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Emotion expression production and recognition play a decisive and central role in individuals’ life. The consideration and the investigation of emotions result to be especially important allowing to comprehend individuals’ emotional experiences and empathic mechanisms, representing driving knowledge for brain-computer interfaces (BCI), through the implementation of emotional patterns into artificial intelligence tools and computers, and for in-deep comprehension of psychopathology (Balconi et al., 2015a). This article aims to allow the investigation of the neurophysiological correlates and characteristics associated with individuals’ facial expressions production and recognition, considering emotional responses provoked by internal cues based on autobiographic memories, called “self-induced by memories.” Indeed, as reported by Adolphs (2002), the human brain represents most effectively emotional data through the connection of information between different cerebral areas that allow to state and recognize emotional expressions from different stimuli, as visual or auditory ones. The human brain represents emotional data connecting facial, voice, and movement expressions with individuals’ past experiences. Moreover, the use of different neuroscientific techniques, as positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG), allow observing the involvement of specific cerebral regions in different emotional expressions, providing a map of the emotional brain activation (Balconi and Lucchiari, 2007; Balconi and Pozzoli, 2007; Deak, 2011; Kassam et al., 2013). Specifically, neuroimaging measures are used as input to Affective Computing technologies (Frantzidis et al., 2010). Different studies postulate the existence of discrete emotions, such as happiness, fear, anger, sadness, from which the other emotional states would derive (Ekman, 1999). The theory of discrete emotions has been criticized by the Circumplex Model of Affect (Russell, 1980), that describe and label emotions on the base of two dimensions: valence and arousal. Multimodal information are integrated by the human brain generating an integrated representation of different auditory and visual stimuli (Balconi and Carrera, 2011; Barros and Wermter, 2016). An important role is also played by facial motion in emotion perception and recognition. By providing unique information about the direction, quality, and speed of motion, dynamic stimuli enhance coherence in the identification of affect, lead to stronger emotion judgments, and facilitate the differentiation between posed and spontaneous expressions (Krumhuber et al., 2017; Oh et al., 2018; Goh et al., 2020). In this regard, also new technologies have introduced important innovations in face detection and recognition (Canedo and Neves, 2019). For example, sensors that may provide extra information and help the facial recognition systems to detect emotion in both static images and video sequences (Samadiani et al., 2019). However, despite the vast theoretical differences emerged in previous studies, it is commonly shared that emotional states and consequent responses to external stimuli are influences by arousal and valence (Balconi and Carrera, 2011; Balconi and Molteni, 2016), conceptualized in different ways as tension and energy, positive or negative affect, approach and withdrawal, and valence and arousal (Russell, 1980; Eysenck, 1990; Lang et al., 1997; Watson et al., 1999). In particular, valence refers to the pleasantness or unpleasantness of individuals’ emotional states; while, arousal refers to individuals’ perception of activation or not. Considering these two dimensions, therefore, each emotional state experienced by individuals can be defined according to a two-dimensional model, including respectively, the valence and arousal axis. The emotions of individuals, therefore, represent overlapping experiences that are cognitively interpreted in order to identify the responses and neurophysiological changes in the valence and arousal dimensions organized based on different eliciting factors, as different contexts and stimuli, autobiographical memories, and semantic representation or behavioral responses (Russell, 2003; Balconi and Vanutelli, 2016; Balconi et al., 2017). In this perspective, we may represent emotions as communication signals, as they allow individuals to implement sensorimotor responses congruent with external stimuli by attributing meaning to internal and external information. This process addresses both the individual’s body and the external environment, allowing the attribution of emotional meaning to the states experienced. Therefore, from a functional perspective, emotions are used to recognize and categorize some individual states in different social contexts. Actually, facial expression recognition is well considered in the fields of computer vision, pattern recognition, artificial intelligence, and has drawn extensive attentions owing to its potential applications to natural human-computer interaction (HCI), human emotion analysis, interactive video, image indexing and retrieval. Indeed, the emotional states’ recognition from face patterns and expression allows us to comprehend and satisfy the user’s needs facilitating human-machine interaction, especially when only emotional states are used to communicate with others (Kanchanadevi et al., 2019; Volynets et al., 2020). This shows how the fundamental role of emotions in individuals’ cognition (LeDoux, 1998) symbolizes a defying topic in Information Communication Technology (ICT) useful to respond to the high request, implementing machines able to assist individuals with several psychological and physical disorders or difficulties at a cognitive, social, or communicative level (Esposito and Jain, 2016). Also, integration between emotional memories (EM) and emotional...
