Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Understanding biological motion through the lens of animate motion processing
No full textBiological motion (BM), the movement generated by living entities, transmits signals of life and conveys vital cues for animacy perception. In this review, we synthesize empirical findings from human and non-human animal studies to reveal how BM enjoys a unique position in visual perception as an animate motion and how it elicits animacy perception. Compared to non-biological and inanimate motions, BM engages specialized perceptual processing mechanisms and a dedicated cortical-subcortical network. Local motion cues, especially the foot movements of terrestrial animals, are pivotal in driving such specificity, and emerging evidence supports the existence of an innate, evolutionarily conserved "Life Detector" or "Step Detector" tuned to such information in the human and other vertebrate brains. The direct perception of animacy from BM relies on the processing of low-level kinematic features and mid-level motion features embedded in both intrinsic joint movements and extrinsic body motion. While ecological constraints and implied internal energy sources may serve as generic factors affecting animacy perception from visual motion, how precise BM features (both in intrinsic and extrinsic movements) combine to influence animacy percepts and the neural implementation remain largely unexplored. Addressing these gaps will help establish a framework for understanding BM through the lens of animate motion processing. This approach will offer deeper insights into how the life detection system hardwired in the vertebrate brain distinguishes animate from inanimate motion, further uncovering its broader cognitive and evolutionary implications
Depression May Not Be Related to Impaired Interoceptive Sensibility: The Role of Alexithymia
No full textInteroceptive impairments are increasingly recognized as psychopathology processes underlying emotional disorders. However, their relationship with depression remains inconclusive. Alexithymia may influence the association between interoception and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to examine the role of alexithymia between interoception and depression. Eighty-eight depressed patients (DEPs) and fifty healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Interoceptive sensibility was assessed using the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, and interoceptive accuracy and interoceptive awareness were evaluated through heartbeat counting tasks. Alexithymia was measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. In the DEP group, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale. In DEPs, none of the three dimensions of interoception were associated with depressive symptoms. The alexithymic depressed patients exhibited lower interoceptive sensibility than their non-alexithymic counterparts, while the latter did not differ from the HC group. Moreover, alexithymia mediated the link between interoceptive sensibility and depressive symptoms. These results suggested that impaired interoceptive sensibility may primarily contribute to alexithymia, which, in turn, leads to depression. This highlights the importance of addressing alexithymia in therapeutic interventions aimed at improving the interoceptive process in depressed individuals
What Increases the Risk of Sleep Problems for Train Drivers? Evidence From Network Analysis
No full textPrevious studies have established robust associations between sleep quality in shift workers and factors such as cognition, stressors, mental states, and positive traits. However, the hierarchical relationships among these factors, such as proximal versus distal influences, and their mechanistic interactions in shaping sleep outcomes, remain unclear. In this study, we assessed 769 train drivers at baseline (T1), with 694 participants completing a follow-up sleep assessment 6 months later (T2). Using cross-sectional (T1) and longitudinal (T1-T2) network analyses, we mapped the interrelationships among these variables. Our findings indicate that mental states (e.g., anxiety, somatisation) serve as the most proximal predictors of sleep disturbances, while positive traits (e.g., mindfulness) function as intermediate factors. Cognition and external stressors emerged as the most distal influences. