1
|
Moersdorf L, Freund AM, Daum MM. What do you focus on? An investigation of goal focus from childhood to old age. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 87:2120-2137. [PMID: 36809386 PMCID: PMC10457216 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-023-01804-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Goals constitute an important construct in developmental psychology. They represent a central way in which individuals shape their development. Here, we present two studies on age-related differences in one important goal dimension, goal focus, that is, the relative salience of the means and ends of goal pursuit. Extant studies on age-related differences in adults suggest a shift from focusing on the ends to focusing on the means across adulthood. The current studies aimed to expand this research to encompass the entire lifespan including childhood. The first cross-sectional study included participants spanning from early childhood into old age (N = 312, age range: 3-83 years) and used a multimethodological approach comprising eye tracking, behavioral, and verbal measures of goal focus. The second study investigated the verbal measures of the first study in more detail in an adult sample (N = 1550, age range: 17-88 years). Overall, the results do not show a clear pattern, making them difficult to interpret. There was little convergence of the measures, pointing to the difficulties in assessing a construct such as goal focus across a large range of age groups differing in social-cognitive and verbal skills.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lea Moersdorf
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14, Box 21, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Alexandra M Freund
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14, Box 21, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
- University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of Healthy Aging", University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- NCCR LIVES, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Moritz M Daum
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14, Box 21, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sacheli LM, Verga C, Zapparoli L, Seghezzi S, Tomasetig G, Banfi G, Paulesu E. When action prediction grows old: An fMRI study. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:373-387. [PMID: 35997233 PMCID: PMC9842895 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the unfolding of others' actions (action prediction) is crucial for successfully navigating the social world and interacting efficiently. Age-related changes in this domain have remained largely unexplored, especially for predictions regarding simple gestures and independent of contextual information or motor expertise. Here, we evaluated whether healthy aging impacts the neurophysiological processes recruited to anticipate, from the observation of implied-motion postures, the correct conclusion of simple grasping and pointing actions. A color-discrimination task served as a control condition to assess the specificity of the age-related effects. Older adults showed reduced efficiency in performance that was yet not specific to the action prediction task. Nevertheless, fMRI results revealed task-specific age-related differences: while both groups showed stronger recruitment of the lateral occipito-temporal cortex bilaterally during the action prediction than the control task, the younger participants additionally showed a higher bilateral engagement of parietal regions. Importantly, in both groups, the recruitment of visuo-motor processes in the right posterior parietal cortex was a predictor of good performance. These results support the hypothesis of decreased involvement of sensorimotor processes in cognitive tasks when processing action- and body-related stimuli in healthy aging. These results have implications for social interaction, which requires the fast reading of others' gestures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Maria Sacheli
- Psychology Department and Milan Center for NeuroscienceUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly
| | - Chiara Verga
- Psychology Department and Milan Center for NeuroscienceUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and PsychologySapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Laura Zapparoli
- Psychology Department and Milan Center for NeuroscienceUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziMilanItaly
| | - Silvia Seghezzi
- Psychology Department and Milan Center for NeuroscienceUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly
| | - Giulia Tomasetig
- Psychology Department and Milan Center for NeuroscienceUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly
| | - Giuseppe Banfi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziMilanItaly,San Raffaele Vita e Salute UniversityMilanItaly
| | - Eraldo Paulesu
- Psychology Department and Milan Center for NeuroscienceUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziMilanItaly
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moersdorf L, Freund AM, Daum MM. Spelling out some unaddressed conceptual and methodological challenges in empirical lifespan research. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2022; 226:103585. [PMID: 35427928 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of taking a lifespan approach to describe and understand human development has long been acknowledged (e.g., Baltes, 1987). Nevertheless, theoretical or empirical research that actually encompasses the entire lifespan, that is, from early childhood to old age, is rare. This is not surprising given the challenges such an approach entails. Many of these challenges (e.g., establishing measurement invariance between age groups) have been addressed in the previous literature, but others have not yet been sufficiently considered. The main purpose of this article is to present several examples of such largely unaddressed conceptual and methodological challenges and reflect upon possible ways to address them. We discuss the usefulness of a lifespan approach and the generalization of the challenges to other research comparing different groups, such as gender, culture, or species.