Michela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. How to Induce and Recognize Facial Expression of Emotions by Using Past Emotional Memories: A Multimodal Neuroscientific Algorithm. Frontiers in Psychology 2021, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Giulia Fronda. How to Induce and Recognize Facial Expression of Emotions by Using Past Emotional Memories: A Multimodal Neuroscientific Algorithm. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. 2021. "How to Induce and Recognize Facial Expression of Emotions by Using Past Emotional Memories: A Multimodal Neuroscientific Algorithm." Frontiers in Psychology 12, no. : 1.
Recently, the neurosciences have become interested in the investigation of neural responses associated with the use of gestures. This study focuses on the relationship between the intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity mechanisms underlying the execution of different categories of gestures (positive and negative affective, social, and informative) characterizing non-verbal interactions between thirteen couples of subjects, each composed of an encoder and a decoder. The study results underline a similar modulation of intra- and inter-brain connectivity for alpha, delta, and theta frequency bands in specific areas (frontal or posterior regions) depending on the type of gesture. Moreover, taking into account the gestures’ valence (positive or negative), a similar modulation of intra- and inter-brain connectivity in the left and right sides was observed. This study showed congruence in the intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity trend during the execution of different gestures, underlining how non-verbal exchanges might be characterized by intra-brain phase alignment and implicit mechanisms of mirroring and synchronization between the two individuals involved in the social exchange.
Michela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. Intra-Brain Connectivity vs. Inter-Brain Connectivity in Gestures Reproduction: What Relationship? Brain Sciences 2021, 11, 577 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Giulia Fronda. Intra-Brain Connectivity vs. Inter-Brain Connectivity in Gestures Reproduction: What Relationship? Brain Sciences. 2021; 11 (5):577.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. 2021. "Intra-Brain Connectivity vs. Inter-Brain Connectivity in Gestures Reproduction: What Relationship?" Brain Sciences 11, no. 5: 577.
Human–computer interaction (HCI) is particularly interesting because full-immersive technology may be approached differently by users, depending on the complexity of the interaction, users’ personality traits, and their motivational systems inclination. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between psychological factors and attention towards specific tech-interactions in a smart home system (SHS). The relation between personal psychological traits and eye-tracking metrics is investigated through self-report measures [locus of control (LoC), user experience (UX), behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS)] and a wearable and wireless near-infrared illumination based eye-tracking system applied to an Italian sample (n = 19). Participants were asked to activate and interact with five different tech-interaction areas with different levels of complexity (entrance, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom) in a smart home system (SHS), while their eye-gaze behavior was recorded. Data showed significant differences between a simpler interaction (entrance) and a more complex one (living room), in terms of number of fixation. Moreover, slower time to first fixation in a multifaceted interaction (bathroom), compared to simpler ones (kitchen and living room) was found. Additionally, in two interaction conditions (living room and bathroom), negative correlations were found between external LoC and fixation count, and between BAS reward responsiveness scores and fixation duration. Findings led to the identification of a two-way process, where both the complexity of the tech-interaction and subjects’ personality traits are important impacting factors on the user’s visual exploration behavior. This research contributes to understand the user responsiveness adding first insights that may help to create more human-centered technology.
Federico Cassioli; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing 2021, 1 -10.
AMA StyleFederico Cassioli, Laura Angioletti, Michela Balconi. Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing. 2021; ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederico Cassioli; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. 2021. "Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures." Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing , no. : 1-10.
In a multicultural diverse society, healthcare professionals (HPs) should adopt a personalized approach with adequate attitudes and behaviors to respond promptly to the needs of patients with different cultural backgrounds who become regular users of the health service. This study aimed to explore the health representations of HPs taking charge of immigrant chronic patients in Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed on a sample of 54 HPs. Mixed quali-quantitative analysis was applied, including the method of discourse analysis. Results underlined the prevalence of specific recurring topics and words that highlight positive aspects but also weaknesses in chronic care models for immigrant patients, stressing what needs to be done. Keystones are the relational experience between HPs and patients and new specific training opportunities for HPs. To conclude, a new semi-structured interview schedule is proposed, able to obtain in-depth information on the representation of HPs toward immigrant chronic patients.
Laura Angioletti; Claudia Spinosa; Michela Balconi. What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis. Journal of Public Health 2021, 1 -8.
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Claudia Spinosa, Michela Balconi. What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis. Journal of Public Health. 2021; ():1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Claudia Spinosa; Michela Balconi. 2021. "What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis." Journal of Public Health , no. : 1-8.
