Psychophysiological Methods Research Articles

Infrared thermography for non-invasive measurement of social inequality aversion in rodents and potential usefulness for future animal-friendly studies.

Infrared thermography is a method that detects thermal radiation energy and can measure the body surface temperature of animals from a distance. While rectal temperature has traditionally been used to measure animals' core temperature, thermal imaging can avoid the stress and potential rise of body temperature deriving from handling of the animals. Additionally, being non-invasive and contactless, thermal imaging allows free movement of the animals. The validity of this technique as a psychophysiological method has been proven in a series of stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) studies of mice under social inequality conditions. Restraint in a holder elicits SIH in mice. A restrained mouse surrounded by freely moving cage mates displays increased SIH suggesting that social inequality enhances the stress. Social inequality can be examined also in unrestrained mice, in particular through unequal distribution of food. In this protocol, a food-deprived mouse is given a small piece of cheese, while its cage mate is given a large piece of cheese. This inequity causes SIH, suggesting social inequality aversion in mice. Thus, social inequality in different situations similarly increased SIH. Importantly, in future studies infrared thermography could also be used to evaluate emotional arousal states different from stress (for example to assess reactivity to rewards or in social and sexual preference tests). Moreover, the technique could be used to investigate also cognitive arousal induced by novelty. Indeed, infrared thermography could be a particularly useful tool for animal-friendly studies of cognition and emotion in rodents.

Дослідження методів оцінки психомоторних здібностей в єдиноборствах

Purpose: to conduct research on methods of evaluation of psychomotor abilities in martial arts. Material and Methods. The following research methods were used in the work: analysis and synthesis of scientific and methodical literature, information from the Internet; pedagogical observation; interviews with leading coaches; results of past measurements. Results: the analysis of the use of methods for assessing psychomotor abilities in martial arts. The results of modern domestic and foreign studies have made it possible to determine that in martial arts it would be advisable to study psychodiagnostic and psychophysiological methods of assessing the state as objective criteria for the current functional state of psychophysiological functions, including mental, physiological and behavioral levels. Based on the analysis of scientific and methodological information, Internet sources and conversations with leading coaches, psychomotor abilities important for martial arts were identified. It is revealed that the authors pay considerable attention to psychomotor abilities. In particular, the results of studies of psychomotor abilities using various and innovative methods are presented in the works of such specialists as Kozina Zh.L., Korobeynikov G.V., Ermakov S.S., Romanenko V.V. and others. It would be expedient to improve computer programs in the search for new express methods for assessing and analyzing the psychomotor state of athletes, taking into account the characteristics of a particular sport and competitive activity, stage of training, level of training, which will allow coaches to separate the factors that determine the growth of sportsmanship, as well as to predict the effectiveness of sports activities. Conclusions. It is determined that psychomotor abilities are of great importance in the sports activity of martial artists. The results of the assessment of psychomotor abilities obtained using express methods and characterizing the functional state of martial artists have a significant information basis for improving the quality of their training process.

Измерение длительности фазы формирования физиологического феномена как предиктора осознанного ощущения при зрительно-моторной реакции «Go / No-go» типа в парадигме обратной маскировки

<p>In a psychophysiological experiment, the effect of inhibition of the “Go/No-go” – type differential visual-motor reaction (DVMR) under the influence of a masker stimulus presented at different periods of its implementation was revealed; this effect is manifested in the range of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) from 40 to 100 ms. There is a relationship between the latent period of DVMR and the value of the SOA interval, described in a logarithmic scale by the equation of a straight line: the latency of the sensorimotor response is inversely proportional to the logarithm of SOA. The psychophysiological method based on measuring the degree of inhibition of the “Go/No-go” – type DVMR speed in the backward masking paradigm can be used to measure the duration of the formation of a physiological phenomenon as a predictor of conscious sensation. A possible mechanism of inhibition of the rate of realization of the “Go/No-go” – type "reaction during backward masking consists in a decrease in the intensity of the physiological phenomenon under the influence of the masker, which lengthens the latent period of the sensorimotor reaction.</p>

