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Ben Adiva Y, Genzer S, Perry A. Beyond physical sensations: investigating empathy and prosocial behavior in vicarious pain responders. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae039. [PMID: 38910333 PMCID: PMC11220461 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Empathy, the capacity to share others' emotional experiences, has been proposed as a key motivation for altruistic behavior in both humans and animals. Sharing another's emotional experience may generate a self-embodied simulation of their emotional state, fostering understanding and promoting prosocial behavior. Vicarious pain responders report sensing physical pain when observing others in pain. Whether this ability extends to emotional experiences remains unexplored. Using both questionnaires and ecologically valid behavioral tasks, we explored whether vicarious pain responders differ from nonresponders in empathic abilities and prosocial behavior. Participants watched video clips of people describing a negative emotional life event. We operationalized several empathic abilities and responses (empathic accuracy, affective synchrony, emotional reaction, and empathic motivation) based on participants' and targets' responses during and after watching the videos. Participants were also engaged in a donation task measuring tendency for prosocial behavior. Findings reveal that compared to nonresponders, vicarious pain responders exhibit enhanced empathic accuracy, intensified emotional reactions to others' emotional pain, and a greater motivation to communicate with the target. This study marks the first behavioral evidence showcasing vicarious pain responders' empathic abilities, reactions, and motivation in response to nonphysical pain of others, expanding our knowledge of this phenomenon and its association with broader empathic abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoad Ben Adiva
- Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Shir Genzer
- Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Anat Perry
- Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
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2
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Gray IE, Enticott PG, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Kirkovski M. Cognitive and emotional empathy in acute and remitted anorexia nervosa: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1385185. [PMID: 38855647 PMCID: PMC11157095 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1385185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Impairments in empathy are well established in anorexia nervosa (AN). It is unclear, however, whether these deficits only occur in the acute phases of AN due to neurocognitive impacts of starvation (often referred to as context-dependent, or state-like), or if deficits remain once remission has been achieved (trait-like). This debate is commonly referred to as the 'state vs trait' debate. Objective This systematic review aims to summarise existing literature regarding empathy in AN, and to investigate whether empathy deficits in AN are state- or trait-based. Method A total of 1014 articles were identified, and seven articles remained after the screening process. These seven articles, comparing empathy across three groups (acute AN, remission of AN, and non-clinical controls), were evaluated and summarised in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Articles were required to have included all three groups and report on either cognitive empathy and/or emotional empathy. Results The majority of studies were of satisfactory quality. The results identified were inconsistent, with few articles lending some support to the 'state' hypothesis and others producing nonsignificant results. Conclusions There is minimal literature comparing empathy in acute and remission phases of AN. While there were some inconsistencies in included articles, some data indicate that there may be slight improvements to emotional and cognitive empathy following recovery of AN. Further research is needed to better enrich knowledge regarding the role of state vs trait with regard to neurocognitive difficulties experienced by individuals with AN. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=335669, identifier CRD42022335669.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indigo E. Gray
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Melissa Kirkovski
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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3
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Karimova ED, Ovakimian AS, Katermin NS. Live vs video interaction: sensorimotor and visual cortical oscillations during action observation. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae168. [PMID: 38679481 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasingly, in the field of communication, education, and business, people are switching to video interaction, and interlocutors frequently complain that the perception of nonverbal information and concentration suffer. We investigated this issue by analyzing electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations of the sensorimotor (mu rhythm) and visual (alpha rhythm) cortex of the brain in an experiment with action observation live and on video. The mu rhythm reflects the activity of the mirror neuron system, and the occipital alpha rhythm shows the level of visual attention. We used 32-channel EEG recorded during live and video action observation in 83 healthy volunteers. The ICA method was used for selecting the mu- and alpha-components; the Fourier Transform was used to calculate the suppression index relative to the baseline (stationary demonstrator) of the rhythms. The main range of the mu rhythm was indeed sensitive to social movement and was highly dependent on the conditions of interaction-live or video. The upper mu-range appeared to be less sensitive to the conditions, but more sensitive to different movements. The alpha rhythm did not depend on the type of movement; however, a live performance initially caused a stronger concentration of visual attention. Thus, subtle social and nonverbal perceptions may suffer in remote video interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina D Karimova
- Laboratory of Applied Physiology of Human Higher Nervous Activity, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS (IHNA&NPh RAS), 5A Butlerova street, 117485 Moscow, the Russian Federation
| | - Alena S Ovakimian
- Laboratory of Applied Physiology of Human Higher Nervous Activity, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS (IHNA&NPh RAS), 5A Butlerova street, 117485 Moscow, the Russian Federation
| | - Nikita S Katermin
- Flow cytometry data processing group, BostonGene Technologies, Hrachya Qochar Str., 2A, 0033, Yerevan, Armenia
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4
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Moffat R, Cross ES. Evaluations of dyadic synchrony: observers' traits influence estimation and enjoyment of synchrony in mirror-game movements. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2904. [PMID: 38316911 PMCID: PMC10844651 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53191-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
While evidence abounds that motor synchrony is a powerful form of 'social glue' for those involved, we have yet to understand how observers perceive motor synchrony: can observers estimate the degree of synchrony accurately? Is synchrony aesthetically pleasing? In two preregistered experiments (n = 161 each), we assess how accurately observers can estimate the degree of synchrony in dyads playing the mirror game, and how much observers enjoy watching these movements. We further assess whether accuracy and enjoyment are influenced by individual differences in self-reported embodied expertise (ability to reproduce movements, body awareness, body competence), psychosocial resources (extraversion, self-esteem), or social competencies (empathy, autistic traits), while objectively controlling for the degree of measured synchrony and complexity. The data revealed that observers' estimated synchrony with poor accuracy, showing a tendency to underestimate the level of synchrony. Accuracy for low synchrony improved with increasing body competence, while accuracy for high synchrony improved with increasing autistic traits. Observers' enjoyment of dyadic movements correlated positively with the degree of measured synchrony, the predictability of the movements, and the observer's empathy. Furthermore, very low enjoyment was associated with increased body perception. Our findings indicate that accuracy in perceiving synchrony is closely linked to embodiment, while aesthetic evaluations of action hinge on individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryssa Moffat