Given their crucial role in everyday activities and successful aging, prefrontal executive functions (EFs) and their neural substrates may be a critical target for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions. This study investigates the empowerment effects of a prefrontal multi-session NIBS intervention on EF in a sample of healthy aging people. The present report investigates the long-term maintenance effects of such intervention. The experimental design included a control and experimental group, who underwent a neuropsychological assessment before (t0) and after (t1) the intervention period, and at a 6-month follow-up (t2). The intervention period lasted 8 weeks with 3 NIBS sessions per week. Results highlighted the up modulations of fluid intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and verbal generation, and visual attention in the experimental group partially maintained even at t2. Present findings may point out the potential of NIBS protocols targeting executive control and of upregulation of compensatory cortical activation even in healthy aging.
Michela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Federico Cassioli; Davide Crivelli. Neurocognitive Empowerment in Healthy Aging: a Pilot Study on the Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Executive Functions. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement 2021, 5, 343 -350.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Laura Angioletti, Federico Cassioli, Davide Crivelli. Neurocognitive Empowerment in Healthy Aging: a Pilot Study on the Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Executive Functions. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. 2021; 5 (3):343-350.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Federico Cassioli; Davide Crivelli. 2021. "Neurocognitive Empowerment in Healthy Aging: a Pilot Study on the Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Executive Functions." Journal of Cognitive Enhancement 5, no. 3: 343-350.
Thomas J. Yannuzzi; Deborah N. Smith; Michela Balconi; Kimberly R. Davis; Giulia Fronda; Laura Angioletti. Emergent Methodologies: New Approaches for Integrating Theory and Practice: Priority 9 of the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020–2025. Journal of Leadership Studies 2020, 14, 90 -96.
AMA StyleThomas J. Yannuzzi, Deborah N. Smith, Michela Balconi, Kimberly R. Davis, Giulia Fronda, Laura Angioletti. Emergent Methodologies: New Approaches for Integrating Theory and Practice: Priority 9 of the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020–2025. Journal of Leadership Studies. 2020; 14 (3):90-96.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas J. Yannuzzi; Deborah N. Smith; Michela Balconi; Kimberly R. Davis; Giulia Fronda; Laura Angioletti. 2020. "Emergent Methodologies: New Approaches for Integrating Theory and Practice: Priority 9 of the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020–2025." Journal of Leadership Studies 14, no. 3: 90-96.
From the very beginning of this severe pandemic, the intervention of psychologists in managing and containing the spreading infection has been essential. Now that, in some respects, the emergency for protection of human lives is receding, another opportunity for psychologists' intervention has emerged: the neuropsychological field. Recent scientific publications highlight the cognitive sequelae in neuro-COVID syndromes: tropism of this type of virus for central nervous system and prolonged periods of hypoxia due to severe desaturation represent highly significant factors in determining dysfunctional alterations of cognitive functioning. Indeed, it is widely known that protracted hypoxemic episodes cause cognitive impairments. For instance, Hopkins et al. (1) have pointed out that about 50% of patients with acute respiratory distress disorder (ARDS) shows cognitive alterations up to 2 years after the acute event. Consistently, the authors recommend carrying out an assessment of memory and executive functions in order to foster long-term monitoring processes. Concerning the etiopathogenetic nature of COVID-19, the virus' distinctive features favor its access up to the blood–brain barrier via retrograde axonal transport along cranial nerves—in particular, the olfactory nerve, which explains one of the most frequently reported symptoms. The alteration of the blood–brain barrier determines the onset of neurological conditions known as necrotizing acute encephalopathies (2–4). Moreover, patterns of brain lesions have been documented, with hemorrhagic effusions at well-defined hemorrhagic rims around the thalamus, in subregions of the medial temporal lobes, and in subinsular regions (4). Clinical features of COVID-19 are to be considered according to the severity of their manifestation: the clinical picture is defined as mild or asymptomatic when the disease occurs in the absence of dyspnea or desaturation; moderate when the O2 saturation is between 94 and 98% and there are signs of pneumonia on radiological examination; severe in case of O2 saturation below 93%, increased of respiratory rate, interstitial pneumonia, and need to add O2 to the natural respiratory process; and critical when, in addition, mechanical ventilation is required. Generally, patients with mild COVID-19 symptomatology recover with no need of specific interventions, whereas in moderate, severe, and critical forms, several systems, first and foremost the CNS, suffer from implications of the infection. Persistent desaturation levels are associated with worsening dyspnea, which, in turn, has serious repercussions on brain metabolism (5). In their work, Carda et al. (5) also report the clinical experience with a sample of Italian COVID-19 patients, which have presented cognitive alterations such as memory