Redox intensity and psychoemotional status of rats in burn skin injury

Relevance. Currently, the problem of regeneration of damaged skin, including of a burn nature, remains relevant. The work describes the results of the study of the redox intensity and of the psychoemotional status of rats in thermal skin injury. The aim of the study is an experimental study of the redox intensity and of the psychoemotional status of rats in burn skin injury. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on nonlinear male rats of average weight 250 grams for 6-8 months. To assess psychoemotional status, studies were carried out using standard psychophysiological methods: «Open Field», «Elevated cruciform maze», «Suok Test» and «Porsolt.» The intensity of redox processes in the hypothalamic and prefrontal regions of the brain was assessed by determining the intensity of lipid peroxidation and catalase activity. The activity of lipid peroxidation was determined by the initial content of malonic dialdehyde, as well as by the rate of spontaneous and ascorbic peroxidation of lipids. Results and Discussion. During the study, it was found that burn damage to the skin was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of TBC-active products of lipid peroxidation in the hypothalamic and prefrontal regions of the brain of rats, which resulted in the development of oxidative stress. Burn injury initiated peroxidation processes in the studied areas of the brain, the most pronounced in the early period of the burn process (on days 2-4), with varying degrees decreasing in the following periods (on days 7, 10). The results of the assessment of the psychoemotional status of animals in burn skin injury in standard behavioral tests confirm the involvement of the nervous system in response to stress, the reflex activity of which under stressful conditions manifests itself in a change in behavioral reactions. In the conditions of burn damage to the skin, signs of an alarming-depressive state, in particular disorientation in space, suppression of the psychoemotional state, and a change in the nature of behavioral reactions were noted. Conclusion. Thus, the revealed changes in the intensity of redox processes and the peculiarities of the psychoemotional status of rats in burn skin damage are the result of biochemical and functional disorders of the brain, activated during protective and adaptation reactions in burn injury.

Whose Signals Are Being Amplified? Toward a More Equitable Clinical Psychophysiology.

Research using psychophysiological methods holds great promise for refining clinical assessment, identifying risk factors, and informing treatment. Unfortunately, unique methodological features of existing approaches limit inclusive research participation and, consequently, generalizability. This brief overview and commentary provides a snapshot of the current state of representation in clinical psychophysiology, with a focus on the forms and consequences of ongoing exclusion of Black participants. We illustrate issues of inequity and exclusion that are unique to clinical psychophysiology, considering intersections among social constructions of Blackness and biased design of current technology used to measure electroencephalography, skin conductance, and other signals. We then highlight work by groups dedicated to quantifying and addressing these limitations. We discuss the need for reflection and input from a wider variety of stakeholders to develop and refine new technologies, given the risk of further widening disparities. Finally, we provide broad recommendations for clinical psychophysiology research.

Hair me out: Highlighting systematic exclusion in psychophysiological methods and recommendations to increase inclusion.

Hair me out: Highlighting systematic exclusion in psychophysiological methods and recommendations to increase inclusion.

Psychophysiological methods to study the triggers of interest: a Singapore case study

Psychophysiological methods to study the triggers of interest: a Singapore case study

JUDICIAL AND CRIMINALISTIC PSYCHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS: PROFILING, VERIFICATION AND USE OF THE POLYGRAPH

The issues of using non-traditional methods of forensic research attract the attention of both practitioners and theorists of forensic science and jurisprudence, as well as many specialists in related specialties, including doctors, psychologists, biologists, programmers and representatives of other sciences. The concept of “non-traditional methods of solving crimes” appeared in the 80-90s of the XX century and integrated the methods and approaches of applied psychology, psychodiagnostics and human psychophysiology. Although the world practice of using psychological and psychophysiological methods, approaches and technologies has more than half a century, these methods and devices, programs and technologies are gaining maximum popularity at the present time. Verification and profiling are two of the most interesting and closely related modern areas of psychological forensics as a science of psychological investigation of the event of a crime and its participants (according to the “ideal” and material traces of a crime). They are important parts of modern forensic psychology. Both of these parts are implemented in the practice of investigators / forensic scientists and judges both with the help of non-instrumental (expert) and instrumental (polygraph, etc.) psychological methods and techniques. The problems of modern psychological forensics, however, are not the devices and methods themselves, their development, which undoubtedly enriches both forensic science and psychodiagnostics in general, but that the results of research and practical developments in this area can be illegally expanded to other areas, including in the professor of hyper-securization, as well as in the fact that not always reliable and transparent conclusions of an expert and / or equipment created and used by people who consider themselves experts, equipment, including statistical methods implemented by digital devices, etc.... can be used in a corrupt community, for their own purposes, against people. The emergence of a conflict of interest is all the more likely, the less substantiated and transparent the procedures, methods and algorithms for verification and profiling, and the more the country's law enforcement system is aimed at ignoring the needs of the community in favor of the interests of the bureaucratic monolith. And only then it is possible and nuno to solve the issues of improving programs and techniques of profiling and verification: today the existing approaches and devices give rather high reliability indicators, but not always.