- Professorship for Social Brain Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Emily S Cross
- Professorship for Social Brain Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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5
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Wang J, Yang J, Yang Z, Gao W, Zhang H, Ji K, Klugah-Brown B, Yuan J, Biswal BB. Boosting interpersonal emotion regulation through facial imitation: functional neuroimaging foundations. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad402. [PMID: 37943770 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Empathic function, which is primarily manifested by facial imitation, is believed to play a pivotal role in interpersonal emotion regulation for mood reinstatement. To explore this association and its neural substrates, we performed a questionnaire survey (study l) to identify the relationship between empathy and interpersonal emotion regulation; and a task-mode fMRI study (study 2) to explore how facial imitation, as a fundamental component of empathic processes, promotes the interpersonal emotion regulation effect. Study 1 showed that affective empathy was positively correlated with interpersonal emotion regulation. Study 2 showed smaller negative emotions in facial imitation interpersonal emotion regulation (subjects imitated experimenter's smile while followed the interpersonal emotion regulation guidance) than in normal interpersonal emotion regulation (subjects followed the interpersonal emotion regulation guidance) and Watch conditions. Mirror neural system (e.g. inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobe) and empathy network exhibited greater activations in facial imitation interpersonal emotion regulation compared with normal interpersonal emotion regulation condition. Moreover, facial imitation interpersonal emotion regulation compared with normal interpersonal emotion regulation exhibited increased functional coupling from mirror neural system to empathic and affective networks during interpersonal emotion regulation. Furthermore, the connectivity of the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus-rolandic operculum lobe mediated the association between the accuracy of facial imitation and the interpersonal emotion regulation effect. These results show that the interpersonal emotion regulation effect can be enhanced by the target's facial imitation through increased functional coupling from mirror neural system to empathic and affective neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazheng Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiemin Yang
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Psychology and Behavior of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhenzhen Yang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Psychology and Behavior of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - HeMing Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Katherine Ji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, United States
| | - Benjamin Klugah-Brown
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - JiaJin Yuan
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Psychology and Behavior of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Bharat B Biswal
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, United States
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6
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Kalénine S, Decroix J. The pain hidden in your hands: Facial expression of pain reduces the influence of goal-related information in action recognition. Neuropsychologia 2023; 189:108658. [PMID: 37574186 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108658] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of the sensorimotor system in the perception of painful actions has been repeatedly demonstrated. Yet the cognitive processes corresponding to sensorimotor activations have not been identified. In particular, the respective role of higher-level and lower-level action representations such as goals and grips in the recognition of painful actions is not clear. Previous research has shown that in a neutral context, higher-level action representations (goals) are prioritized over lower-level action representations (grips) and guide action recognition. The present study evaluates to what extent the general priority given to goal-related information in the processing of visual actions can be modulated by a context of pain. We used the action violation paradigm developed by van Elk et al. (2008). In the present action tasks, participants had to judge whether the grip or the goal of object-directed actions displayed in photographs was correct or not. The actress in the photograph could show either a neutral facial expression or a facial expression of pain. In the control task, they had to judge whether the actress expressed pain. In the action tasks, goals influenced grip judgements more than grips influenced goal judgements overall, corroborating the priority given to goal-related information previously reported. Critically, the impact of irrelevant goal-related information on the identification of incorrect grips disappeared in the pain context. Moreover, judgements in the control task were similarly influenced by grip and goal-related information. Results suggest that a context of pain reduces the reliance on higher-level action for action judgments. Findings provide novel directions regarding the cognitive and brain mechanisms involved in action processing in painful situations and support pluralist views of action understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène Kalénine
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Jérémy Decroix
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000, Lille, France
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7
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Kitano M, Shoji K, Nakaita I, Sano S, Tachibana S, Shigemura J, Tachimori H, Noguchi N, Waki F, Edo N, Koga M, Toda H, Yoshino A, Nagamine M. Japanese public health nurses classified based on empathy and secondary traumatic stress: variable-centered and person-centered approaches. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:710. [PMID: 37784052 PMCID: PMC10544614 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05198-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare providers frequently help traumatized people and are regularly exposed to indirect trauma from their work, resulting in negative psychological responses, such as secondary traumatic stress. Empathy has been associated with patient's quality of care and secondary traumatic stress among healthcare providers. However, the relationship between dispositional empathy and secondary traumatic stress has not been fully elucidated. This study used person- and variable-centered approaches to explore the nature of this relationship. METHODS A total of 1,006 Japanese public health nurses working in the Tohoku region and Saitama prefecture completed questionnaires that included scales assessing dispositional empathy, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. First, we examined predictors of secondary traumatic stress using multiple linear regression analysis. Then, we conducted a latent profile analysis to classify participants into unique groups based on four subscales of dispositional empathy (i.e., empathic concern, perspective taking, personal distress, fantasy) and secondary traumatic stress. Finally, we compared the mean values of the study variables across these groups. RESULTS The multiple regression indicated that in those working in Saitama prefecture, lifetime traumatic experiences, work-related distress, and personal distress were positively related to secondary traumatic stress, but perceived support was negatively related to secondary traumatic stress. Latent profile analysis extracted four unique subgroups. Group 1 displayed the highest secondary traumatic stress levels. Group 2 was characterized by the highest level of empathic concern, personal distress, and fantasy and the lowest perspective taking. Group 3 had a moderate secondary traumatic stress level. Group 4 had the lowest secondary traumatic stress and personal distress scores. In these four groups, the burnout scale (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy) showed a pattern similar to the secondary traumatic stress scale. CONCLUSIONS Our person-centered approach showed that this sample of public health nurses could be classified into four unique groups based on their empathy and secondary traumatic stress scores. Although this group of public health nurses was not large, one group displayed high personal distress levels and high secondary traumatic stress levels. Further research is needed to determine effective interventions for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Kitano