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal networks highlighted anxiety, somatisation, and sleep-related symptoms as key bridge nodes with high centrality. Notably, mindfulness exhibited strong bridging properties in the longitudinal analysis. These results suggest that mental states, particularly anxiety and somatisation, play a critical and immediate role in sleep dysfunction among train drivers. Interventions targeting mindfulness may offer a promising therapeutic avenue for improving sleep in this population.</p
Active positive searching versus passive negative avoidance: A comparative investigation of large-scale offline attention bias modification training in nonclinical adolescents
No full textAttentional bias (AB), characterized by a disproportionate allocation of attention toward threat-related stimuli, constitutes a well-established cognitive mechanism underlying anxiety disorders. As a targeted intervention, attentional bias modification (ABM) has garnered substantial empirical support for its efficacy in attenuating AB and ameliorating anxiety symptomatology. This study evaluated and compared the effectiveness of three major ABM training paradigms in reducing attentional bias manifestations: dot-probe task-based ABM (DPT-ABM), emotional spatial cueing task-based ABM (ESCT-ABM), and visual search task-based ABM (VST-ABM). Using the attention to negative inventory (ANI) scale, we screened 202 non-clinical adolescents exhibiting elevated levels of negative attentional bias (NAB) and randomly assigned them to either an active modification group (DPT-ABM, ESCT-ABM, or VST-ABM) or a matched control group (DPT-C, ESCT-C, or VST-C). Participants underwent eight offline training sessions across a four-week period. Attentional bias scores (ABS), learning anxiety, and sense of agency (SoA) were assessed at pre-test and post-test intervals. Additionally, a three-month follow-up evaluation was conducted to examine long-term changes in ABS. The results showed that VST-ABM led to significant and sustained reductions in ABS compared to its control group, while other paradigms did not produce such effects. This study provides new evidence that active search training for positive emotional stimuli in VST-ABM is more effective than passive avoidance training of negative stimuli in reducing negative attentional bias and improving emotional well-being in non-clinical adolescents.</p
Micro-Expression Key Frame Inference
No full textMicro-expressions (MEs) are brief, involuntary facial movements critical for detecting lies, drawing growing interest in psychology and computer science. However, annotating ME can burden human coders with excessive time commitment and overwhelming information that compromises coding reliability and efficiency. Such difficulties in data annotation also led to the small sample size problem and hindered the development of ME analysis. Specifically, our psychological research highlights the complexities involved in human annotation of key frames. To facilitate the annotating process of ME, we proposed the Micro-Expression Key Frame Inference (ME-KFI) problem, aiming to identify MEs' temporal locations from a single frame, reducing manual annotation effort. We propose a Micro-Expression Contrastive Identification Annotation (MECIA) method as a solution to ME-KFI, including three modules: a contrastive module, an identification module, and an annotation module, corresponding to the three steps of manual annotation. The network's outputs infer the key frame of ME clips. MECIA demonstrates superior performance over random baselines on SAMM and CAS(ME)2 databases and maintains comparable recognition accuracy with ground-truth clips
Cerebellar Stimulation Modulates Reward Processing: A High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Study