Psychological and psychophysiological methods for assessing the cognitive resource of e-athletes

The purpose of the research is the analysis of literary sources and the selection of psychological and psychophysiological methods that are appropriate to use for the assessment of the cognitive resource of e-athletes. The following methods were chosen for the study of the cognitive resource of e-athletes: the "Landolt rings" test, the "Establishment of regularities" methods, "Visual memory", "Memory for numbers", Kettel's questionnaire, the "Reaction to a moving object" test.

Individual factor structure of biomechanical and psychophysiological indicators as a basis for determining the fighting style of qualified mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters

The purpose of the study to reveal the fighting style of qualified MMA fighters based on the individual factor structure of psychophysiological and biomechanical indicators.
 Material and methods. 42 qualified combat sambo athletes (age 20-25) took part in the study. The biomechanical analysis of the speed of movement of various points and the value of the angles in the joints during a direct impact was used as a research method. Biomechanical analysis of the technique of a direct blow in combat sambo athletes was carried out using the "Kinovea" program, version 0.8.15. A psychophysiological method of determining the time of a simple and complex reaction was used in standard conditions and in different testing modes. Using the computer program "Psychodiagnostics".
 Results. In the structure of the complex training of qualified MMA fighters, 2 main factors are highlighted. The first factor (55.063% of the total total variance) according to the indicators included in it was named "Speed". The second factor (44.937% of the total total variance) according to the indicators included in it, was named "Speed ​​Endurance". The fighting styles of qualified MMA fighters were identified based on the analysis of the general and individual factor structure of biomechanical and psychophysiological indicators. It is shown that the individual factor structure, which is characterized by the expressiveness of the "Speed ​​and coordination endurance" factor by more than 80%, and the expressiveness of the "Speed" factor by less than 30%, is characteristic of tempo style fighters.
 Conclusions. We found 3 groups of athletes, which are characterized by the following manifestations of psychophysiological functions in combination with biomechanical indicators: group 1 - endurance for high-speed and coordination actions; group 2 – speed at short time intervals; group 3 - power (a combination of speed and strength) with a predominance of strength. Determining fighting styles in modern MMA is one of the main steps to improving an athlete and winning.

A comprehensive methodology for diagnosing the development of preschoolers aged 3-4 (36-51 months)

Introduction. The relevance of creating this methodology is due to the need to obtain an objective “portrait” of a modern preschooler aged 3-4 (36-51 months). The presented methodology covers all aspects of children’s development in accordance with the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard for Preschool Education, in contrast to labor-intensive methods aimed at assessing individual components of development. Materials and methods. In the diagnostics, psychophysiological methods were used to assess attention, visual and auditory memory, visual-spatial perception, speech, voluntary regulation of activity and some indicators of physical development. Results. As a result of the development and testing of a comprehensive diagnostic methodology in several regions of the Russian Federation, specialists in preschool educational organizations have a diagnostic tool that allows them to “lead” one child from the beginning of his stay in an organization to entering school. This takes into account the continuity of tasks at different ages, since the presented methodology, which allows assessing the development of children aged 3-4, is an adapted version of diagnosing the development of preschool children aged 5-6 and 6-7. This makes it possible to trace the development of certain functions in a child aged 3-7 and map his individual development. As an example, the results of diagnostics of two children and recommendations for planning an individual trajectory of their further development were given. Conclusion. The uniqueness of this methodology lies in its accessibility for a wide range of specialists working in preschool educational organizations (preschool teachers, psychologists, speech therapists). Diagnostic results are easily communicated to parents. Along with the possibility of a comprehensive assessment of individual characteristics of the development of each child, the obtained results can be used for effective interaction of all adults surrounding the child.

IN PARTICULAR THE ROLE OF ALPHA RHYTHM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MENTAL ACTIVITY

The essence of the article is that modern psychological and psychophysiological methods provide detailed information about biological feedback. In the practical work of psychologists in Uzbekistan, the use of biological feedback in conducting psychocorrective activities proves to be an effective tool of psychocorrection in various psychological and psychophysiological issues.

A Synthetic Review of Cognitive Load in Distance Interpreting: Toward an Explanatory Model.

Distance Interpreting (DI) is a form of technology-mediated interpreting which has gained traction due to the high demand for multilingual conferences, live-streaming programs, and public service sectors. The current study synthesized the DI literature to build a framework that represents the construct and measurement of cognitive load in DI. Two major areas of research were identified, i.e., causal factors and methods of measuring cognitive load. A number of causal factors that can induce change in cognitive load in DI were identified and reviewed. These included factors derived from tasks (e.g., mode of presentation), environment (e.g., booth type), and interpreters (e.g., technology awareness). In addition, four methods for measuring cognitive load in DI were identified and surveyed: subjective methods, performance methods, analytical methods, and psycho-physiological methods. Together, the causal factors and measurement methods provide a multifarious approach to delineating and quantifying cognitive load in DI. This multidimensional framework can be applied as a tool for pedagogical design in interpreting programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It can also provide implications for other fields of educational psychology and language learning and assessment.