disorders, deficits of executive functions and, among older subjects with severe forms, confusion [see also (6, 7)]. These impairments are due to the effect of the viral infection on the central nervous system, as previously mentioned, and to long periods of hypoxygenation and brain injuries, as clearly reported by Girardini et al. (8). Likewise, Li et al. (9) report, in a study conducted on a sample of 211 patients, that patients with severe infection develop cerebrovascular impairment syndromes. In a systematic review, it was confirmed that one out of four patients with ARDS consequent to COVID-19 infection develops neuropsychological symptoms as a manifestation of CNS involvement (10). Hence, it is strongly recommended that early identification and care of cognitive deficits should be performed. Neurological deficits involve, among others, severe changes in the state of consciousness and consequent alterations of cognitive functions (7). What has been so far highlighted by scientific evidence seems sufficiently convincing to demonstrate that this type of lung disease can remarkably affect the CNS and that cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions may be severely compromised (11, 12). Indeed, behavioral alterations compatible with delirium and loss of control have also been found as a consequence of hypoxemia and cerebral lesions. On the other hand, thymic alterations, such as dysphoria and mood tone deflection, are frequently associated with isolation and sudden loss of meaningful social contacts with significant family members. Figure 1 reports main neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Figure 1. Main neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Field experience shared by colleagues working in these areas points out that, in these days, neuropsychologists are facing a constantly increasing number of requests for assessment and care of patients showing cognitive outcomes as a result of the new coronavirus infection. It is reasonable to think that when all concerns about the potential risk for transmission of the contagion and isolation have ceased and people are to resume their usual working activities, the invalidating cognitive consequences will emerge with strength and the demand for neuropsychological intervention will further increase. In our opinion, it is necessary to boost neuropsychological services and, consequently, the number of psychologists serving in the neuropsychology field, in order to cope with the increase in demand. Effective measures to be taken with this kind of patients involve—in addition to the dissemination of information concerning the high risk of cognitive repercussions—neuropsychological assessment, rehabilitation treatment, and the role of the psychologist/neuropsychologist in managing cognitive issues. Table 1 summarizes recommendations for neuropsychologists' practice. Table 1. Summary of recommendation for neuropsychologists. Neuropsychological assessment, which cannot be considered as the mere administration of psychometric tests, provides a profile of residual abilities, emerging...
Matteo Sozzi; Lorella Algeri; Matteo Corsano; Davide Crivelli; Maria Angela Daga; Francesca Fumagalli; Paola Gemignani; Maria Concetta Granieri; Maria Grazia Inzaghi; Francesca Pala; Simone Turati; Michela Balconi. Neuropsychology in the Times of COVID-19. The Role of the Psychologist in Taking Charge of Patients With Alterations of Cognitive Functions. Frontiers in Neurology 2020, 11, 573207 .
AMA StyleMatteo Sozzi, Lorella Algeri, Matteo Corsano, Davide Crivelli, Maria Angela Daga, Francesca Fumagalli, Paola Gemignani, Maria Concetta Granieri, Maria Grazia Inzaghi, Francesca Pala, Simone Turati, Michela Balconi. Neuropsychology in the Times of COVID-19. The Role of the Psychologist in Taking Charge of Patients With Alterations of Cognitive Functions. Frontiers in Neurology. 2020; 11 ():573207.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatteo Sozzi; Lorella Algeri; Matteo Corsano; Davide Crivelli; Maria Angela Daga; Francesca Fumagalli; Paola Gemignani; Maria Concetta Granieri; Maria Grazia Inzaghi; Francesca Pala; Simone Turati; Michela Balconi. 2020. "Neuropsychology in the Times of COVID-19. The Role of the Psychologist in Taking Charge of Patients With Alterations of Cognitive Functions." Frontiers in Neurology 11, no. : 573207.
Decisional conflicts have been investigated with social decision-making tasks, which represent good models to elicit social and emotional dynamics, including fairness perception. To explore these issues, we created two modified versions of the UG framed within an economic vs. a moral context that included two kinds of unfair offers: advantageous (upside, U) or disadvantageous (downside, D) from the responder’s perspective, and vice-versa for the proponent. The hemodynamic activity of 36 participants, 20 females and 16 males, was continuously recorded with fNIRS to investigate the presence of general or specific circuits between the different experimental conditions. Results showed that disadvantageous offers (D) are associated with an increased widespread cortical activation. Furthermore, we found that advantageous moral choices at the expense of others (U) were related to the activation of the right prefrontal cortex. Finally, we found gender-related differences in brain activations in the different frameworks. In particular, the DLPFC was recruited by females during the economic task, and by males during the moral frame. In conclusion, the present study confirmed and expanded previous data about the role of the prefrontal cortices in decision-making, suggesting the need for further studies to understand better the different prefrontal networks serving moral and economic decisions also considering gender-related differences.
