Negative Information Research Articles

A technology-based randomized controlled trial of self-affirmation and gain-framed health messaging to reduce sedentary behavior in older adults.

Sedentary behavior significantly increases the risk for chronic diseases and cognitive decline in aging, underscoring the need for effective interventions. Older adults exhibit a 'positivity effect', whereby processing of positive information is prioritized over negative information. In addition, self-affirmation was shown to reduce sedentary behavior in younger adults, but its effects in older adults remain unknown. This study tested a novel, technology-based intervention combining daily self-affirmation and gain-framed health messages to reduce sedentary behavior in older adults. In a 6-week randomized controlled trial (NCT0431536), 48 cognitively unimpaired, sedentary older adults were randomized into two groups: The intervention group (mean age=70.0±5.4years) completed daily self-affirmation based on their highest-ranked value, followed by gain-framed health messages. The active control group (mean age=68.4±5.0years) performed self-affirmation on their lowest-ranked value, followed by loss-framed messages. This was a single-blinded clinical trial that incorporated a hybrid efficacy and implementation design. Thus, information about intervention feasibility was examined. In addition, baseline motivational traits, including reward sensitivity, were assessed as moderators of behavior change. The neural basis of self-affirmation and gain-framed health messaging was examined at baseline using a task-based, event-related fMRI paradigm across groups, after randomization at the outset of the intervention. The intervention showed high adherence (0.92±0.08) and positive ease-of-use ratings. While the intervention did not significantly reduce sedentary behavior compared to the active control condition, increased reward sensitivity predicted reduced sedentary behavior across all participants. FMRI results showed increased ventral striatal activation in the intervention group, compared to the active control group during reading of gain-framed compared to neutral messages. This study supports the feasibility of technology-based sedentary beahvior reduction interventions for older adults. While self-affirmation combined with gain-framed messaging did not significantly reduce sedentary behavior, gain-framed messages engaged the reward network, and reward sensitivity predicted future reduction in sedentary behavior.

Convolutional neural network for gesture recognition human-computer interaction system design.

Gesture interaction applications have garnered significant attention from researchers in the field of human-computer interaction due to their inherent convenience and intuitiveness. Addressing the challenge posed by the insufficient feature extraction capability of existing network models, which hampers gesture recognition accuracy and increases model inference time, this paper introduces a novel gesture recognition algorithm based on an enhanced MobileNet network. This innovative design incorporates a multi-scale convolutional module to extract underlying features, thereby augmenting the network's feature extraction capabilities. Moreover, the utilization of an exponential linear unit (ELU) activation function enhances the capture of comprehensive negative feature information. Empirical findings demonstrate that our approach surpasses the accuracy achieved by most lightweight network models on publicly available datasets, all while maintaining real-time gesture interaction capabilities. The accuracy of the proposed model in this paper attains 92.55% and 88.41% on the NUS-II and Creative Senz3D datasets, respectively, and achieves an impressive 98.26% on the ASL-M dataset.

Socially relevant affective learning in psychosis: Relations to deficits in motivation and pleasure and cognitive ability.

Socially relevant affective learning in psychosis: Relations to deficits in motivation and pleasure and cognitive ability.

Entanglement between quantum dots transmitted via a Majorana wire: Insights from the fermionic negativity, concurrence, and quantum mutual information

Entanglement between quantum dots transmitted via a Majorana wire: Insights from the fermionic negativity, concurrence, and quantum mutual information

Building corporate immunity: how do companies increase their resilience to negative information in the environment of fake news?

PurposeThis research explores the impact of trust in online information, parasocial interaction, online flow experience, sharing fake news and corporate credibility on companies’ resilience to negative information.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual research model was developed, employing the flow theory to fill gaps in the literature. A cross-sectional national online survey was conducted among 1,550 respondents aged 16–74 in an emerging market, utilizing a quantitative-based approach; the data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsTrust in online information and parasocial interactions was found to impact the online flow experience, with parasocial interaction positively affecting it optimally. The sharing of fake news is affected by parasocial interaction and the online flow experience, which in turn affects corporate credibility.Originality/valueCorporate credibility is shown to be an antecedent of resilience to negative information and word-of-mouth communication in companies, the former having a direct influence on the latter. The study hence has significant theoretical and managerial implications for communication and marketing.