Collapse
|
4
|
Amico G, Schaefer S. Negative Effects of Embodiment in a Visuo-Spatial Working Memory Task in Children, Young Adults, and Older Adults. Front Psychol 2021; 12:688174. [PMID: 34589020 PMCID: PMC8473613 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.688174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies examining the effect of embodied cognition have shown that linking one's body movements to a cognitive task can enhance performance. The current study investigated whether concurrent walking while encoding or recalling spatial information improves working memory performance, and whether 10-year-old children, young adults, or older adults (M age = 72 years) are affected differently by embodiment. The goal of the Spatial Memory Task was to encode and recall sequences of increasing length by reproducing positions of target fields in the correct order. The nine targets were positioned in a random configuration on a large square carpet (2.5 m × 2.5 m). During encoding and recall, participants either did not move, or they walked into the target fields. In a within-subjects design, all possible combinations of encoding and recall conditions were tested in counterbalanced order. Contrary to our predictions, moving particularly impaired encoding, but also recall. These negative effects were present in all age groups, but older adults' memory was hampered even more strongly by walking during encoding and recall. Our results indicate that embodiment may not help people to memorize spatial information, but can create a dual-task situation instead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Amico
- Department of Sport Sciences, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ganglmayer K, Haupt M, Finke K, Paulus M. Adults, but not preschoolers or toddlers integrate situational constraints in their action anticipations: a developmental study on the flexibility of anticipatory gaze. Cogn Process 2021; 22:515-528. [PMID: 33763791 PMCID: PMC8324589 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-021-01015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent theories stress the role of situational information in understanding others' behaviour. For example, the predictive coding framework assumes that people take contextual information into account when anticipating other's actions. Likewise, the teleological stance theory assumes an early developing ability to consider situational constraints in action prediction. The current study investigates, over a wide age range, whether humans flexibly integrate situational constraints in their action anticipations. By means of an eye-tracking experiment, 2-year-olds, 5-year-olds, younger and older adults (together N = 181) observed an agent repeatedly taking one of two paths to reach a goal. Then, this path became blocked, and for test trials only the other path was passable. Results demonstrated that in test trials younger and older adults anticipated that the agent would take the continuous path, indicating that they took the situational constraints into account. In contrast, 2- and 5-year-olds anticipated that the agent would take the blocked path, indicating that they still relied on the agent's previous observed behaviour and-contrary to claims by the teleological stance theory-did not take the situational constraints into account. The results highlight developmental changes in human's ability to include situational constraints in their visual anticipations. Overall, the study contributes to theories on predictive coding and the development of action understanding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Ganglmayer
- Department Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802, Munich, Germany.
| | - Marleen Haupt
- Department Psychology, General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universtität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department Psychology, General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universtität München, Munich, Germany.,Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Paulus
- Department Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dobler CL, Krüger B, Strahler J, Weyh C, Gebhardt K, Tello K, Ghofrani HA, Sommer N, Gall H, Richter MJ, Krüger K. Physical Activity and Mental Health of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9124023. [PMID: 33322755 PMCID: PMC7763755 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9124023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of personal restrictions on physical activity, mental health, stress experience, resilience, and sleep quality in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) during the “lockdown” period of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 112 PH patients and 52 age-matched healthy control subjects completed a questionnaire on the topics of physical activity, mental health, resilience, and sleep quality. PH patients had significantly lower physical activity, mental health, and sleep quality compared to age-matched healthy controls. Physical activity positively correlated with mental health and sleep quality in the PH group. Mental wellbeing and life satisfaction could be predicted by total physical activity, sleep, stress level, and resilience. PH patients appeared as an especially vulnerable group, demanding interventions to promote an active lifestyle and protect mental health in these patients. This could be helpful in counseling on how to carry out physical activity while maintaining infection control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Leoni Dobler
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sports Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (C.L.D.); (C.W.); (K.G.)
| | - Britta Krüger
- Nemolab, Institute of Sports Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Jana Strahler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, University of Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany;
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christopher Weyh
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sports Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (C.L.D.); (C.W.); (K.G.)
| | - Kristina Gebhardt
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sports Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (C.L.D.); (C.W.); (K.G.)
| | - Khodr Tello
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Justus-Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (K.T.); (H.A.G.); (N.S.); (H.G.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Hossein Ardeschir Ghofrani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Justus-Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (K.T.); (H.A.G.); (N.S.); (H.G.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Natascha Sommer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Justus-Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (K.T.); (H.A.G.); (N.S.); (H.G.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Henning Gall
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Justus-Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (K.T.); (H.A.G.); (N.S.); (H.G.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Manuel Jonas Richter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Justus-Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (K.T.); (H.A.G.); (N.S.); (H.G.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Karsten Krüger
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sports Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35394 Giessen, Germany; (C.L.D.); (C.W.); (K.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-992-52210
| |
Collapse
|