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa City, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Kotaro Shoji
- University of Human Environments, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ikumi Nakaita
- Faculty of Nursing, Musashino University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinya Sano
- Department of Psychology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shoichi Tachibana
- Division of Environmental Medicine, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Jun Shigemura
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hisateru Tachimori
- Endowed Course for Health System Innovation, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihito Noguchi
- Department of Nursing, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Fumiko Waki
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa City, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Naoki Edo
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa City, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Minori Koga
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Toda
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Aihide Yoshino
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masanori Nagamine
- Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa City, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
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8
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Sato W, Nakazawa A, Yoshikawa S, Kochiyama T, Honda M, Gineste Y. Behavioral and neural underpinnings of empathic characteristics in a Humanitude-care expert. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1059203. [PMID: 37305136 PMCID: PMC10248535 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1059203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Humanitude approaches have shown positive effects in elderly care. However, the behavioral and neural underpinnings of empathic characteristics in Humanitude-care experts remain unknown. Methods We investigated the empathic characteristics of a Humanitude-care expert (YG) and those of age-, sex-, and race-matched controls (n = 13). In a behavioral study, we measured subjective valence and arousal ratings and facial electromyography (EMG) of the corrugator supercilii and zygomatic major muscles while participants passively observed dynamic facial expressions associated with anger and happiness and their randomized mosaic patterns. In a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, we measured brain activity while participants passively observed the same dynamic facial expressions and mosaics. In a structural MRI study, we acquired structural MRI data and analyzed gray matter volume. Results Our behavioral data showed that YG experienced higher subjective arousal and showed stronger facial EMG activity congruent with stimulus facial expressions compared with controls. The functional MRI data demonstrated that YG showed stronger activity in the ventral premotor cortex (PMv; covering the precentral gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus) and posterior middle temporal gyrus in the right hemisphere in response to dynamic facial expressions versus dynamic mosaics compared with controls. The structural MRI data revealed higher regional gray matter volume in the right PMv in YG than in controls. Conclusion These results suggest that Humanitude-care experts have behavioral and neural characteristics associated with empathic social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Sato
- Psychological Process Research Team, Guardian Robot Project, RIKEN, Soraku-gun, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakazawa
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | | | | | - Miwako Honda
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yves Gineste
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
- IGM-France, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque, France
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9
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Qin X, Huang H, Liu Y, Zheng F, Zhou Y, Wang H. Increased Functional Connectivity Involving the Parahippocampal Gyrus in Patients with Schizophrenia during Theory of Mind Processing: A Psychophysiological Interaction Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040692. [PMID: 37190657 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theory of Mind (ToM) is an ability to infer the mental state of others, which plays an important role during social events. Previous studies have shown that ToM deficits exist frequently in schizophrenia, which may result from abnormal activity in brain regions related to sociality. However, the interactions between brain regions during ToM processing in schizophrenia are still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated functional connectivity during ToM processing in patients with schizophrenia, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS A total of 36 patients with schizophrenia and 33 healthy controls were recruited to complete a ToM task from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) during fMRI scanning. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis was applied to explore functional connectivity. RESULTS Patients with schizophrenia were less accurate than healthy controls in judging social stimuli from non-social stimuli (Z = 2.31, p = 0.021), and displayed increased activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus and increased functional connectivity between the bilateral middle temporal gyrus and the ipsilateral parahippocampal gyrus during ToM processing (AlphaSim corrected p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Here, we showed that the brain regions related to sociality interact more with the parahippocampal gyrus in patients with schizophrenia during ToM processing, which may reflect a possible compensatory pathway of ToM deficits in schizophrenia. Our study provides a new idea for ToM deficits in schizophrenia, which could be helpful to better understand social cognition of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xucong Qin
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Huan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Fanfan Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430060, China
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10
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Nembhard IM, David G, Ezzeddine I, Betts D, Radin J. A systematic review of research on empathy in health care. Health Serv Res 2023; 58:250-263. [PMID: 35765156 PMCID: PMC10012244 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the predictors and outcomes of empathy by health care personnel, methods used to study their empathy, and the effectiveness of interventions targeting their empathy, in order to advance understanding of the role of empathy in health care and facilitate additional research aimed at increasing positive patient care experiences and outcomes. DATA SOURCE We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, PsycInfo, and Business Source Complete to identify empirical studies of empathy involving health care personnel in English-language publications up until April 20, 2021, covering the first five decades of research on empathy in health care (1971-2021). STUDY DESIGN We performed a systematic review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Title and abstract screening for study eligibility was followed by full-text screening of relevant citations to extract study information (e.g., study design, sample size, empathy measure used, empathy assessor, intervention type if applicable, other variables evaluated, results, and significance). We classified study predictors and outcomes into categories, calculated descriptive statistics, and produced tables to summarize findings. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Of the 2270 articles screened, 455 reporting on 470 analyses satisfied the inclusion criteria. We found that most studies have been survey-based, cross-sectional examinations; greater empathy is associated with better clinical outcomes and patient care experiences; and empathy predictors are many and fall into five categories (provider demographics, provider characteristics, provider behavior during interactions, target characteristics, and organizational context). Of the 128 intervention studies, 103 (80%) found a positive and significant effect. With four exceptions, interventions were educational programs focused on individual clinicians or trainees. No organizational-level interventions (e.g., empathy-specific processes or roles) were identified. CONCLUSIONS Empirical research provides evidence of the importance of empathy to health care outcomes and identifies multiple changeable predictors of empathy. Training can improve individuals' empathy; organizational-level interventions for systematic improvement are lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid M. Nembhard
