Recognition of dance-like actions: Memory for static posture or dynamic movement?

Dance-like actions are complex visual stimuli involving multiple changes in body posture across time and space. Visual perception research has demonstrated a difference between the processing of dynamic body movement and the processing of static body posture. Yet, it is unclear whether this processing dissociation continues during the retention of body movement and body form in visual working memory (VWM). When observing a dance-like action, it is likely that static snapshot images of body posture will be retained alongside dynamic images of the complete motion. Therefore, we hypothesized that, as in perception, posture and movement would differ in VWM. Additionally, if body posture and body movement are separable in VWM, as form- and motion-based items, respectively, then differential interference from intervening form and motion tasks should occur during recognition. In two experiments, we examined these hypotheses. In Experiment 1, the recognition of postures and movements was tested in conditions in which the formats of the study and test stimuli matched (movement–study to movement–test, posture–study to posture–test) or mismatched (movement–study to posture–test, posture–study to movement–test). In Experiment 2, the recognition of postures and movements was compared after intervening form and motion tasks. These results indicated that (1) the recognition of body movement based only on posture is possible, but it is significantly poorer than recognition based on the entire movement stimulus, and (2) form-based interference does not impair memory for movements, although motion-based interference does. We concluded that, whereas static posture information is encoded during the observation of dance-like actions, body movement and body posture differ in VWM.     

Corporeal awareness and proprioceptive sense of the phantom

Phantom limb perception almost invariably follows limb amputation, and can be characterized by various corporeal and proprioceptive qualities. We report a study of 283 amputees, which administered a structured questionnaire to systematically determine the relative frequency and nature of various bodily aspects of phantom limb perception. These include the size, shape, posture, and telescoping of the phantom; exteroceptive sensations of itch, touch, pressure, vibration, temperature, and ‘electric’ sensations; and prosthesis embodiment. Phantom limbs were generally found to be characterized by properties that parallel those of the intact body, although with anatomically impossible configurations sometimes being perceived. We suggest that both the internal limb image and limb schemata play a significant role in the continued perception of phantom limbs.     

Physical posture: Could it have regulatory or feedback effects on motivation and emotion?

Four studies were conducted in a laboratory setting to examine whether variations in physical posture can have a regulatory or feedback role affecting motivation and emotion. The results of the first study, which were replicated in the second study, revealed that subjects who had been temporarily placed in a slumped, depressed physical posture later appeared to develop helplessness more readily, as assessed by their lack of persistence in a standard learned helplessness task, than did subjects who had been placed in an expansive, upright posture; surprisingly, there were no differences in verbal reports. The third study established that physical posture was an important cue in observers' verbal reports of depression in another person. The fourth study further explored the role of posture in self-reports of emotion using another posture. The results indicated that subjects who were placed in a hunched, threatened physical posture verbally reported self-perceptions of greater stress than subjects who were placed in a relaxed position. The findings of these studies are interpreted in terms of self-perception theory. It is suggested that physical postures of the body are one of several types of cues that can affect emotional experience and behavior.The thanks of the authors are extended to Irving L. Janis, Myron Rothbart, and some previous anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on this article.     

Representing and anticipating human actions in vision

Visual perception of human actions was investigated in a long-term priming experiment. On each trial in the priming phase, participants were presented with a pair of short motion animations showing a person performing a particular whole body movement and had to decide whether the actions were the same or different. In the testing block, the same observers had to determine whether static pictures of a human model showed a possible or an impossible body pose. For each test posture, a subject either (1) had seen a priming animation in which the actor would have reached the test posture if the animation had lasted longer, (2) had seen an animation in which the actor would have been in the test posture if the animation had started earlier, or (3) had not seen a related priming animation. Reliable facilitatory priming effects were obtained only when the test posture was preceded by a motion sequence that would have resulted in the test posture if the human model had continued the action. The findings support the hypothesis that, when confronted with a human action, observers anticipate the future posture of the actor and that this anticipation facilitates later identification of the posture.     

Neural representation for the perception of the intentionality of actions

A novel population of cells is described, located in the anterior part of the superior temporal sulcus (STSa, sometimes called STPa) of the temporal lobe in the macaque monkey. These cells respond selectively to the sight of reaching but only when the agent performing the action is seen to be attending to the target position of the reaching. We describe how such conditional selectivity can be generated from the properties of distinct cell populations within STSa. One cell population responds selectively to faces, eye gaze, and body posture, and we argue that subsets of these cells code for the direction of attention of others. A second cell population is selectively responsive to limb movement in certain directions (e.g., responding to an arm movement to the left but not to an equivalent leg movement or vice versa). The responses of a subset of cells sensitive to limb movement are modulated by the direction of attention (indicated by head and body posture of the agent performing the action). We conclude that this combined analysis of direction of attention and body movements supports the detection of intentional actions.     