Maria Vanutelli; Francesca Meroni; Giulia Fronda; Michela Balconi; Claudio Lucchiari. Gender Differences and Unfairness Processing during Economic and Moral Decision-Making: A fNIRS Study. Brain Sciences 2020, 10, 647 .
AMA StyleMaria Vanutelli, Francesca Meroni, Giulia Fronda, Michela Balconi, Claudio Lucchiari. Gender Differences and Unfairness Processing during Economic and Moral Decision-Making: A fNIRS Study. Brain Sciences. 2020; 10 (9):647.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Vanutelli; Francesca Meroni; Giulia Fronda; Michela Balconi; Claudio Lucchiari. 2020. "Gender Differences and Unfairness Processing during Economic and Moral Decision-Making: A fNIRS Study." Brain Sciences 10, no. 9: 647.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) proved to be a valuable technique for the investigation of neural bases of cognitive and affective functions. Based on a reasoned recognition of available relevant literature, we have summarized the most consistent findings concerning TMS studies on attention and executive functions, memory, language, emotion processing, and social perception and behaviour. Besides such conceptual systematization, the discussion also focuses on methodological critical issues, open questions, and potential implications for future research.
Michela Balconi; Davide Crivelli. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cognitive Neurosciences: Applications and Open Questions. Non Invasive Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2020, 191 -208.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Davide Crivelli. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cognitive Neurosciences: Applications and Open Questions. Non Invasive Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 2020; ():191-208.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Davide Crivelli. 2020. "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cognitive Neurosciences: Applications and Open Questions." Non Invasive Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences , no. : 191-208.
Neuro-Empowerment of Executive Functions in the Workplace: The Reason Why
Michela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Davide Crivelli. Neuro-Empowerment of Executive Functions in the Workplace: The Reason Why. Frontiers in Psychology 2020, 11, 1519 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Laura Angioletti, Davide Crivelli. Neuro-Empowerment of Executive Functions in the Workplace: The Reason Why. Frontiers in Psychology. 2020; 11 ():1519.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Davide Crivelli. 2020. "Neuro-Empowerment of Executive Functions in the Workplace: The Reason Why." Frontiers in Psychology 11, no. : 1519.
Empathy for pain is at the basis of altruistic behaviors and is known to be modulated by variables such as group membership, pleasantness or unpleasantness of situations and social relationships. Also, face attractiveness and aesthetic judgment might play a role when observing a person in painful conditions, by increasing individuals’ empathic responsiveness. Indeed, physical attractiveness can modify both the perception of the face itself and its reception in a social context. In the present study, we aimed to assess cortical activity when attention is focused on the aesthetic features of an individual showing painful feelings. Brain activity (optical imaging: functional near-infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS), considered in its hemodynamic components (oxygenated [oxy-Hb] and deoxygenated hemoglobin [deoxy-Hb]) was monitored when 22 subjects (Mage = 24.9; SD = 3.6) observed faces (attractive; unattractive) that received painful stimulations (pain; no pain) and were asked to judge the attractiveness and pain condition of the face. Specifically, we targeted the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), sensory cortex, and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). Analyses revealed significant lower oxy-Hb levels in left IFG compared to right hemispheric channels when asking participants to rate faces attractiveness independently from the stimulus features. Besides, lower levels of deoxy-Hb were detected in the right TPJ for unattractive faces compared to attractive faces. Overall, present findings highlighted that the formulation of an aesthetic judgment and face attractiveness plays a relevant role in empathic concerns and this seems to be able to overlay painful appraisal.
Michela Balconi; Natalia Kopis; Laura Angioletti. Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study. Experimental Brain Research 2020, 238, 2067 -2076.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Natalia Kopis, Laura Angioletti. Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study. Experimental Brain Research. 2020; 238 (9):2067-2076.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Natalia Kopis; Laura Angioletti. 2020. "Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study." Experimental Brain Research 238, no. 9: 2067-2076.