No full textReward processing involves several components, including reward anticipation, cost-effort computation, reward consumption, reward sensitivity, and reward learning. Recent research has highlighted the cerebellum's role in reward processing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cerebellar stimulation on reward processing using high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS). In this single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study, 63 healthy adults received either active (N = 31) or sham (N = 32) 1.7 mA HD-tDCS targeting the right posterior cerebellum for 20 minutes. Reward processing was assessed before and after stimulation using the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) Task, the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards (EEfRT-Adaptive) Task, and the Probabilistic Stimulus Selection Task (PST). Results showed that the active stimulation group preserved anticipatory and consummatory pleasure in response to high rewards in the MID task, whereas the sham group exhibited a decline in these measures from pre-test to post-test. The active stimulation group had enhanced reward sensitivity in the EEfRT-adaptive task. HD-tDCS appeared to influence the reward learning rate in the PST, although this effect was moderated by participants' emotional state. Our study provides preliminary evidence that HD-tDCS targeting the cerebellum can effectively modulate multiple facets of reward processing. Cerebellar stimulation may have therapeutic potential for psychiatric patients with impaired reward processing
Hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic schizophrenia: prevalence, clinical correlates, and paradoxical associations with symptom severity
No full textBackgroundElevated homocysteine levels, known as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Most prior studies focused on first-episode or acute-phase schizophrenia patients, leaving the prevalence, determinants, and clinical correlates of HHcy in chronic schizophrenia understudied. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of HHcy in patients with chronic schizophrenia, as well as its clinical correlates.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 509 patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia, recruited from multiple psychiatric hospitals in China. Demographic, clinical, and lifestyle data were collected through structured interviews and medical record reviews. Blood samples were analyzed for homocysteine levels and other biochemical parameters. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) were used to assess clinical symptoms and cognitive function. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of HHcy.ResultsThe prevalence of HHcy in the study population was 56.2%. Patients with HHcy were significantly older (mean age: 52.1 +/- 12.2 years) and had a higher proportion of males (67.1%) compared to those without HHcy. The HHcy group exhibited milder positive and general psychopathology symptoms, as indicated by lower PANSS scores, revealing unexpected inverse associations with symptom severity. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), total bilirubin (TBIL), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were observed in the HHcy group. Binary logistic regression analysis identified female gender and older age as independent predictors of HHcy.ConclusionsThis study highlights a high prevalence of HHcy in patients with chronic schizophrenia, associated with older age and male gender. Contrary to expectations, HHcy was linked to milder symptom severity, suggesting a potential paradoxical relationship.</p
Cross-Category Attentional Biases Driven by Visual Mental Imagery of Social Cues
No full textIn cluttered and complex natural scenes, selective attention enables the visual system to prioritize relevant information. This process is guided not only by perceptual cues but also by imagined ones. The current research extends the imagery-induced attentional bias to the unconscious level and reveals its cross-category applicability between different social cues (e.g., eye gaze and biological motion). Using a visual imagery task combined with an attentional bias paradigm, we showed that imagining a gaze cue biased selective attention toward the imagery-matching eye gaze. Removing the imagery task obliterated the attentional effect, emphasizing the pivotal role of mental