- Health Care Management DepartmentThe Wharton School, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health EconomicsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Guy David
- Health Care Management DepartmentThe Wharton School, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health EconomicsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Iman Ezzeddine
- Health Care Management DepartmentThe Wharton School, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - David Betts
- Life Sciences and Health Care PracticeDeloitte Consulting, LLPNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jennifer Radin
- Life Sciences and Health Care PracticeDeloitte Consulting, LLPNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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11
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Fonagy P, Campbell C, Luyten P. Attachment, Mentalizing and Trauma: Then (1992) and Now (2022). Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030459. [PMID: 36979268 PMCID: PMC10046260 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the current status of research on the relationship between attachment and trauma in developmental psychopathology. Beginning with a review of the major issues and the state-of-the-art in relation to current thinking in the field of attachment about the impact of trauma and the inter-generational transmission of trauma, the review then considers recent neurobiological work on mentalizing and trauma and suggests areas of new development and implications for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fonagy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Chloe Campbell
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Patrick Luyten
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Fittipaldi S, Armony JL, García AM, Migeot J, Cadaveira M, Ibáñez A, Baez S. Emotional descriptions increase accidental harm punishment and its cortico-limbic signatures during moral judgment in autism. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1745. [PMID: 36720905 PMCID: PMC9889714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27709-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present difficulties in integrating mental state information in complex moral tasks. Yet, ASD research has not examined whether this process is influenced by emotions, let alone while capturing its neural bases. We investigated how language-induced emotions modulate intent-based moral judgment in ASD. In a fMRI task, 30 adults with ASD and 27 neurotypical controls read vignettes whose protagonists commit harm either accidentally or intentionally, and then decided how much punishment the protagonist deserved. Emotional content was manipulated across scenarios through the use of graphic language (designed to trigger arousing negative responses) vs. plain (just-the-facts, emotionless) language. Off-line functional connectivity correlates of task performance were also analyzed. In ASD, emotional (graphic) descriptions amplified punishment ratings of accidental harms, associated with increased activity in fronto-temporo-limbic, precentral, and postcentral/supramarginal regions (critical for emotional and empathic processes), and reduced connectivity among the orbitofrontal cortex and the angular gyrus (involved in mentalizing). Language manipulation did not influence intentional harm processing in ASD. In conclusion, in arousing and ambiguous social situations that lack intentionality clues (i.e. graphic accidental harm scenarios), individuals with ASD would misuse their emotional responses as the main source of information to guide their moral decisions. Conversely, in face of explicit harmful intentions, they would be able to compensate their socioemotional alterations and assign punishment through non-emotional pathways. Despite limitations, such as the small sample size and low ecological validity of the task, results of the present study proved reliable and have relevant theoretical and translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Fittipaldi
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin, Ireland
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge L Armony
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute and Dept. of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Adolfo M García
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Lingüística y Literatura, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joaquín Migeot
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology (CSCN), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | | | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin, Ireland
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Barrera A, de La Motte de Broöns de Vauvert SJGN. Empathy and the work of clinical psychiatrists: narrative review. BJPSYCH ADVANCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1192/bja.2022.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Clinical research suggests that empathy is associated with better clinical outcomes in various areas of medical care, raising the question of whether a similar effect occurs in psychiatry. The aim of this review is to explore philosophical, neuroscientific and psychological perspectives on the concept of empathy in the context of the day-to-day work of clinical psychiatrists. The definition of empathy is outlined and sociodemographic factors, working conditions and psychiatrists’ beliefs that can potentially affect empathy in clinical encounters are explored; educational and training aspects are also reviewed. The review concludes suggesting that research on empathy is needed to understand contextual, training and relational factors that could benefit mental healthcare as well as the working conditions of clinical psychiatrists, both inextricably linked.
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14
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Jääskeläinen IP, Kosonogov V. Perspective taking in the human brain: complementary evidence from neuroimaging studies with media-based naturalistic stimuli and artificial controlled paradigms. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1051934. [PMID: 36875238 PMCID: PMC9975546 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1051934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Perception and interpretation of various types of events and information in life crucially depend on one's perspective. A specific perspective can be explicitly adopted, for example, via instructing an experimental subject, implicitly via a priori information given to subjects, and by subjects' personality traits or cultural background. The neural basis of perspective taking has been addressed in a number of recent neuroimaging studies, some of which have used movies and narratives as media-based stimuli to pursue a holistic understanding of the phenomenon under ecologically valid conditions. Results across these studies suggest that the human brain flexibly adapts to support the information-processing needs of different perspectives, however, also that inferior temporal-occipital areas and posterior-medial parietal areas are engaged across different perspectives. These findings are complemented by studies that have investigated specific aspects of perspective taking with highly controlled experimental designs. They have disclosed involvement of the temporoparietal junction in visual perspective taking and the importance of the affective component of the pain matrix when empathizing with others' pain. Identification with the protagonists also seems to matter, as dorsomedial vs. ventromedial prefrontal areas are recruited when the protagonist is dissimilar vs. similar to self. Finally, as a translational aspect, perspective taking can, under certain conditions, serve as an effective emotion regulation technique, wherein lateral and medial regions of the prefrontal cortex seem to support reappraisal processes. Together, findings from studies with media-based stimuli and more traditional paradigms complement each other to gain a comprehensive understanding of the neural basis of perspective taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iiro P Jääskeläinen
- Brain and Mind Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Vladimir Kosonogov
- International Laboratory of Social Neurobiology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