从离身到具身:具身管理学的可能

传统管理学理论有着明显的"离身"倾向,使得"身体"成为组织管理的"暗箱"。具身理论为"具身"取向的管理学新发展提供了可能。组织(认知)神经学研究为具身管理学提供了神经生理依据,而具身领导、组织、决策等研究则标示着其兴起。在组织管理中,可以依据躯体信息、隐喻、情景行动等三方面线索探究具身性因素对组织管理的影响。具身管理学在理论假设与现实条件层面均存在一定的可能性,但短期内并不能取代"离身"取向的管理学而成为主流。     

左前额叶与趋近动机加工的关系

在加工正性情绪时, 前额叶左侧激活水平大于右侧。而正性情绪往往伴随着趋近动机。因此为了探索这种现象反映的究竟是正性情绪加工还是趋近动机加工, 文章总结了两个研究领域中的有关证据：来自特质或状态愤怒情绪与左前额叶相对激活关系领域的研究证据和来自身体姿势变化(包括整体姿势变化和单侧肌肉紧缩)对左前额叶相对激活的影响领域的研究证据。前者的一致发现是：左前额叶参与加工由愤怒情绪引发的趋近动机。后者的一致发现是：不同的身体姿势能够改变左前额叶的相对激活水平。两种领域的研究证据汇聚起来证明左前额叶参与加工趋近动机。文章还指出了将来研究的注意事项和可能方向：精确定义回避型愤怒; 探索愤怒情绪是否在加工晚期诱发趋近或回避动机; 探索不同方式诱发的趋近动机是否在脑机制上存在差异。     

Choice of end-state comfort is dependent upon the time spent at the beginning-state and the precision requirement of the end-state

Choice of posture while grasping an object typically depends upon several factors including the time spent in that posture, what postures were held prior to choosing that posture, and the precision required by the posture. The purpose of this study was to test choice of end-state thumb-up posture based on time spent at the beginning-state and the precision requirement of the end-state. To determine choice of thumb-up based on time or precision, we varied how long a subject had to hold the beginning state before moving an object to an end location. We made end-state precision either small or large and eliminated the precision needed to stand the object up at the end of the movement. A choice between “comfort” at the beginning or precision at the end-state would be demanded by the conditions with long beginning-state hold times and high precision demands. We aimed to determine which aspect of movement was of greater importance to individuals, overall “comfort” or precision. When the requirement was to hold the initial grasp longer, and the end-target was large, we predicted that we would see more thumb-up postures adopted at the beginning state. When the final placement was small and the initial posture was not constrained, we predicted we would see thumb-up postures adopted at the end state. On average, we found that, as beginning-state grasp time increased, more individuals chose beginning-state thumb-up postures. Perhaps, not surprisingly, we found distinct individual differences within our sample. Some individuals seemed to choose beginning-state thumb-up postures nearly 100% of the time, while other individuals chose end-state thumb-up postures nearly 100% of the time. Both the time spent in a posture and its precision requirements influenced planning, but not necessarily in a systematic way.     

Emotion expression in body action and posture

Emotion communication research strongly focuses on the face and voice as expressive modalities, leaving the rest of the body relatively understudied. Contrary to the early assumption that body movement only indicates emotional intensity, recent studies have shown that body movement and posture also conveys emotion specific information. However, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms is hampered by a lack of production studies informed by a theoretical framework. In this research we adopted the Body Action and Posture (BAP) coding system to examine the types and patterns of body movement that are employed by 10 professional actors to portray a set of 12 emotions. We investigated to what extent these expression patterns support explicit or implicit predictions from basic emotion theory, bidimensional theory, and componential appraisal theory. The overall results showed partial support for the different theoretical approaches. They revealed that several patterns of body movement systematically occur in portrayals of specific emotions, allowing emotion differentiation. Although a few emotions were prototypically expressed by one particular pattern, most emotions were variably expressed by multiple patterns, many of which can be explained as reflecting functional components of emotion such as modes of appraisal and action readiness. It is concluded that further work in this largely underdeveloped area should be guided by an appropriate theoretical framework to allow a more systematic design of experiments and clear hypothesis testing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).     