Exploring social media users’ disclosures of negative information during the COVID-19 infodemic: the moderating role of personality traits

PurposeDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, an infodemic erupted on social media, leading to a surge in negative disclosure behaviors such as expressing dissatisfaction and releasing negative emotions. By extending the elaboration likelihood model and the Big Five personality theory to the domain of online self-disclosure, we aimed to identify the factors that influence negative disclosure behavior.Design/methodology/approachWe investigated how the features of negative information content, information sources and recipients’ social perceptions influence how social media users disclose negative information. We also examined the moderating roles of personality traits in this process. To validate the model and test our hypotheses, we collected cross-sectional data from 456 social media users.FindingsEmpirical results reveal that (1) information overload, topic relevance, attractiveness of information sources, peer approval of negative disclosure and social influence on negative information strengthen the intention to disclose negative information. (2) The perception of social risk weakens the intention to disclose negative information. (3) Openness to experience, extraversion and neuroticism strengthen the relationship between the intention to disclose negative information and actual disclosure behavior.Originality/valueOur results not only provide new perspectives on the decision-making mechanisms behind negative disclosure behavior but also extend personality research within the context of the dissemination of negative information. Furthermore, it offers insights into negative information dissemination on social media platforms, with significant implications for various stakeholders.

Effects of Mitigating Information about Negative News Using Comparative vs. Selective Processing

Abstract As consumers learn about a company’s actions, information about negative actions could impact customer purchase decisions. Of interest to firms is how customers process this information when making evaluative decisions. Two experiments explore the effect of comparative and selective processing on brand choice when participants are given negative information about company manufacturing practices to test whether the information affected product choice. The results show that participants were less focused on positive aspects of a focal product and less likely to choose it when engaging in comparative processing compared to those engaging in selective processing. Mitigating information about the negative information made participants more likely to choose the firm’s products compared to those that did not receive the mitigating information. These results provide insight as to how companies can communicate to customers to help reduce the negative impact of negative news. Public relations efforts should be designed in a way that encourages consumers to engage in comparative processing.

Bad news first—Neuroticism, negative expectations, and preference for negative information

Some people appear to specifically search for bad news, or to prefer negatively valenced information more generally. While preferred intake of negative information may serve to confirm one’s existing negative expectations, it may also contribute to negative affect and neuroticism. Conversely, other people may prefer information that allows learning rather than confirming existing expectations and individual differences in such preferences may be linked to trait openness/intellect. To assess associations between information preferences, negative expectations, neuroticism, and openness/intellect, two studies ( N = 300 and N = 161) were conducted. Participants completed a negative expectation questionnaire and rated whether they would like to read the corresponding articles of 48 presented news-headlines. Headlines were construed to suggest that the valence of the corresponding article would either be negative, positive, or neutral and were presented in negative-neutral or positive-neutral pairs. Ratings were provided on 24 bipolar (Study 1) or 48 unipolar (Study 2) items. In line with assumptions, rating-intercorrelations support the existence of general tendencies to prefer negative versus neutral (and positive vs. neutral) news across different topics. Across studies, the tendency to prefer negative versus neutral news was correlated with both generalized negative expectations and neuroticism. Moreover, negative expectations mediated the relationship between neuroticism and preferring negative news, suggesting that negative information preferences may serve to confirm negative expectations in high neuroticism. In contrast, openness/intellect was linked to higher preferences for any news (Study 2) but particularly headlines that indicated high information gain. These findings provide insights into information preferences and mechanisms for stabilizing expectations in personality.

Epidemic dynamics with awareness cascade of positive and negative information on delayed multiplex networks.