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15
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Nicolaou T, Elliott R, Robinson A. Extending empathy to physical symptoms. PERSON-CENTERED & EXPERIENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14779757.2022.2159503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thalia Nicolaou
- Counselling Unit, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert Elliott
- Counselling Unit, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Robinson
- School of Education, University of Strathclyde Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Glasgow, UK
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16
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Karimova ED, Gulyaeva AS, Katermin NS. The degree of mu rhythm suppression in women is associated with presence of children as well as empathy and anxiety level. Soc Neurosci 2022; 17:382-396. [PMID: 35950700 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2022.2112753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
In experiments on observing and performing social gestures, the level of mu rhythm suppression is associated with the activity of the mirror neuron system (MNS), which is responsible for the perception and understanding of nonverbal signals in social communication. In turn, while MNS activity may be associated primarily with empathy, it is also associated with other psychological and demographic factors affecting the effectiveness of cortical neural networks.In this study, we verified the influence of empathy, state and trait anxiety levels, presence and number of children, age, and menstrual cycle phase on the mu-suppression level in 40 women. We used 32-channel EEG recorded during observation, and synchronous execution of various hand movements. The ICA infomax method was used for decomposing and selecting the left hemisphere component of the mu-rhythm.Mu-suppression was higher in women with one child, with higher levels of empathy, and with lower anxiety levels. It is possible that MNS activity is stronger in women during parental care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina D Karimova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS (IHNA&NPh RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Alena S Gulyaeva
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS (IHNA&NPh RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikita S Katermin
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS (IHNA&NPh RAS), Moscow, Russia
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17
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Cotter P, Holden A, Johnson C, Noakes S, Urch C, King A. Coping With the Emotional Impact of Working in Cancer Care: The Importance of Team Working and Collective Processing. Front Psychol 2022; 13:877938. [PMID: 35911049 PMCID: PMC9336679 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.877938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hospitals provide the vast majority of cancer care. A necessary focus on survival has meant that they are less well-developed in terms of supporting patients with the emotional impact of cancer; and in supporting the frontline staff who contend with this. An integration of psychotherapeutic and neurobiological findings is used to develop an understanding of the patient-staff relationship and impact of high levels of distress within it. This includes reference to Transference and Countertransference, Mirror Neurons and Poly Vagal Theory. This paper considers how patients can unconsciously "transfer" emotional distress on to healthcare practitioners; and how this evokes an emotional response from the practitioner via the mirror neuron system (MNS). This can allow the practitioner to "feel into" the patient's experience and develop a more nuanced understanding. However, it may also activate emotions connected to the practitioner's life and can leave them feeling overwhelmed. The practitioner's capacity to regulate their own emotional arousal, via the vagus nerve, has a significant impact on their ability to support the patient and themselves within emotionally distressing interactions. This dynamic often unfolds without either party having significant awareness of it. A Systemic and Process-Oriented perspective is taken to understand this within the broader context of a hospital-based structure; and consider how practitioners on frontline teams may or may not support each other in working collectively with high levels of distress. A team's level of understanding and attunement to emotional experiences as well their primary relational and communication style has significant bearing on capacity for emotion-and-relationship focused coping. A failure to work with the emotional and relational interconnection between patients and staff can contribute to isolated patients, disconnected staff, conflict within teams and an overarching system lacking in compassion. However, due to the often unconscious nature of such processes and limited understanding or training on them, they are regularly left unaddressed. Over time, this can have an accumulated effect on everyone. Group-based collective processing is considered in terms of how it can be used in supporting practitioners to integrate an emotional and relational way of working with a problem-focused approach and integrated into regular daily working.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pádraig Cotter
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Clarence Wing, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Research Society of Process Oriented Psychology United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anneka Holden
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Clarence Wing, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Johnson
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Clarence Wing, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Noakes
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Clarence Wing, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Urch
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular and Cancer, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex King
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Clarence Wing, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom
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18
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McCrackin SD, Provencher S, Mendell E, Ristic J. Transparent masks reduce the negative impact of opaque masks on understanding emotional states but not on sharing them. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2022; 7:59. [PMID: 35796906 PMCID: PMC9261140 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-022-00411-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
While face masks provide necessary protection against disease spread, they occlude the lower face parts (chin, mouth, nose) and consequently impair the ability to accurately perceive facial emotions. Here we examined how wearing face masks impacted making inferences about emotional states of others (i.e., affective theory of mind; Experiment 1) and sharing of emotions with others (i.e., affective empathy; Experiment 2). We also investigated whether wearing transparent masks ameliorated the occlusion impact of opaque masks. Participants viewed emotional faces presented within matching positive (happy), negative (sad), or neutral contexts. The faces wore opaque masks, transparent masks, or no masks. In Experiment 1, participants rated the protagonists’ emotional valence and intensity. In Experiment 2, they indicated their empathy for the protagonist and the valence of their emotion. Wearing opaque masks impacted both affective theory of mind and affective empathy ratings. Compared to no masks, wearing opaque masks resulted in assumptions that the protagonist was feeling less intense and more neutral emotions. Wearing opaque masks also reduced positive empathy for the protagonist and resulted in more neutral shared valence ratings. Wearing transparent masks restored the affective theory of mind ratings but did not restore empathy ratings. Thus, wearing face masks impairs nonverbal social communication, with transparent masks able to restore some of the negative effects brought about by opaque masks. Implications for the theoretical understanding of socioemotional processing as well as for educational and professional settings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D McCrackin
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada.
| | - Sabrina Provencher
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Ethan Mendell
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Jelena Ristic
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada.