Gestural communication characterizes daily individuals’ interactions in order to share information and to modify others’ behavior. Social neuroscience has investigated the neural bases which support recognizing of different gestures. The present research, through the use of the hyperscanning approach, that allows the simultaneously recording of the activity of two or more individuals involved in a joint action, aims to investigate the neural bases of gestural communication. Moreover, by using hyperscanning paradigm we explore the inter-brain connectivity between two inter-agents, the one who performed the gesture (encoder) and the one who received it (decoder), with functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the reproduction of affective, social and informative gestures with positive and negative valence. Result showed an increase in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (O2Hb) and inter-brain connectivity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for affective gestures, in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) for social gestures and the frontal eye fields (FEF) for informative gestures, for both encoder and decoder. Furthermore, it emerged that positive gestures activate more the left DLPFC, with an increase in inter-brain connectivity in DLPFC and SFG. The present study revealed the relevant function of the type and valence of gestures in affecting intra- and inter-brain connectivity.
Michela Balconi; Giulia Fronda; Angela Bartolo. Affective, Social, and Informative Gestures Reproduction in Human Interaction: Hyperscanning and Brain Connectivity. Journal of Motor Behavior 2020, 53, 296 -315.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Giulia Fronda, Angela Bartolo. Affective, Social, and Informative Gestures Reproduction in Human Interaction: Hyperscanning and Brain Connectivity. Journal of Motor Behavior. 2020; 53 (3):296-315.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Giulia Fronda; Angela Bartolo. 2020. "Affective, Social, and Informative Gestures Reproduction in Human Interaction: Hyperscanning and Brain Connectivity." Journal of Motor Behavior 53, no. 3: 296-315.
Giulia Fronda; Michela Balconi. The effect of interbrain synchronization in gesture observation: A fNIRS study. Brain and Behavior 2020, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleGiulia Fronda, Michela Balconi. The effect of interbrain synchronization in gesture observation: A fNIRS study. Brain and Behavior. 2020; 10 (7):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Fronda; Michela Balconi. 2020. "The effect of interbrain synchronization in gesture observation: A fNIRS study." Brain and Behavior 10, no. 7: 1.
Prospective memory (PM) is a cognitive high load activity. Two main models showed the relation between working memory (WM) and PM. The preparatory attentional and memory processes model (PAM) posits an interdependence between WM and PM; while, the multiprocess framework assumes independence between these two functions. With the aim to investigate this relation, two tasks were administered to a sample of 21 healthy participants. The first task (arithmetic) required low cognitive and WM load together with a prospective task, the second (PASAT) required high cognitive and WM load together with a prospective switching task. The prospective task included two modalities of administration: based on a sound cue (event-based) or at a given moment (time-based). PM accuracy was influenced by WM only when paired to complex tasks that require high cognitive load on WM and active PM self-retrieval processes (time-PASAT), supporting partial independence between these two mechanisms.
Giulia Fronda; Cecilia Monti; Matteo Sozzi; Massimo Corbo; Michela Balconi. Prospective memory and working memory in comparison. New experimental paradigms. International Journal of Neuroscience 2020, 130, 834 -840.
AMA StyleGiulia Fronda, Cecilia Monti, Matteo Sozzi, Massimo Corbo, Michela Balconi. Prospective memory and working memory in comparison. New experimental paradigms. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2020; 130 (8):834-840.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Fronda; Cecilia Monti; Matteo Sozzi; Massimo Corbo; Michela Balconi. 2020. "Prospective memory and working memory in comparison. New experimental paradigms." International Journal of Neuroscience 130, no. 8: 834-840.
Communication can be considered as a joint action that involves two or more individuals transmitting different information. In particular, non-verbal communication involves body movements used to communicate different information, characterized by the use of specific gestures. The present study aims to investigate the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates underlying the use of affective, social, and informative gestures during a non-verbal interaction between an encoder and decoder. From the results of the single brain and inter-brain analyses, an increase of frontal alpha, delta, and theta brain responsiveness and inter-brain connectivity emerged for affective and social gestures; while, for informative gestures, an increase of parietal alpha brain responsiveness and alpha, delta, and theta inter-brain connectivity was observed. Regarding the inter-agents’ role, an increase of frontal alpha activity was observed in the encoder compared to the decoder for social and affective gestures. Finally, regarding gesture valence, an increase of theta brain responsiveness and theta and beta inter-brain connectivity was observed for positive gestures on the left side compared to the right one. This study, therefore, revealed the function of the gesture type and valence in influencing individuals’ brain responsiveness and inter-brain connectivity, showing the presence of resonance mechanisms underlying gesture execution and observation.