Human behavioral awareness is usually socially relevant, decisions are made based on the behavior of individuals, and this dynamic process of human awareness with herd effects is called awareness cascade. Based on the complexity of modern information dissemination, information is not monolithic. Individuals choose the type of epidemic-related information to accept, i.e., whether it is positive or negative information, according to the awareness cascade, and then take the corresponding measures to cope with the epidemic. In this paper, we use the microscopic Markov chain approach to model an information-virus dual network, where the information layer has a threshold model with awareness cascade of positive and negative information, and on the virus layer is a susceptible-infected-recovery model with epidemic infection time delay and recovery time delay. The time delay is also a non-negligible modeling factor as the complete infection of an individual and the complete recovery of an individual require sufficient time. An explicit formula for the critical threshold of epidemic spread for this model is derived. We find that positive and negative information and time delay have a significant effect on the critical threshold, and the recovery time delay is the time delay that mainly affects the epidemic size. Experiments show that the local acceptance rate of positive information has a threshold point for the spread of epidemics under awareness cascade, and that this point is significantly affected by the mass media. The local acceptance rate of negative information also divides the spread of epidemics into two stages.

Negative images, regardless of task relevance, distract younger more than older adults.

Older adults, compared to younger adults, tend to prioritize positive information more and negative information less. We recently observed this "positivity effect" pattern in an emotion-induced blindness task, which measures attention allocated to task-irrelevant emotional stimuli in the way participants are distracted by them. Older adults were less distracted by negative images compared to younger adults. This could represent an age-related priority shift away from negative emotions. However, it could also be that older adults simply do not see negative images presented at a fast rate. A similar possibility is that older adults to fail to engage with negative stimuli because of their complex nature, rather than due to age-related changes in emotional preference per se. In the present study, we tested this possibility by manipulating the required degree of engagement with emotional distractors. Participants completed a modified emotion-induced blindness task, with emotional distractors that were either task irrelevant (younger: n = 48; older: n = 46) or task relevant (younger: n = 48; older: n = 45). The task relevance of distractors did not affect performance. Even though older adults could quickly perceive the negative images, they were less distracted by them compared to younger adults. Current theories of the positivity effect fail to fully account for these positivity effect patterns in attention, especially those that propose mechanisms requiring a substantial time to enact. The current results may require rethinking previous accounts of the positivity effect and highlight the benefits of probing the positivity effect in early cognitive processing stages. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Neural Correlates of Proactive and Reactive Control Investigated Using a Novel Precued Antisaccade Paradigm.

This ERP study investigated the neural correlates of proactive and reactive control using a novel precued antisaccade paradigm. Proactive control refers to preparatory processes during anticipation of a behaviorally relevant event; reactive control is activated after such an event to ensure goal attainment. A 64-channel EEG was obtained in 35 healthy subjects; video-based eye tracking was applied for ocular recording. In the task, a target (probe) appeared left or right of the fixation point 1800 ms after a central cue; subjects had to look toward the probe (prosaccade) or its mirror image position (antisaccade). Probes were positive, negative or neutral face expressions, with their frame colors instructing task requirements. The cue informed about antisaccade probability (70% vs. 30%) in each trial. High antisaccade probability was associated with larger CNV amplitude than low antisaccade probability. In trials with incongruence between expected and actual task requirements, probe N2 and P3a amplitudes were larger than in congruent trials. In incongruent trials, P3a was smaller for negative than positive and neutral probes. Task accuracy and speed were lower in incongruent trials and varied according to affective probe valence. EEG source imaging suggested the origin of the ERPs to be in orbitofrontal cortex and superior frontal gyrus. The effect on the CNV indicates greater cortical activity during higher proactive control demands. Larger N2 and P3a in incongruent trials reflect greater resource allocation to conflict monitoring and conflict resolution, i.e., reactive control. The influence of probe valence on P3a suggests reduced processing capacity due to negative information.