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19
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Ultimate Grounding of Abstract Concepts: A Graded Account. J Cogn 2022; 5:21. [PMID: 36072124 PMCID: PMC9400652 DOI: 10.5334/joc.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstraction, one of the hallmarks of human cognition, continues to be the topic of a strong debate. The primary disagreement concerns whether or not abstract concepts can be accounted for within the scope of embodied cognition. In this paper, we introduce the embodied approach to conceptual knowledge and distinguish between embodiment and grounding, where grounding is the general term for how concepts initially acquire their meaning. Referring to numerous pieces of empirical evidence, we emphasise that, ultimately, all concepts are acquired via interaction with the world via two main pathways: embodiment and social interaction. The first pathway is direct and primarily involves action/perception, interoception and emotions. The second pathway is indirect, being mediated by language in particular. Evidence from neuroscience, psychology and cognitive linguistics shows these pathways have different properties, roles in cognition and temporal profiles. Human development also places revealing constraints on how children develop the ability to reason more abstractly as they grow up. We recognize language as a crucial cognitive faculty with several roles enabling the acquisition of abstract concepts indirectly. Three detailed case studies on body-specificity hypothesis, abstract verbs and mathematics are used to argue that a compelling case has accumulated in favour of the ultimate grounding of abstract concepts in an agent’s interaction with its world, primarily relying on the direct pathway. We consolidate the debate through multidisciplinary evidence for the idea that abstractness is a graded, rather than a binary property of concepts.
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20
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Sadeghi S, Schmidt SNL, Mier D, Hass J. Effective Connectivity of the Human Mirror Neuron System During Social Cognition. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2022; 17:732-743. [PMID: 35086135 PMCID: PMC9340111 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human mirror neuron system (MNS) can be considered the neural basis of social cognition. Identifying the global network structure of this system can provide significant progress in the field. In this study, we use dynamic causal modeling (DCM) to determine the effective connectivity between central regions of the MNS for the first time during different social cognition tasks. Sixty-seven healthy participants completed fMRI scanning while performing social cognition tasks, including imitation, empathy and theory of mind. Superior temporal sulcus (STS), inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and Brodmann area 44 (BA44) formed the regions of interest for DCM. Varying connectivity patterns, 540 models were built and fitted for each participant. By applying group-level analysis, Bayesian model selection and Bayesian model averaging, the optimal family and model for all experimental tasks were found. For all social-cognitive processes, effective connectivity from STS to IPL and from STS to BA44 was found. For imitation, additional mutual connections occurred between STS and BA44, as well as BA44 and IPL. The results suggest inverse models in which the motor regions BA44 and IPL receive sensory information from the STS. In contrast, for imitation, a sensory loop with an exchange of motor-to-sensory and sensory-to-motor information seems to exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadjad Sadeghi
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim 68159, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | | | | | - Joachim Hass
- Correspondence should be addressed to Joachim Hass, Faculty of Applied Psychology, SRH University of Applied Sciences, Maria-Probst-Strasse 3A, Heidelberg 69123, Germany. E-mail:
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21
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Webb J, Keane S. MDMA for the treatment of misophonia, a proposal. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:983285. [PMID: 36440420 PMCID: PMC9685534 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.983285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Misophonia is a disorder characterized by negative physical and emotional reactions to certain trigger sounds, such as chewing food. Up to 50% of population samples endorse some symptoms of misophonia, with about 20% having symptoms that impair normal life functioning. Most misophonia patients exhibit intense negative emotions and autonomic arousal (the fight-flight-freeze response) in response to a trigger, similarly to how someone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might respond to a trauma trigger. Curiously, misophonia trigger sounds are often most distressing when coming from a specific person, suggesting the disorder may be responsive to interpersonal relationship factors. Treatment of misophonia is currently limited to the use of hearing modifications (e.g., earplugs or headphones) and psychotherapy, but many patients continue to suffer despite these best efforts. Phase 3 clinical trials suggest that MDMA is efficacious at treating the symptoms of autonomic arousal, negative emotions, and interpersonal suffering found in PTSD. As such, we propose that MDMA may represent an ideal treatment for some suffering from severe misophonia. In this perspective article, we review the symptoms of misophonia, and outline how MDMA may be uniquely suited for treating it, perhaps using a protocol analogous to the MAPS Phase 3 studies for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadon Webb
- Bloom Mental Health LLC, Littleton, CO, United States
| | - Shannon Keane
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, United States
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22
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Differential beta desynchronisation responses to dynamic emotional facial expressions are attenuated in higher trait anxiety and autism. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 22:1404-1420. [PMID: 35761029 PMCID: PMC9622532 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-01015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Daily life demands that we differentiate between a multitude of emotional facial expressions (EFEs). The mirror neuron system (MNS) is becoming increasingly implicated as a neural network involved with understanding emotional body expressions. However, the specificity of the MNS's involvement in emotion recognition has remained largely unexplored. This study investigated whether six basic dynamic EFEs (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise) would be differentiated through event-related desynchronisation (ERD) of sensorimotor alpha and beta oscillatory activity, which indexes sensorimotor MNS activity. We found that beta ERD differentiated happy, fearful, and sad dynamic EFEs at the central region of interest, but not at occipital regions. Happy EFEs elicited significantly greater central beta ERD relative to fearful and sad EFEs within 800 - 2,000 ms after EFE onset. These differences were source-localised to the primary somatosensory cortex, which suggests they are likely to reflect differential sensorimotor simulation rather than differential attentional engagement. Furthermore, individuals with higher trait anxiety showed less beta ERD differentiation between happy and sad faces. Similarly, individuals with higher trait autism showed less beta ERD differentiation between happy and fearful faces. These findings suggest that the differential simulation of specific affective states is attenuated in individuals with higher trait anxiety and autism. In summary, the MNS appears to support the skills needed for emotion processing in daily life, which may be influenced by certain individual differences. This provides novel evidence for the notion that simulation-based emotional skills may underlie the emotional difficulties that accompany affective disorders, such as anxiety.