Proprioceptive impairment and postural orientation control in Parkinson's disease

Impairment of postural control is a common consequence of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Increasing evidences demonstrate that the pathophysiology of postural disorders in PD includes deficits in proprioceptive processing and integration. However, the nature of these deficits has not been thoroughly examined. We propose to establish a link between proprioceptive impairments and postural deficits in PD using two different experimental approaches manipulating proprioceptive information. In the first one, the subjects stood on a platform that tilted slowly with oscillatory angular movements in the frontal or sagittal planes. The amplitude and frequency of these movements were kept below the semicircular canal perception threshold. Subjects were asked to maintain vertical body posture with and without vision. The orientations of body segments were analyzed. In the second one, the postural control was tested using the tendon-vibration method, which is known to generate illusory movement sensations and postural reactions. Vibrations were applied to ankle muscles. The subject’s whole-body motor responses were analyzed from center of pressure displacements.In the first experiment, the parkinsonian patients (PP) were unable to maintain the vertical trunk orientation without vision. Their performances with vision improved, without fully reaching the level of control subjects (CS). In the second experiment, the postural reactions of the PP were similar to those of the CS at the beginning of the perturbation and increased drastically at the end of the perturbation’s period as compared to those of CS and could induce fall.These results will bring new concepts to the sensorimotor postural control, to the physiopathology of posture, equilibrium and falls in PD and to the role of basal ganglia pathways in proprioception integration. Nevertheless, in order to assess precisely the role played by sensorimotor integration deficits in postural impairments in PD, further studies establishing the links between clinical features and abnormalities are now required.     

Validation of the DynaPort MiniMod during sleep: a pilot study

To measure activity during sleep, polysomnography and actigraphy are often used. The DynaPort MiniMod measures movement intensity and body position day and night. The goal was to examine the validity of the DynaPort MiniMod in assessing physical activity and body posture during sleep. In Study A, 10 healthy participants slept with the DynaPort MiniMod and the Actiwatch for one night. In Study B, 8 participants suspected of having Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome slept for one night with the DynaPort MiniMod and underwent complete polysomnography as part of the typical care protocol. In Study A, there was a significant moderate correlation (r = .70) between the movement scores of the Actiwatch and the DynaPort MiniMod. In Study B, a high intraclass correlation (r = .84) between body posture scores of the DynaPort MiniMod and the polysomnography position sensor was observed. The DynaPort MiniMod is a valid measurement device for physical activity during sleep.     

Learning to like it: Aesthetic perception of bodies,movements and choreographic structure

Appreciating human movement can be a powerful aesthetic experience. We have used apparent biological motion to investigate the aesthetic effects of three levels of movement representation: body postures, movement transitions and choreographic structure. Symmetrical (ABCDCBA) and asymmetrical (ABCDBCA) sequences of apparent movement were created from static postures, and were presented in an artificial grammar learning paradigm. Additionally, “good” continuation of apparent movements was manipulated by changing the number of movement path reversals within a sequence. In an initial exposure phase, one group of participants saw only symmetrical sequences, while another group saw only asymmetrical sequences. In a subsequent test phase, both groups rated all sequences on an aesthetic evaluation scale. We found that posture, movement, and choreographic structure all influenced aesthetic ratings. Separate ratings for the static body postures presented individually showed that both groups preferred a posture that maximized spatial symmetry. Ratings for the experimental sequences showed that both groups gave higher ratings to symmetrical sequences with “good” continuation and lower ratings to sequences with many path reversals. Further, participants who had been initially familiarized with asymmetrical sequences showed increased liking for asymmetrical sequences, suggesting a structural mere exposure effect. Aesthetic preferences thus depend on body postures, apparent movement continuation and choreographic structure. We propose a hierarchical model of aesthetic perception of human movement with distinct processing levels for body postures, movements and choreographic structure.     

The sensory nature of reward in instrumental behavior

Improvement in the sensory state, or “better-being,” achieved either through obtaining desirable sensations or through escaping undesirable sensations, is considered the essential value which maintains the instrumental behavior. This value may vary depending on such factors as the intensity of the stimulus producing sensations, the effects of its previous occurrence, and the changes in the internal and external environment. Methods of evaluation of sensory “better-being” by means of measuring instrumental, autonomic and EEG responses are discussed.     

Verbal categories for classification of spinal postures and their respective angular values registered by photographs and electrogoniometry.

The perception of posture may allow workers to discern sensations associated with physical overload and potential tissue damage. In an occupational context, the classification of body postures in ranges of amplitude has been useful for researchers and ergonomists interested in evaluating the exposure of workers to uncomfortable and potentially harmful postures. In this paper we describe measurements, using photographs and electrogoniometry of the angle of flexion of the trunk and of the thoracolumbar segment, respectively, adopted according to the verbal categories of mild, moderate, and severe flexion, as requested by the experimenter. The results showed no differences between the groups of subjects, but significant differences occurred in the classification of the movement amplitude per verbal categories.     

Interactions among end-effectors and movement parameters influence reaction time in discrete, rapid aimed movements.