The Grief of Peer Loss Among Adolescents: A Narrative Review.

Peer death is not uncommon during adolescence. Unlike the loss of family members, grief following the peer loss is often unrecognized and unsupported by society, making it difficult for adolescents to handle their grief. This may result in prolonged and intense reactions, negatively affecting academic performance and physical and mental health. In this article, we review the manifestations of, associated factors with, and interventions for grief after peer loss and discuss unaddressed questions. A literature search was conducted within three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect) from January 1, 2014 to December 29, 2024. Finally, 13 English studies focusing on peer loss and grief among adolescents were identified and included. Grief over the death of a friend in adolescents could be intense, lasting up to 8.5 years, with symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep disturbances. The prolonged grief could impair mental health and social functioning. Girls tend to exhibit more complicated grief reactions and experience a longer duration of grief compared to boys. Personality traits also play a critical role: adolescents with high agreeableness tend to recover more quickly, while those with high neuroticism are less resilient. The quality of the friendship with the deceased and exposure to negative information also influence the grief intensity. Raising professional awareness, providing targeted interventions, and establishing effective social support are essential for grief recovery. Significant gaps still remain in understanding adolescent grief following peer loss, particularly in the mechanisms between different factors and grief, and the feasibility and effectiveness of specific treatment plans. Addressing these limitations is essential for advancing theoretical frameworks and developing targeted interventions. This review provides a foundational basis for future research and clinical practices, with the potential to inform therapeutic approaches and interventions that better support the healing and recovery processes of grieving adolescents.

Lorentz violation alleviates gravitationally induced entanglement degradation

Lorentz violation is a significant phenomenon in the framework of quantum physics, with implications for fundamental symmetries. In this paper, we explore the effects of Lorentz violation on quantum entanglement through a black hole spacetime that is coupled with a Lorentz-violating field. We establish the relationship between the Hartle-Hawking vacuum state and the Boulware number states for this case, and employ the near horizon approximation in an appropriate form to rewrite the black hole metric into a Rindler-like form. Subsequently, using this revised metric, the analytical forms of logarithmic negativity and mutual information are derived and plotted as functions of Rob’s distance from the r = 0 point. Based on the results, we find that the coupling between spacetime and the Lorentz-violating vector field alleviates gravity-induced entanglement degradation. At high mode frequencies, the effects of Lorentz violation are negligible, but they become significant at low frequencies. This suggests that investigating Lorentz violation at astrophysical scales requires low-frequency detectors, as the low energy of these fields enhances the significance of the Lorentz-violating field’s non-zero vacuum expectation value.

Exploring the Potential of Self-Assessment for Teachers’ Development of ICT Competencies and Beliefs

We evaluate the effects of an online self-assessment tool on teachers’ competencies and beliefs about information and communication technologies (ICTs) in education. The causal impact of the tool is evaluated through a randomized encouragement design involving 7,391 lower secondary teachers across 11 European countries. Short-run impact estimates show that the use of the tool led teachers to critically revise their technology-enhanced teaching competencies (−0.14 standard deviations [ SD]) and their beliefs about the use of ICT in education (−0.35 SD), while no impact on teachers’ ICT training is found. The effects are concentrated among teachers in the top-end tail of the distribution of pre-treatment outcomes. We provide suggestive evidence that the feedback score provided by the tool triggered such results by providing a negative information shock.

Public Relations Crisis Communication of Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic in Post-Crisis Image Recovery

In a crisis that occurs in an organization, PR is an important functional organization that bridges communication between the organization and the public. It is the main task and function of Public Relations to be able to overcome a crisis that affects the institution. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods. The results of this study show that in maintaining the image of the crisis issue that occurred, it is divided into four stages. The first is the Denial stage, where the Public Relations of the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic denies by providing the postitive information side of the institution/organization so that not only negative information becomes the main statement. Second Evasion of Responsibility by convincing that the organization does not intend to do negative things and fully supports the running of a fair legal process regarding the crisis issue that occurred. Third Reducing Offensiveness, convincing the public that in addition to the negative crisis that occurred, there are still positive actions that have been taken in the past and can be well received by the public. Then the last stage is Corrective Action, which is to ensure that the crisis issues that occur can be handled properly so that it will not become a problem again in the future.