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23
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Paz LV, Viola TW, Milanesi BB, Sulzbach JH, Mestriner RG, Wieck A, Xavier LL. Contagious Depression: Automatic Mimicry and the Mirror Neuron System - A Review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 134:104509. [PMID: 34968526 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Contagious depression is a theory proposing that depression can be induced or triggered by our social environment. This theory is based on emotional contagion, the idea that affective states can be transferred during social interaction, since humans can use emotional contagion to communicate feelings and emotions in conscious and unconscious ways. This review presents behavioral, physiological, and neuroanatomical aspects of two essential contagious depression mechanisms, automatic mimicry and the mirror neuron system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisiê Valéria Paz
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Wendt Viola
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, Avenida Ipiranga 6681, prédio 11, sala 926, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Bueno Milanesi
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Henz Sulzbach
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Régis Gemerasca Mestriner
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Andrea Wieck
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Léder Leal Xavier
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 90619-900, Brazil.
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24
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Decety J, Holvoet C. The emergence of empathy: A developmental neuroscience perspective. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2021.100999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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25
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Bekkali S, Youssef GJ, Donaldson PH, Hyde C, Do M, He JL, Barhoun P, Enticott PG. Is there a relationship between EEG and sTMS neurophysiological markers of the putative human mirror neuron system? J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:3238-3249. [PMID: 34747052 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The mirror neuron system (MNS) has been theorized to play a neurobiological role in a number of social cognitive abilities and is commonly indexed putatively in humans via interpersonal motor resonance (IMR) and mu suppression. Although both indices are thought to measure similar neuronal populations (i.e., "mirror neurons"), it has been suggested that these methods are unrelated, and therefore, incompatible. However, prior studies reporting no relationships were typically conducted in small and underpowered samples. Thus, we aimed to investigate this potential association in a large sample of neurotypical adults (N = 116; 72 females). Participants underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography (EEG) during the observation of videos of actors performing grasping actions in order to index IMR and mu suppression (in beta, lower alpha, and upper alpha bandwidths). A series of linear regressions revealed no associations between IMR and each of the mu suppression bandwidths. Supplementary Bayesian analyses provided further evidence in favor of the null (B01 = 8.85-8.93), providing further support for no association between the two indices of MNS activity. Our findings suggest that these two measures may indeed be unrelated indices that perhaps assess different neurophysiological aspects of the MNS. These results have important implications for future studies examining the MNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soukayna Bekkali
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - George J Youssef
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter H Donaldson
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Christian Hyde
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Do
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason L He
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Pamela Barhoun
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
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Henry A, Raucher-Chéné D, Obert A, Gobin P, Vucurovic K, Barrière S, Sacré S, Portefaix C, Gierski F, Caillies S, Kaladjian A. Investigation of the neural correlates of mentalizing through the Dynamic Inference Task, a new naturalistic task of social cognition. Neuroimage 2021; 243:118499. [PMID: 34438254 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding others' intentions requires both the identification of social cues (e.g., emotional facial expressions, gaze direction) and the attribution of a mental state to another. The neural substrates of these processes have often been studied separately, and results are heterogeneous, in part attributable to the variety of paradigms used. The aim of the present study was to explore the neural regions underlying these sociocognitive processes, using a novel naturalistic task in which participants engage with human protagonists featured in videos. A total of 51 right-handed volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing the Dynamic Inference Task (DIT), manipulating the degree of inference (high vs. low), the presence of emotion (emotional vs. nonemotional), and gaze direction (direct vs. averted). High nonemotional inference elicited neural activation in temporal regions encompassing the right posterior superior temporal sulcus. The presence (vs. absence) of emotion in the high-inference condition elicited a bilateral pattern of activation in internal temporal areas around the amygdala and orbitofrontal structures, as well as activation in the right dorsomedial part of the superior frontal gyrus and the left precuneus. On account of its dynamic, naturalistic approach, the DIT seems a suitable task for exploring social interactions and the way we interact with others, both in nonclinical and clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Henry
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM et CHU de Reims, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims 51100, France.
| | - Delphine Raucher-Chéné
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM et CHU de Reims, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims 51100, France; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Alexandre Obert
- Cognition Sciences, Technology & Ergonomics Laboratory, Champollion National University Institute, University of Toulouse, Place de Verdun, Albi 81000, France.
| | - Pamela Gobin
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM et CHU de Reims, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims 51100, France.
| | - Ksenija Vucurovic
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France; Centre Rémois de Psychothérapie et Neuromodulation, 15 rue Baillia Rolland, Reims 51100, France
| | - Sarah Barrière
- Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM et CHU de Reims, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims 51100, France.
| | - Séverine Sacré
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France
| | - Christophe Portefaix
- Radiology Department, Maison Blanche Hospital, Reims University Hospital, 45 rue Cognacq-Jay, Reims 51092, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire CReSTIC, Campus Moulin de la Housse, Chemin des Rouliers, Reims 51680, France.
| | - Fabien Gierski
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM et CHU de Reims, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims 51100, France; INSERM U1247 GRAP, Research Group on Alcohol and Drugs, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Avenue Laennec, Amiens 80054, France.
| | - Stéphanie Caillies
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France.
| | - Arthur Kaladjian
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé et Société, B.P. 30, 57 Rue Pierre Taittinger, Reims Cedex 51571, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM et CHU de Reims, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims 51100, France; Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, Reims 51100, France.