Michela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. The Use of Hyperscanning to Investigate the Role of Social, Affective, and Informative Gestures in Non-Verbal Communication. Electrophysiological (EEG) and Inter-Brain Connectivity Evidence. Brain Sciences 2020, 10, 29 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Giulia Fronda. The Use of Hyperscanning to Investigate the Role of Social, Affective, and Informative Gestures in Non-Verbal Communication. Electrophysiological (EEG) and Inter-Brain Connectivity Evidence. Brain Sciences. 2020; 10 (1):29.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. 2020. "The Use of Hyperscanning to Investigate the Role of Social, Affective, and Informative Gestures in Non-Verbal Communication. Electrophysiological (EEG) and Inter-Brain Connectivity Evidence." Brain Sciences 10, no. 1: 29.
Recently, different psychological studies have been interested in identifying the factors that regulate the development and maintenance of long-lasting interpersonal and social relationships. Specifically, the present research explored the link between gift exchange, gratitude and cognitive effects. The behavioral performance and neural activity of 32 participants were recorded during a cooperative game to be played before and after gift exchange. Specifically, participants had to perform the task coupled with a dear friend. Half of the couples were asked to exchange a gift before the task performance; the other half was asked to exchange a gift halfway through the task performance. For hemodynamic brain responses, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used. Results showed that an increase in cognitive performance occurred after the exchange of gifts, with improved accuracy and lower response times in task performance. Regarding hemodynamic responses, an increase in oxygenated hemoglobin was detected, especially in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex following the gift exchange. Furthermore, it was observed that gift exchange before the beginning of the task increased the performance level. The present study provides a significant contribution to the identification of those factors that enable the increased cognitive performance based on cooperative relationships.
Michela Balconi; Giulia Fronda; Maria Elide Vanutelli. A gift for gratitude and cooperative behavior: brain and cognitive effects. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 2019, 14, 1317 -1327.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Giulia Fronda, Maria Elide Vanutelli. A gift for gratitude and cooperative behavior: brain and cognitive effects. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. 2019; 14 (12):1317-1327.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Giulia Fronda; Maria Elide Vanutelli. 2019. "A gift for gratitude and cooperative behavior: brain and cognitive effects." Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 14, no. 12: 1317-1327.
Empirical management research has focused more on the investigation of important interpersonal factors that could be beneficial for a company’s well-being, including emotional and empathic engagement between managers and employees. Recent research has increasingly embodied a neuroscientific methods and paradigms. Specifically, the capacity to understand and mirror others’ feelings could result in a mutual adaptation that generates interpersonal tuning (IT). In the present study, IT was considered as interpersonal coordination of specific physiological processes between two or more subjects in interaction with each other. We measured IT by applying a hyperscanning approach with simultaneous recording of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from two participants interacting together, in addition to interpersonal behavioral measures. 11 leaders and 11 employees were recruited and asked to role-play an employee performance review with a rating (R) or no rating (NR) condition. In the NR condition leaders describe by words the employee’s proficiency, while in R they provided a quantitative rating. The NR condition emerged as the more engaging situation in terms of empathic responses and mirroring. This difference was detectable from localization of neurophysiological effects over the frontopolar and frontal brain areas, and the higher synchronization of EEG delta frequency coherence. Behavioral resultsalso revealed an increase of self-perceived emotional tuning, agreement on content, and interpersonal cooperation in the NR condition compared to R condition. These effects were present in both leaders and employeesand have several implications for social and company well-being.
Michela Balconi; Irene Venturella; Giulia Fronda; Maria Elide Vanutelli. Leader-employee emotional “interpersonal tuning”.An EEG coherence study. Social Neuroscience 2019, 15, 234 -243.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Irene Venturella, Giulia Fronda, Maria Elide Vanutelli. Leader-employee emotional “interpersonal tuning”.An EEG coherence study. Social Neuroscience. 2019; 15 (2):234-243.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Irene Venturella; Giulia Fronda; Maria Elide Vanutelli. 2019. "Leader-employee emotional “interpersonal tuning”.An EEG coherence study." Social Neuroscience 15, no. 2: 234-243.