Log odds of positive lymph nodes compared to positive lymph node ratio and number of positive lymph nodes in prognostic modeling for patients with NSCLC undergoing lobectomy or total pneumonectomy: a population-based study using Cox regression and XGBoost with SHAP analysis.

Methods such as the number of positive lymph nodes (nPLN), lymph node ratio (LNR), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) are used to predict prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We hypothesized that LODDS could be a superior independent predictor of prognosis and aimed to compare its effectiveness with nPLN and LNR in predicting survival outcomes in stage I-IIIA NSCLC patients. We utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 17 registry (2010-2019) to study NSCLC patients, focusing on those who underwent surgery with confirmed lymph node involvement (N1 or N2 disease). We aimed to compare overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) based on nPLN, LNR, and LODDS. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were employed to evaluate survival, with thresholds determined using X-tile software. An XGBoost model was constructed to predict overall survival in patients using three features: LODDS, LNR, and PLN. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was applied to assess feature importance and provide interpretable insights into the model's predictions. The study analyzed 3,132 eligible NSCLC patients from the SEER database, predominantly male (53.07%) with adenocarcinoma (43.65%) or squamous cell carcinoma (29.76%). Survival outcomes were assessed using nPLN, LNR, and LODDS. LODDS showed superior predictive value for both OS and CSS compared to nPLN and LNR, as indicated by a larger Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) and smaller Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Higher scores on npLN, LNR, and LODDS were strongly related with a poorer prognosis, according to Kaplan-Meier analyses (P < 0.001). The SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis of the XGBoost model demonstrated that the LODDS exhibited the highest SHAP values (0.25) for predicting overall survival in patients, consistently outperforming the LNR and the number of nPLN across both training and validation datasets. Compared to the nPLN and LNR staging systems, LODDS demonstrates superior prognostic power for patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy. By integrating both positive and negative lymph node information, LODDS offers a refined risk stratification that is particularly valuable in cases with high lymph node heterogeneity.

Triadic balance and network evolution in predictive models of signed networks

This paper introduces a novel approach for identifying dynamic triadic transformation processes, applied to five networks: three undirected and two directed. Our method significantly enhances the prediction accuracy of network ties. While balance theory offers insights into evolving patterns of triadic structures, its effects on overall network dynamics remain underexplored. Existing research often neglects the interaction between micro-level balancing mechanisms and overall network behavior. To bridge this gap, we develop a method for detecting dynamic triadic structures in signed networks, categorizing triangle transformations over two consecutive periods into formation and breakage. We analyze the impact of these structures on temporal network evolution by incorporating them into exponential random graph models across five networks of varying size, density, and directionality. To address the complexity of multi-layer networks derived from signed networks, we modify the temporal exponential random graph model framework. Our method significantly improves out-of-sample prediction accuracy for network ties, with additional predictive power from incorporating negative network information. These findings highlight the importance of considering the triadic transformation processes of balance triangles in studying temporal networks, validated across diverse datasets, warranting further research.

Patient perceptions of osteoporosis management: a qualitative pilot study by a patient advisory group