Determination of psychophysiological and neuropsychological correlates of deviant behaviors in military personnel

Deviant behaviors among military personnel are being considered. Healthy servicemen and servicemen with various forms of deviant behaviors (addictive, suicidal, and antisocial) were examined using clinical psychopathological, experimental psychological, psychophysiological, and neuropsychological methods. The survey results by various methods were analyzed statistically, and their significance in diagnosing the propensity for deviant behaviors of servicemen is studied. The isolated use of individual methods does not increase the efficiency of the diagnostic process. Moreover, the combined use of neuropsychological (affective priming and Wisconsin card sorting test) and psychophysiological (oculography) methods with a high level of reliability makes it possible to differentiate healthy military personnel from military personnel prone to deviant behaviors. The most informative psychophysiological signs when performing neuropsychological techniques were the frequency and duration of blinking and duration of gaze fixations. An algorithm for diagnosing deviant behaviors of military personnel has been developed based on the analysis of neuropsychological and psychophysiological indicators using an ethological approach (oculography and pupillometry).

Immersive media experience: a survey of existing methods and tools for human influential factors assessment.

Virtual reality (VR) applications, especially those where the user is untethered to a computer, are becoming more prevalent as new hardware is developed, computational power and artificial intelligence algorithms are available, and wireless communication networks are becoming more reliable, fast, and providing higher reliability. In fact, recent projections show that by 2022 the number of VR users will double, suggesting the sector was not negatively affected by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The success of any immersive communication system is heavily dependent on the user experience it delivers, thus now more than ever has it become crucial to develop reliable models of immersive media experience (IMEx). In this paper, we survey the literature for existing methods and tools to assess human influential factors (HIFs) related to IMEx. In particular, subjective, behavioural, and psycho-physiological methods are covered. We describe tools available to monitor these HIFs, including the user’s sense of presence and immersion, cybersickness, and mental/affective states, as well as their role in overall experience. Special focus is placed on psycho-physiological methods, as it was found that such in-depth evaluation was lacking from the existing literature. We conclude by touching on emerging applications involving multiple-sensorial immersive media and provide suggestions for future research directions to fill existing gaps. It is hoped that this survey will be useful for researchers interested in building new immersive (adaptive) applications that maximize user experience.

Watching Nature Videos Promotes Physiological Restoration: Evidence From the Modulation of Alpha Waves in Electroencephalography.

Various lines of evidence have shown that nature exposure is beneficial for humans. Despite several empirical findings pointing out to cognitive and emotional positive effects, most of the evidence of these effects are correlational, and it has been challenging to identify a cause-effect relationship between nature exposure and cognitive and emotional benefits. Only few of the published studies use psychophysiological methods to assess the biological correlates of these positive effects. Establishing a connection between human physiology and contact with natural settings is important for identifying cause-effect relationships between exposure to natural environments and the positive effects commonly reported in connection to nature exposure. In the present study, we recorded physiological indexes of brain activity (electroencephalography) and sympathetic nervous system (electrodermal activity), while the participants were presented with a series of videos displaying natural, urban, or neutral (non-environmental, computerized) scenes. Participants rated the scenes for their perceived relaxing value, and after each experimental condition, they performed a cognitive task (digit span backward). Participants rated natural videos as the most relaxing. Spectral analyses of EEG showed that natural scenes promoted alpha waves, especially over the central brain. The results suggest that experiencing natural environments virtually produces measurable and reliable brain activity markers which are known to be related to restorative processes.

Сharacteristics of manifestation of psychophysiological features of qualified women-boxers in the preparatory period

Characteristics of the psychophysiological state of qualified female boxers in the preparatory period. Purpose: to study the level of manifestation of psychophysiological properties of women boxers in the preparatory period. Methods. The following methods were used in the study: psychophysiological research methods; methods of mathematical statistics. Using the complex computer system "Multipsychometer-05", sensorimotor reactions, endurance of the nervous system, balance of nervous processes, functional mobility of nervous processes were determined. Results. The analysis of the results obtained indicates a significant variability in terms of the psychophysical state, the coefficients of variation V, % are in the range from V=778.87% to V=25.63%, which indicates the heterogeneity of the sample and the need to individualize the training process. An analysis of the psychophysiological state of female boxers, including mental, physiological and behavioral levels, is characterized by a low average group indicator of reaction latency based on the results of a sensorimotor reaction, an average level of stability indicating the balance of the nervous system, and an average level of endurance of the nervous system. In the vast majority of 89.5% (n=17) of the studied female boxers, the results of the duty cycle indicate an irrational organization of motor activity. According to the results of the balance of nervous processes, 42.1% (n=8) of female boxers have high own values of the accuracy and stability index, have high abilities to perform cognitive tasks, for the solution of which it is necessary to involve the function of thinking and concentrate attention. The obtained results of the study can serve to individualize and correct the training activities of female boxers in the preparatory period. Conclusion. Manifestation of psychophysiological properties in skilled women boxers has considerable variability, which indicates the need for an individual approach to training.

