Dichotomy of the Veblen-Ayres Tradition

Veblen and Ayres’ ceremonial-instrumental dichotomy is considered the analytical core of Old Institutional Theory (OIT). This view offers a distinct perspective for analyzing economic issues. The object of economics is studied at the level of cultural generalization, not individual generalization (as neoclassicists do). Human behavior is understood as a process of cumulative adaptation to contextual circumstances. Thus, understanding the meaning of the dichotomy – of doing things and making social distinctions, and of its application to illuminate modern economic problems – deserves attention. This systematic literature review describes the main theoretical, analytical, methodological, and empirical contributions to the ceremonial-instrumental dichotomy of the Veblen-Ayres tradition. To this end, articles on the topic published in the last 46 years were reviewed, which resulted in the analysis of 45 articles, which can be classified as a) conceptual b) methodological; c) empirical, and d) literature reviews. This body of analysis provided insights that lead to inferring the possibility of research in different fields of social sciences.

Integrating culturally-oriented activities in physical education: Analysis on the incidental learning and appreciation of learners to Philippine culture

The study investigates incidental learning and the appreciation of college students towards culturally-oriented activities in physical education sessions. The exploratory research design uses one-on-one interviews to gather data from 20 physical education students enrolled in the 2023–2024 school year. The positive impact of integrating culturally-oriented activities into physical education sessions is that it emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness and inclusivity in educational settings. The benefits of incorporating culturally-oriented activities into physical education include promoting cultural understanding and enriching students’ educational experiences. The transformative effect of culturally oriented activities in physical education prepares students to become responsible global citizens, emphasizing the importance of cultural enrichment. Incorporating culturally-oriented activities in physical education sessions has significant implications for educational practices, policies, and societal attitudes towards diversity, promoting global citizenship and inclusivity. Integrating culturally-oriented activities in physical education is essential in the current context to nurture cultural awareness, respect, and diversity among students. Investigating the effects of such activities can help educators create more inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments, preparing students for a diverse and interconnected world. Physical education is a way of education through physical activities that are selected and carried on with full regard to values in human growth, development, and behavior. Help learners to better understand both their own identity and the ethos of the school context and environment they share with others. Teachers’ and students’ perspectives on culturally relevant physical education. Aspects of culture and education should be complementary in terms of complementing and reinforcing each other.

Deconstructing The Universalism of Human Rights

The potential inapplicability of universal human rights may be attributed to three factors: linguistic deconstruction (the unsustainability of meaning), moral considerations, and practical application. Human rights are universal principles that establish precise standards for human behaviour and are consistently safeguarded by domestic and international laws. Irrespective of age, colour, geography, language, religion, or social status, they are universally recognized as inherent, essential rights that every individual has. These principles are considered inherent in all individuals worldwide. This research examines the vocabulary used in the human rights treaty and analyses selected articles from linguistic, moral, and pragmatic perspectives. The primary goal is to demonstrate a postmodern viewpoint and elucidate it via language.

Cognitive-Linguistic Status of Ethical Knowledge and Ways of Its Representation

The article is devoted to the study of the cognitive nature of ethical knowledge, its essence and substantive contours. There is no classification of ethical knowledge in science, so the formats of its representation and its types have not been determined. The aim of the article is to identify the cognitive foundations of morality, its rational or sensual nature; to determine the ethical knowledge based on its characteristics and classification according to types of representation in knowledge formats. To prove the representability of ethical knowledge a conceptual analysis of the concept “responsibility” is carried out; a value-labeled algorithm of a person’s moral behavior is presented in the ethical script. A cognitive ethical scenario of the category “compassion” is considered; an evaluative categorization of the concept’s “pity” and “ruthlessness” are given; a frame model of the concept “virtue” and the representability of ethical knowledge in knowledge formats (concept, scenario, evaluative categorization, frame, cognition) are constructed. The study also identifies features of ethical knowledge with their definitions, their classification that is carried out based on the criteria of what it is, and what it should be. The authors recognize the cognitive nature of ethical knowledge and consider it can be an information product of cognitive activity, that is tested for truth, expressed as new knowledge, while which person is evaluating behavior, represented in knowledge formats. In the article scientists’ points of view according to which ethical knowledge relates to the theoretical level of knowledge, metaethics or to the practical level of knowledge, practical ethics or philosophy are analyzed. The authors adhere to the statement that ethical knowledge has a dual nature (practical knowledge that regulates human behavior, theoretical knowledge, norms, principles, ethical knowledge). In the course of the research, the following scientific results were obtained: the cognitive essence of ethical knowledge was revealed confirmed by the features of its cognition (informativeness, truth, verifiability, knowability, representability). The authors’ positions which recognize the cognitive nature of ethical knowledge of cognitivists are reflected. The features of ethical knowledge with their definitions are identified; the classification of ethical knowledge is carried out based on the criteria of what it is and what it should be. The level of scientificity and practicality of ethical knowledge is determined. The conclusion is made about the existence of scientific (metaethics) and practical ethics; the cognitive measurability and representability of knowledge through knowledge formats has been proven. Conclusion about that the ethical knowledge has a cognitive status is drawn. The knowledge obtained as a result of cognitive-linguistic activity, provides new information about kinds of behaviour, ways of regulating value relations between people, knowledge about moral values, categories, norms verbalized with the help of language units.

Personality traits vary in their association with brain activity across situations.

Human cognition supports complex behaviour across a range of situations, and traits (e.g. personality) influence how we react in these different contexts. Although viewing traits as situationally grounded is common in social sciences, often studies attempting to link brain activity to human traits examine brain-trait associations in a single task, or, under passive conditions like wakeful rest. These studies, often referred to as brain wide association studies (BWAS) have recently become the subject of controversy because results are often unreliable even with large sample sizes. Although there are important statistical reasons why BWAS yield inconsistent results, we hypothesised that the situation in which brain activity is measured will impact the power in detecting a reliable link to specific traits. We performed a state-space analysis where tasks from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) were organized into a low-dimensional space based on how they activated different large-scale neural systems. We examined how individuals' observed brain activity across these different contexts related to their personality. We found that for multiple personality traits, stronger associations with brain activity emerge in some tasks than others. These data highlight the importance of context-bound views for understanding how brain activity links to trait variation in human behaviour.