SummaryThe management of osteoporosis even after a fracture is declining. Our pilot study in patients with osteoporosis confirms a large ignorance of the disease and major fears and uncertainties about the treatments. Complete and sustained medical information seems essential to counteract the contradictory information, which are exclusively negative.PurposeThe management of osteoporosis (OP) even after a fracture has declined over recent years despite the actions of the medical societies concerned with this disease. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate patients’ perceptions of OP, their treatment pathways, and how information is obtained.MethodsThe Association Française de Lutte Anti-Rhumatismale (AFLAR) constituted an advisory group of 7 French patients (mean age 63.7 years [54–74 years]), with various stages of OP and duration of disease. A qualitative, anonymized study was conducted with an open-ended semi-structured questionnaire, with a contribution of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the “Groupe de Recherche et Informations sur les Ostéoporoses” (GRIO).ResultsThe onset of OP was often sudden, with the fracture occurring in a context of deep misunderstanding of OP by both the public and physicians. The patients have confidence in the physician, mostly a rheumatologist, who informs about OP and initiates the treatment. The main cause of non-adherence being major fears and uncertainties about efficacy and safety of treatments. Medical information is considered as insufficient, or poorly understood. Negative information has the highest impact, even if the sources seem unreliable, such as media. There is no trust in pharmaceutical companies and the ethics of physicians are in question.ConclusionThis IOF/GRIO/AFLAR Patient Advisory Group pilot study illustrates the numerous barriers to effective OP management. Complete and sustained medical information, especially at the time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment, seems essential to counteract the contradictory information, which are exclusively negative.

Эффект Поллианны: роль механизмов защиты позитивной личностной и групповой идентичности

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; To study the socio-psychological mechanisms supporting the effect of linguistic positivity and its dynamics in crisis conditions. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt; In the context of increasing hard-to-control climatic, military, economic and technological threats, research aimed at identifying the psychological mechanisms underlying the willingness of individuals and groups to positively evaluate themselves, their group and the world is becoming increasingly important. One of the results of such mechanisms is the Pollyanna effect &amp;ndash; the tendency of people to give preference to positive information, manifested in assessments of the present, memories of the past and expectations about the future, and reflected in the prevalence of positive words over negative in the vocabulary of the language.&lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions.&lt;/strong&gt; Individual, interpersonal and group socio-psychological mechanisms of the linguistic positivity effect have been identified, among which the former are much better studied than the others. At the individual level, the Pollyanna effect is supported by patterns of perception of positive and negative information, emotion counter-regulation, coping mechanisms, and positive illusions that protect the positive identity of the individual. At the interpersonal level, these mechanisms are shared positive experiences, interpersonal attraction, and trust. At the group level &amp;ndash; group identification, positive group emotions and mechanisms supporting positive evaluation of one's group: ingroup favoritism, perceptual refences, construction of collective memory and collective image of the future. The assumption that the contribution of group identity to the Pollyanna effect increases in crises associated with the experience of hard-to-control threat and collective trauma is stated. Promising directions of socio-psychological research in this area are outlined. The results of our empirical research indicate that group identity participates in the processes of emotional self-regulation and mobilization of psychological resources when experiencing an uncontrollable threat, reducing the level of individual and collective anxiety. Promising directions of socio-psychological research in this area are outlined.&lt;/p&gt;

Measuring Self-Referent Memory Bias as Marker for Depression: Overview, New Insights, and Recommendations

Negative self-referent memory bias (the preferential memory for negative self-referent information) is a well-known symptom of depression and a risk factor for its development, maintenance, and recurrence. Evidence shows its potential as an add-on tool in clinical practice. However, it is unclear which self-referent memory bias measure(s) could be clinically relevant. Here, as a first step, we investigate which measures best differentiate current depression status and track depressive symptom severity most closely. The total sample (N = 956) from three (naturalistic) psychiatric cohorts with matched controls was divided into a current depression, remitted depression, and non-disordered control group. Self-referent memory bias task measures were calculated and the drift diffusion model (DDM) was applied to assess underlying components of the cognitive self-referent decision making process. Measures were compared between groups and linear regression models were applied to assess their association with depressive symptom severity. The number of negative endorsed words differentiated best between depression status while a combination of the number of positive endorsed words, self-referent negative memory bias, and positive drift rate was most strongly associated with depressive symptom severity. Our results give direction to the clinical implementation of this task. Its value in assessing, monitoring, and predicting depressive state and trait in clinical settings requires further investigation.