The respiratory resistance sensitivity task: An automated method for quantifying respiratory interoception and metacognition

The ability to sense, monitor, and control respiration – e.g., respiratory interoception (henceforth, respiroception) is a core homeostatic ability. Beyond the regulation of gas exchange, enhanced awareness of respiratory sensations is directly related to psychiatric symptoms such as panic and anxiety. Indeed, chronic breathlessness (dyspnea) is associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of developing depression and anxiety, and the regulation of the breath is a key aspect of many mindfulness-based approaches to the treatment of mental illness. Physiologically speaking, the ability to accurately monitor respiratory sensations is important for optimizing cardiorespiratory function during athletic exertion, and can be a key indicator of illness. Given the important role of respiroception in mental and physical health, it is unsurprising that there is increased interest in the quantification of respiratory psychophysiology across different perceptual and metacognitive levels of the psychological hierarchy. Compared to other more popular modalities of interoception, such as in the cardiac domain, there are relatively few methods available for measuring aspects of respiroception. Existing inspiratory loading tasks are difficult to administer and frequently require expensive medical equipment, or offer poor granularity in their quantification of respiratory-related perceptual ability. To facilitate the study of respiroception, we here present a new, fully automated and computer-controlled apparatus and psychophysiological method, which can flexibly and easily measure respiratory-related interoceptive sensitivity, bias and metacognition, in as little as 30 min of testing, using easy to make 3D printable parts.

Analysis of results of research of the functional influence of the food product on the body of athletes

The aim of the work is to describe and analyze the study of the functional effect of bran bars "Sport Slim". To study the functional effectiveness of food for athletes to control body weight, performance and recovery processes in the body of athletes. Anthropometric, physiological, psychophysiological and biochemical research methods were used to study the consumption impact of a food product Sport Slim for athletes. As a result of the research, it has been found, that the course consumption of the bar "Sport Slim" affected the weight and body composition of athletes, decreased body weight and body fat percentage. Consumption of the bar has accelerated the recovery process in the body and increased the rate of operational thinking. Course consumption of the bran bar "Sport Slim" can be recommended for use in the training of qualified athletes to adjust the daily diet to correct body weight, to speed up recovery, to increase the effectiveness of training and competitive activities

НЕЙРОПСИХОФІЗІОЛОГІЧНЕ ОБСТЕЖЕННЯ ЯК ДОДАТКОВИЙ ІНСТРУМЕНТ ПІДВИЩЕННЯ НАДІЙНОСТІ ТА ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ПРОФЕСІЙНОГО ВІДБОРУ

Despite such a wide and comprehensive psychological and psychophysiological examination of recruits in modern professional selection systems both in the armies of NATO countries and Ukraine, the effectiveness of the process is insufficient. To identify the reasons for the insufficient prognostic effectiveness of modern psychophysiological methods, a study was made of the variability in the organization of brain structures to ensure the speed of a simple sensorimotor reaction (PSMR) of a high level as a basic characteristic of the functional state of the central nervous system. As a result of a survey of 54 servicemen of different specialties, it was found that the same indicators of the state of psychophysiological functions are provided by different strategies for their implementation. Electroencephalograms were recorded when military personnel performed a computer test to determine the speed of PSMR. It was revealed that at approximately the same rate of PSMR, different brain structures were activated in servicemen. Since the same PSMR value can be realized by different neural networks, what we do not detect during psychophysiological testing, but later on under stress, load, etc. military personnel may exhibit different behavioral strategies. Such types of behaviour make it possible to achieve the best results in various types of activity and correspond to the profiles of different military specialties, and vice versa, it can be assumed that neural networks of approximately the same type can implement somewhat different indicators of psychophysiological functions. The same psychophysiological profile can correspond to different profiles of military specialties and vice versa, several psychophysiological profiles can correspond to one specialty, since approximately the same values of psychophysiological functions can be realized by different neural networks. Therefore, psychophysiological testing should be supplemented with neurophysiological testing, since it allows revealing the internal features of the organization of the brain and predicting the further behavior of servicemen.