3,232 research outputs found
Functional representation of 3D space in endogenous attention shifts
No full textattention shift was across spatial representations than when it was within the same representation. The implications for action-oriented models of attention are discussed. Although almost everyone recognizes that space is a crucial issue in studies of attention, it is interesting to note that real three-dimensional space has seldom been taken explicitly into account, as models of attention usually deal only with a somewhat artificial two-dimensional space. Indeed, only a few studies have addressed the question of whether attention can be deployed along the third dimension (Andersen, 1990; Andersen & Kramer, 1993; Atchley, Kramer, Andersen, & Theeuwes, 1997; Downing & Pinker, 1985; Gawryszewski, Riggio, Rizzolatti, & Umilt, 1987; Ghiradelli & Folk, 1996; Iavecchia & Folk, 1994; Nakayama & Silverman, 1986; Theeuwes, Atchley, & Kramer, 1998). It is worth noting that the choice of Requests for reprints should be sent to Alessandro Couyoumdjian, PhD, Department of Psychology, Universit
Pros and cons of a wandering mind: A prospective study
No full textMind wandering (MW) has recently been associated with both adaptive (e.g., creativity enhancement) and maladaptive (e.g., mood worsening) consequences. This study aimed at investigating whether proneness to MW was prospectively associated with negative health outcomes. At time 0, 21 women, 19 men; mean age = 24.5 (4.9) underwent a 5-min baseline electrocardiogram (ECG), a 20-min laboratory tracking task with thought probes, and personality questionnaires. At time 1 (1 year follow-up), the same participants underwent a 24-h Ecological Momentary Assessment characterized by ambulatory ECG recording and electronic diaries. First, we examined if the likelihood of being a "mind wanderer" was associated with specific personality dispositions. Then, we tested if the occurrence of episodes of MW in the lab would be correlated with frequency of MW in daily life. Finally, multiple regression models were used to test if MW longitudinally acted as a risk factor for health, accounting for the effects of biobehavioral variables. Among dispositional traits, the frequency of MW episodes in daily life was inversely associated with the capacity of being mindful (i.e., aware of the present moment and non-judging). There was a positive correlation between frequency of MW in the lab and in daily life, suggesting that it is a stable disposition of the individual. When differentiated from perseverative cognition (i.e., rumination and worry), MW did not predict the presence of health risk factors 1 year later, however, a higher occurrence of episodes of MW was associated with short-term adverse consequences, such as increased 24-h heart rate (HR) on the same day and difficulty falling asleep the subsequent night. Present findings suggest that MW may be associated with short term "side effects" but argue against a long term dysfunctional view of this cognitive process. © 2013 Ottaviani and Couyoumdjian
Un questionario di personalità per la valutazione dei fattori di rischio in adolescenza: il Questionario Multidimensionale per Adolescenti (QMA)
No full textRIASSUNTO. Introduzione: La ricerca descrive la costruzione e la validazione di un nuovo questionario denominato Questionario Multidimensionale per Adolescenti (QMA; Baiocco, Couyoumdjian e Del Miglio, 2003). Il questionario è costituito da 2 scale di controllo e 11 scale di contenuto: Ricerca di sensazioni, Stabilità emotiva, Impulsività, Aggressività, Alessitimia, Introversione sociale, Gregarismo, Sostegno pratico, Sostegno emotivo, Spinta dei genitori all’autonomia, Capacità metacognitive. Metodi: Lo studio ha valutato l’attendibilità e la validità fattoriale dello strumento in un campione di studenti delle scuole medie superiori (N = 336). La validità convergente è stata indagata verificando le correlazioni con strumenti che valutano variabili di personalità relative all’attaccamento e all’autoefficacia. Risultati: L’analisi della varianza condotta ha permesso di verificare differenze di genere statisticamente significative. L’analisi fattoriale ha rilevato una soluzione a tre fattori coerente con un’interpretazione psicologica. Il QMA ha dimostrato inoltre un’adeguata attendibilità interna ed una buona validità convergente. Conclusioni: Il QMA è stato creato allo scopo principale di poter disporre, nel contesto italiano, di uno strumento che valuti alcune variabili psicologiche rilevanti nella descrizione dei comportamenti a rischio in adolescenza
Flexibility as the key for somatic health: from mind wandering to perseverative cognition
No full text
- …