imagery in driving the observed results. Furthermore, the attentional bias persisted even when the physically presented eye gazes were rendered invisible, suggesting the automaticity of the effect and a dissociation between attention and consciousness. When the imagery content involved biological motion cues, cross-categorical attentional bias toward imagery-matching eye gaze was evident. However, this cross-categorical effect did not extend to nonsocial arrow cues-imagining an arrow cue failed to bias attention toward imagery-matching eye gaze, though arrow cues induced within-categorical attentional biases for imagery-matching arrows. These findings point to the existence of shared mechanisms dedicated to processing different social cues rather than nonsocial cues. Taken together, the present study highlights a novel mechanism through which social cue-based imagery guides spatial attention, which operates independently of visual awareness and is supported by a dedicated social module, shedding light on the intricate interplay between the internal mental representations and the external physical world.</p
The regulatory mechanism of D2-MSNs in stimulus-response strategy behavior mediated by the dorsomedial striatum
No full text刺激反应策略（Stimulus-Response association，S-R）行为被认为是一种可以节省认知资源而形成的习惯化行为模式，其由目标导向策略（Action-Outcome， A-O）行为在反复强化基础上发展而来。然而，当前关于习惯化行为调控机制的 研究存在显著矛盾，尤其是在 A-O 向 S-R 策略转化后背外侧纹状体（Dorsolateral Striatum，DLS）取代背内侧纹状体（Dorsomedial Striatum，DMS）主导 S-R 策 略的机制受到质疑。这一矛盾可能源于以往的习惯化行为范式无法准确定义驱动 行为表达的反应策略。为解决这一问题，本研究构建了一种基于行为策略检测的习惯化行为范式，并利用转基因大鼠，结合行为药理学、免疫组织化学及化学遗 传学，系统揭示了背侧纹状体调控 S-R 策略行为的关键脑区及其神经元的特异性机制。研究结果显示，经过固定比率（Fixed Ratio,FR）和随机可变间隔（Random Interval，RI）相结合的程序进行训练，并采用移除奖赏物（Extinction Test，Ex Test） 以及连续降级（Contingency Degradation，CD）程序测试后，总体约 56%的动物 表现为 S-R 策略行为（习惯组，Habit Group）；44%的动物仍保留 A-O 策略行为（非习惯组，Non-habit Group）。免疫荧光技术检测发现，在 S-R 策略主导的习惯化行为表达过程中，DMS 而非 DLS，显著激活；并且，DMS 脑区显微注射多巴胺 D2 型受体（D2R）拮抗剂能够抑制习惯化行为表达；而拮抗多巴胺 D1 型受体（D1R）则没有该行为学效应。此外，与抑制 D1 型中型多棘神经元（D1-MSNs） 相比，化学遗传学技术选择性抑制DMS脑区的D2型中型多棘神经元（D2-MSNs） 显著阻断 S-R 策略行为的表达。上述结果表明，DMS 脑区通过特异性调控 D2-MSNs 活性介导 S-R 策略行为的表达过程。提示：DLS 和 DMS 可能并非单 一参与策略行为，相反，D1-MSNs 和 D2-MSNs 在神经元水平的特异性反应可能 是其调控功能的关键机制，从而为策略转换失衡导致病理性习惯化行为的深入理 解提供新的思路。</p
The influencing factors and neural mechanisms of the sense of agency in human-machine interactions
No full text在自动化技术深度应用于航空航天、自动驾驶等安全攸关领域的时代背景下，人机协同情境中操作者的控制感已成为影响系统接受度与协作效率的关键因素。 其中，主动控制感 (sense of agency, SoA) 是指个体在与外界环境交互的过程中控制自身行为及其后果的主观体验，它对动作执行、责任归因和自动化系统的可接受性有着重要影响。然而，目前关于人机协同情境中系统特性 (如系统可解释性、系统可靠性及自动化程度) 与任务情境特性 (如任务难度等) 等因素影响主动控制感的作用机制仍存在争议。现有研究表明，增强自动化系统的可解释性 (如提供系统意图或系统决策信心的相关信息) 有助于恢复甚至提高操作者的主 动控制感及对系统的可接受性。然而，自动化系统的高可靠性虽然可以减少系统故障的发生，但也可能导致操作者的过度信任与依赖，从而降低操作者的参与度并削弱其控制体验；但在自动化系统提供的帮助不那么可靠时，人类操作者的主动控制感是否受到影响以及在多大程度上受到影响，仍未得到系统性的解答。此外，自动化程度与任务难度对主动控制感的影响可能因交互情境或任务性质的不同而有所差异，当前研究尚未得出统一结论。并且，目前很少有研究使用 EEG 等神经电生理技术揭示社会交互情境中主动控制感的神经机制，尤其是在人机交互情境中。基于此，本研究使用具有现实应用价值的、自动化系统提供辅助的模拟 驾驶飞机躲避云层障碍任务创建人机交互情境，通过 4 个实验探究自动化系统的可解释性、可靠性、自动化程度及任务难度对人类操作者主动控制感的影响及其时间加工进程。
实验 1 考察系统可解释性、自动化程度及任务难度影响主动控制感的认知机制。结果显示，系统可解释性并未显著增强主动控制感，但其与更高的决策信心及系统可接受性有关；自动化程度的影响与预期一致，与自由选择试次相比，被试在强制选择试次中除了体验到更大的控制感外，还表现出更大的决策信心；随着任务难度的增加，主动控制感增强而决策信心下降。这些结果说明了系统自动化的程度及任务难度对控制体验及决策信心的影响。
实验 2a 在系统具有可解释性的前提下，进一步考察系统可靠性、自动化程度及任务难度对主动控制感的影响。结果显示，系统可靠性对主动控制感无显著作用，仅任务难度表现出显著效应。鉴于系统可靠性和任务难度在操作性定义上的关联可能导致变量间存在潜在混淆，实验 2b 采用区组设计以分离二者的影响。实验 2b 的结果进一步证实，系统可靠性并未显著影响主动控制感，但增强了决策信心及系统可接受性；任务难度和自动化程度之间存在显著交互作用：在强制选择条件下，困难难度条件下的控制感显著强于简单难度条件下的，这表明在复杂任务中，操作者投入了更多认知资源以监测系统的决策结果，从而增强了对动 作-结果因果关系的感知，形成更强的控制体验。
为进一步控制系统可解释性可能存在的潜在混淆，实验 3 聚焦于系统不具有可解释性的情境，并结合事件相关电位 (Event-related potential, ERP) 技术，深入考察自动化程度和任务难度影响主动控制感的时间加工进程。结果显示，在系统不具有可解释性的情况下，任务难度仍然会对控制感产生影响，即任务难度的提升增强了控制感，而自动化程度不存在显著影响。这可能是由于更长的动作-结 果时间间隔导致任务难度和自动化程度的效应均有所减弱或消失。此外，ERP 分 析揭示了主动控制感的时间动态特征，在动作计划与执行阶段，自由选择及简单任务难度条件下，早期准备电位 (early Readiness Potential, eRP) 的波幅更小，而 强制选择条件下的偏侧化准备电位 (Lateralized Readiness Potential, LRP) 波幅显著小于自由选择条件下的。在动作结果监测阶段，相较于困难难度条件，简单难度条件下的听觉 N1 成分发生了衰减，但 N1 波幅在自由选择和强制选择条件下并未表现出显著差异；听觉 P2 成分则在该实验中表现出对任务难度和自动化程度的相对不敏感性。这些结果进一步支持了动作意图、动作选择过程复杂性及动作预期与实际结果间的匹配程度等在控制感形成过程中的作用。
综上，本研究通过一系列实验，深入剖析了系统可解释性、系统可靠性、自动化程度及任务难度对操作者主动控制感的复杂影响模式，为理解人机交互中的主动控制感的形成提供了系统性证据，并为设计安全、高效、更人性化且更易被接受的自动化系统提供实践与理论指导。</p
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