Little is presently known about customers’ expectations and the unspoken relevant factors which lead them to prefer or not sustainable luxury products. This study aimed to deepen the understanding of luxury consumers’ implicit intentions towards sustainability by using, for the first time, a neuroscientific approach applied to the luxury fashion domain. A greater cortical activity related to cognitive and emotional aspects was hypothesized for luxury sustainability-oriented consumers than for non-sustainability-oriented subjects when presented with sustainability-related cues. Sixteen luxury consumers were divided into two groups according to their sensitivity towards sustainability issues. They were asked to observe a set of 10 stimuli depicting sustainability issues and then to interact with a salesperson while their cortical activity was recorded by an electroencephalogram (EEG). Frequency band analysis revealed higher levels of beta, delta, and theta band EEG activity in temporoparietal than frontocentral areas when observing pictures related to sustainability and a specific right temporoparietal theta band activation for the Nonsustainable Group. An increased level of knowledge of sustainability themes was confirmed by the correct detection of stimuli valence and a significant presence of delta power when the salesperson explained the brand’s sustainable policy. The specific brain responses related to sensitivity towards sustainability and the different effect of knowledge on sustainability topics based on group differences are discussed here in light of emotional behavior.
Michela Balconi; Roberta Sebastiani; Laura Angioletti. A Neuroscientific Approach to Explore Consumers’ Intentions Towards Sustainability within the Luxury Fashion Industry. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5105 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Roberta Sebastiani, Laura Angioletti. A Neuroscientific Approach to Explore Consumers’ Intentions Towards Sustainability within the Luxury Fashion Industry. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (18):5105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Roberta Sebastiani; Laura Angioletti. 2019. "A Neuroscientific Approach to Explore Consumers’ Intentions Towards Sustainability within the Luxury Fashion Industry." Sustainability 11, no. 18: 5105.
Moral decision-making is central to guide our social behavior, and it is based on emotional and cognitive reasoning processes. In the present research, we investigated the moral decision-making in a company context by the recording of autonomic responses (skin conductance response, heart rate frequency, and variability), in three different moral conditions (professional fit, company fit, social fit) and three different offers (fair, unfair, neutral). In particular, the first professional fit condition required participants to accept or reject some offers proposing the money subdivision for a work done together with a colleague. The second company fit condition required participants to evaluate offers regarding the investment of a part of the money in the introduction of some company's benefits. Finally, the third social fit condition required participants to accept or refuse a money subdivision to support a colleague's relative with health problems financially. Results underlined the significant effect of both the condition, with increased autonomic effects more for personal and social than company fit, and the offer type, with differences for fair and neutral offers compared to unfair ones. This research shows how individual, situational, and contextual factors influence moral decision-making in a company context.
Michela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. Physiological Correlates of Moral Decision-Making in the Professional Domain. Brain Sciences 2019, 9, 229 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Giulia Fronda. Physiological Correlates of Moral Decision-Making in the Professional Domain. Brain Sciences. 2019; 9 (9):229.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Giulia Fronda. 2019. "Physiological Correlates of Moral Decision-Making in the Professional Domain." Brain Sciences 9, no. 9: 229.
Recently, it has been demonstrated that chronic inflammation could have a role on fatigue onset in chronic hemodialysis (HD). Research on neuro-immune interactions highlighted that an alteration of basal ganglia functioning, secondary to chronic inflammation, may translate in a reduced motivation and altered reward processes in chronic diseases. This study investigated a possible correlation between fatigue severity and reward mechanisms, that regulate motivational dispositions, in HD patients. Evaluation scales were administered to ninety-four patients on HD (54 Male, 40 Female; Mdage = 67±26.5; Dialytic Mdage in years = 4±6.3. Fatigue was assessed by using Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioural Activation System (BAS) Scale was administered to investigate approach/avoidance behaviours. Anxiety and depression were measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results show that the distribution of HD patients for FSS score did not show a normal pattern. FSS score was significantly higher in patients with high BIS Z-score than in patients with low and medium BIS Z-score. BDI score and STAI-Y scores were similar among BIS Z-score groups of patients. Findings suggest that in patients on chronic hemodialysis there is a correlation between fatigue severity symptoms and motivational disposition mechanisms that predispose to action inhibition.
Maurizio Bossola; Laura Angioletti; Enrico Di Stasio; Carlo Vulpio; Daniela De Filippis; Michela Balconi. Reward (BIS/BAS) mechanisms and fatigue in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Psychology, Health & Medicine 2019, 25, 710 -718.
AMA StyleMaurizio Bossola, Laura Angioletti, Enrico Di Stasio, Carlo Vulpio, Daniela De Filippis, Michela Balconi. Reward (BIS/BAS) mechanisms and fatigue in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2019; 25 (6):710-718.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaurizio Bossola; Laura Angioletti; Enrico Di Stasio; Carlo Vulpio; Daniela De Filippis; Michela Balconi. 2019. "Reward (BIS/BAS) mechanisms and fatigue in patients on chronic hemodialysis." Psychology, Health & Medicine 25, no. 6: 710-718.