Two reliable findings in discrete, rapid aimed movements are that reaction time increases with decrease in target diameter (for the short-length movements), and reaction time is not affected by movement length [Journal of Experimental Psychology, Human Perception and Performance 104 (2) (1975) 147]. Participants normally use a short stylus (SS) to tap targets located on either side of a central (aligned with body midline) start-point with no restrictions imposed on the initial posture of the limb or segmental recruitment except as determined by movement conditions. Thus, the effects of movement parameters on reaction time in previous work are potentially confounded with the effect of initial posture of the limb at the start-point, along with order and amount of the contribution of segments recruited in response execution. Two experiments were performed to resolve the confounding between initial posture and recruitment of limb segments. In the first experiment a conventional stylus (pen-like) was employed and the starting position of the limb was aligned either with the body midline or with the participant's right shoulder. The effect of starting position on reaction time was not significant. In the second experiment the starting position was in line with the right shoulder. Two groups participated. One group used a conventional stylus. For the second group a modified (lengthened) stylus was used that permitted initial limb posture and number of limb segments recruited to be held constant across an extended range of movement lengths. When similar sets of limb segments were used, reaction time increased with decreasing movement length and diminishing target diameter. These findings suggest that uncontrolled initial limb posture, uncontrolled order of joint(s) recruitment, and the subsequent inclusion of reaction time values from incompatible sources may, in the final analysis, have confounded previous work investigating movement amplitude and target diameter effects on reaction time.     

When dynamic, the head and face alone can express pride

Prior research suggested that pride is recognized only when a head and facial expression (e.g., tilted head with a slight smile) is combined with a postural expression (e.g., expanded body and arm gestures). However, these studies used static photographs. In the present research, participants labeled the emotion conveyed by four dynamic cues to pride, presented as video clips: head and face alone, body posture alone, voice alone, and an expression in which head and face, body posture, and voice were presented simultaneously. Participants attributed pride to the head and face alone, even when postural or vocal information was absent. Pride can be conveyed without body posture or voice.     

Neck posture is influenced by anticipation of stepping

BackgroundPostural deviations such as forward head posture (FHP) are associated with adverse health effects. The causes of these deviations are poorly understood. We hypothesized that anticipating target-directed movement could cause the head to get “ahead of” the body, interfering with optimal head/neck posture, and that the effect may be exacerbated by task difficulty and/or poor inhibitory control.MethodWe assessed posture in 45 healthy young adults standing quietly and when they anticipated walking to place a tray: in a simple condition and in conditions requiring that they bend low or balance an object on the tray. We defined FHP as neck angle relative to torso; we also measured head angle relative to neck and total neck length. We assessed inhibitory control using a Go/No-Go task, Stroop task, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).ResultsFHP increased when participants anticipated movement, particularly for more difficult movements. Worse Stroop performance and lower MAAS scores correlated with higher FHP. False alarms on the Go/No-Go task correlated with a more extended head relative to the neck and with shortening of the neck when anticipating movement.ConclusionsMaintaining neutral posture may require inhibition of an impulse to put the head forward of the body when anticipating target-directed movement.     

Bodily expression of emotion

The question whether body movements and body postures are indicative of specific emotions is a matter of debate. While some studies have found evidence for specific body movements accompanying specific emotions, others indicate that movement behavior (aside from facial expression) may be only indicative of the quantity (intensity) of emotion, but not of its quality. The study reported here is an attempt to demonstrate that body movements and postures to some degree are specific for certain emotions. A sample of 224 video takes, in which actors and actresses portrayed the emotions of elated joy, happiness, sadness, despair, fear, terror, cold anger, hot anger, disgust, contempt, shame, guilt, pride, and boredom via a scenario approach, was analyzed using coding schemata for the analysis of body movements and postures. Results indicate that some emotion-specific movement and posture characteristics seem to exist, but that for body movements differences between emotions can be partly explained by the dimension of activation. While encoder (actor) differences are rather pronounced with respect to specific movement and posture habits, these differences are largely independent from the emotion-specific differences found. The results are discussed with respect to emotion-specific discrete expression models in contrast to dimensional models of emotion encoding. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Interoception and Suicidality

Empirically informed theories of suicide highlight the importance of identifying factors that lead from suicide ideation to suicidal behavior. Interoceptive dysfunction may be one such differentiating factor. Interoceptive dysfunction refers to a disconnection from the internal sensations of the body, which can cause difficulty in truly understanding and knowing one’s own body. Specifically, interoceptive dysfunction may lead to such disconnection from the self that the body comes to be seen as “other” and potentially even “nonhuman.” A burgeoning body of research supports these theoretical links and also highlights the need for methodologically rigorous studies that employ careful measurement of these constructs. Thus, this special section is devoted to articles that advance the understanding of the relationship between interoception and suicidality. A more nuanced understanding of the relationship between interoceptive dysfunction and suicidality is critical for improving suicide prevention and treatment efforts.