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Schmidt I, Rutanen T, Luciani RS, Jola C. Feeling for the Other With Ease: Prospective Actors Show High Levels of Emotion Recognition and Report Above Average Empathic Concern, but Do Not Experience Strong Distress. Front Psychol 2021; 12:543846. [PMID: 34140906 PMCID: PMC8203906 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.543846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in empathic abilities between acting, dance, and psychology students were explored, in addition to the appropriateness of existing empathy measures in the context of these cohorts. Students (N = 176) across Higher Education Institutions in the United Kingdom and Europe were included in the online survey analysis, consisting of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RME) test, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Empathy Quotient (EQ), and the E-drawing test (EDT), each measuring particular facets of empathy. Based on existing evidence and our understanding of the discipline practices, we predicted that acting students would perform the best at identifying people’s emotional expressions but might lack other cognitive or affective empathy skills, particularly those related to emotional reactions. This cohort thus provides an opportunity to evaluate different empathy measures. While actors showed significantly higher RME scores than dancers, the difference between actors and psychologists was marginal. Moreover, actors’ scores did not differ significantly on other empathy measures, such as their concern for others’ emotional wellbeing or fantasy, both measured by IRI subscales. Psychology students scored highest in the IRI perspective taking subscale and the data supported anecdotal evidence that psychologists were more concerned for others’ emotional wellbeing than dancers or actors. Dancers seemed the least concerned with others’ perspectives and emotional states, which we explained through a somatosensory ‘inward’ focus required by their art form. Nevertheless, compared to the general population, our groups reported higher empathic abilities on all IRI subscales except for personal distress. Altogether, our study shows that the RME, the IRI, and the EDT vary in their susceptibility to different facets of empathic abilities in acting, dance, and psychology students whereas the EQ does not. Emotions can be expressed and perceived through language, facial expressions, or behavior. As many empathy tests focus on one type of signal they might miss other strategies. Where empathy tests are applied to individuals that have a predominance to read or respond to others in a particular way, as we showed through these three disciplines, they might not capture these empathic strategies. We thus propose that empathy tests must evolve by means of integrating varied forms of communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Schmidt
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Tuomas Rutanen
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto S Luciani
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Corinne Jola
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Colombo B, Anctil R, Balzarotti S, Biassoni F, Antonietti A. The Role of the Mirror System in Influencing Musicians' Evaluation of Musical Creativity: A tDCS Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:624653. [PMID: 33897346 PMCID: PMC8061779 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.624653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence reported in the literature suggests that the mirror system not only plays a role in recognizing motor action but also fosters a better understanding of other people because it helps an individual assume another's perspective. This led to the idea, supported by research findings, that people with higher empathy scores should show higher activation of the mirror system. Recently, it has been hypothesized that a purely auditory mirror system exists. In this study, we aimed to explore the possibility that this system might play a particular role for musicians. Specifically, this system would impact their response to a new piece of music by using non-invasive brain stimulation to modulate the activation of the mirror system. A sample of 40 young musicians was involved in this study. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to a cathodal stimulation condition, while the other half was used as a control. After listening to a new piece of music, participants were asked to rate the creativity of the piece (by focusing on how interesting, innovative, and exciting the piece was) as well as their general emotional response to it. Their empathy levels were also assessed using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Results showed that the cathodal stimulation of the mirror system negatively affected both the perception of creativity (level of innovation) and the emotional response to the music. There was no significant difference in the ratings of how interesting the piece was perceived. The effect was mediated by the individuals' level of empathy. Specifically, empathic concern and fantasy dimensions increased the evaluation of creativity. Results also showed that participants reported less emotion with a negative valence in the cathodal stimulation condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Colombo
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Champlain College, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Reid Anctil
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Champlain College, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Stefania Balzarotti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Biassoni
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy
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Zapała D, Mikołajewski D. Computational model of decreased suppression of mu rhythms in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders during movement observation—preliminary findings. BIO-ALGORITHMS AND MED-SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/bams-2020-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent developmental conditions with deficits in the cognitive, motor, communication and social domains. It is thought that imitative behaviour may be impaired in children with ASD. The Mirror Neural System (MNS) concept plays an important role in theories explaining the link between action perception, imitation and social decision-making in ASD.
Methods
In this study, Emergent 7.0.1 software was used to build a computational model of the phenomenon of MNS influence on motion imitation. Seven point populations of Hodgkin–Huxley artificial neurons were used to create a simplified model.
Results
The model shows pathologically altered processing in the neural network, which may reflect processes observed in ASD due to reduced stimulus attenuation. The model is considered preliminary—further research should test for a minimally significant difference between the states: normal processing and pathological processing.
Conclusions
The study shows that even a simple computational model can provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the phenomena observed in experimental studies, including in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Zapała
- Department of Experimental Psychology , The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland
| | - Dariusz Mikołajewski
- Institute of Computer Science, Kazimierz Wielki University , Bydgoszcz , Poland
- Neurocognitive Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University , Toruń , Poland
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30
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Bekkali S, Youssef GJ, Donaldson PH, He J, Do M, Hyde C, Barhoun P, Enticott PG. Do Gaze Behaviours during Action Observation Predict Interpersonal Motor Resonance? Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 17:61-71. [PMID: 32780868 PMCID: PMC8824634 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsaa106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal motor resonance (IMR) is a common putative index of the mirror neuron system (MNS), a network containing specialised cells that fire during both action execution and observation. Visual content inputs to the MNS, however, it is unclear whether visual behaviours mediate the putative MNS response. We aimed to examine gaze effects on IMR during action observation. Neurotypical adults (N = 99; 60 female) underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, and eye-tracking during the observation of videos of actors performing grasping actions. IMR was measured as a percentage change in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of the first dorsal interosseous muscle during action observation relative to baseline. MEP facilitation was observed during action observation, indicating IMR (65.43%, SE = 11.26%, P < 0.001). Fixations occurring in biologically relevant areas (face/hand/arm) yielded significantly stronger IMR (81.03%, SE = 14.15%) than non-biological areas (63.92%, SE = 14.60, P = 0.012). This effect, however, was only evident in the first of four experimental blocks. Our results suggest that gaze fixation can modulate IMR, but this may be affected by the salience and novelty of the observed action. These findings have important methodological implications for future studies in both clinical and healthy populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soukayna Bekkali
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - George J Youssef
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.,Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Peter H Donaldson
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Jason He
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.,Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Do
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Christian Hyde
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Pamela Barhoun
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
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