Short-Term Kinesthetic Training for Sensorimotor Rhythms: Effects in Experts and Amateurs

The authors’ aim was to examine whether short-term kinesthetic training affects the level of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) in different frequency band: alpha (8–12 Hz), lower beta (12.5–16 Hz) and beta (16.5–20 Hz) during the execution of a motor imagery task of closing and opening the right and the left hand by experts (jugglers, practicing similar exercises on an everyday basis) and amateurs (individuals not practicing any sports). It was found that the performance of short kinesthetic training increases the power of alpha rhythm when executing imagery tasks only in the group of amateurs. Therefore, kinesthetic training may be successfully used as a method increasing the vividness of motor imagery, for example, in tasks involving the control of brain–computer interfaces based on SMR.     

The Effects of Eight-Month Physical Activity Intervention on Vigilance Performance in Adult Obese Population

We aim to analyze the effects of an 8-month physical activity intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index (BMI), and vigilance performance in an adult obese population. We conducted an 8-month physical activity intervention based on dance and rhythmic activities. The weekly frequency was 2 sessions of 1 hr per day. Training sessions were divided into 3 phases: a 10-min warm-up, 40 min of dance and rhythmic activities, and 10 min to cool-down. To assess cardiorespiratory fitness, participants performed a modified version of the 6-min walk test from the Senior Fitness Test battery (Larsson & Mattsson, 2001; Rikli & Jones, 1999). Vigilance performance was measured by means of the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). Two measurements were performed immediately before and after the intervention. The results revealed that participants improved their cardiorespiratory fitness, BMI, and vigilance performance after the intervention. All in all, findings contribute new empirical evidence to the field that investigates the benefits of physical activity intervention on cognitive processes in obese population.     

Effect of Short-Term Training on Reaching Behavior in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of short-term training on reaching behavior in infants at the onset of reaching. The study was a single-blind, parallel group design, randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty healthy infants were randomly assigned to a social control group (n = 15) or a reaching training group (n = 15). Infants began the study up to 3 days after the onset of reaching and were assessed three times across 2 days: pretraining (before training), posttraining 1 (after 1 session of training), and posttraining 2 (after 3 sessions of training). The reaching training group received 3 sessions of training by a physical therapist while the control group received a similar amount of time sitting in the therapist's lap. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analyses of variance, and independent-samples tests with Bonferroni adjustments. Short-term training resulted in increased frequency of object contacts, shorter and smoother reaches, and improved hand positioning. The few short training sessions likely provided opportunities for infants to explore and learn to select movements from their existing movement repertoire. These results demonstrate that adaptive changes in infants' novel behaviors can emerge rapidly, and highlight the need for increased understanding of how to most effectively time early interventions.     

Psychometric Properties and Clinical Cut-Off Scores of the Spanish Version of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents

Psychotic (P) and Non-Psychotic (N-P) retardates were compared on 13 Rorschach “indicators” of psychosis using a matched pairs technique. Two of the 13 signs were found to significantly differentiate between groups with the P group demonstrating a lower F% and higher C' responding than the N-P group.     

Dynamic stability control during perturbed walking can be assessed by a reduced kinematic model across the adult female lifespan

The current study aimed to determine potential differences in dynamic stability control during perturbed walking across the adult female lifespan and to test the hypothesis that such differences can be assessed by a reduced kinematic model. 11 young-aged (22–30 years), 9 middle-aged (41–59 years) and 14 old-aged (62–75 years) female adults walked on a treadmill while the right leg was unexpectedly perturbed once during the swing phase. Margin of stability (MS) at touchdown was investigated using a full body and a reduced kinematic model. After the perturbation, all age groups showed a lower MS compared to non-perturbed gait (baseline), leading to negative MS. Four old-aged adults failed to cope with the task (only preventing a fall by grasping). The remaining ten old-aged and the middle-aged subjects required three more recovery steps than the young-aged adults to get back to baseline MS. Moreover, there were no differences between kinematic models, and both methods demonstrated similar age-related findings. We concluded that the ability to control dynamic stability during perturbed walking by enlarging the base of support has already begun to deteriorate by middle age. Further, the valid agreement between kinematic models shows that such differences can be assessed by using just four body markers.     

Personality and social attitudes: Evidence for positive-approach motivation

Extensive research has linked general personality factors to social attitudes, but there has been comparatively little work on the roles played by specific approach-avoidance personality factors, especially positive-approach ones. Here we relate such factors to the two main clusters of social attitudes (Right-Wing Authoritarianism, RWA; and Social Dominance Orientation, SDO), and related cognitive constructs (Need for Cognition and Need for Closure). Results revealed: (a) positive-approach motivation is consistently related to both RWA and SDO, with little contribution from negative-avoidance motivation; and (b) negative-avoidance motivation played a part in Need for Cognition (negatively related) and Need for Closure (positively related). These data challenge previous theorizing concerning the role of fear/anxiety in social attitude formation and prejudice more generally. We conclude that, to a larger extent than previously thought, approach-related personality factors underpin the positive reinforcement of social attitudes and prejudice. Our results may help to account for the failure of programmes designed to reduce prejudice which have been based on the reduction of negative emotion and motivation.     

Vulnerabilidad,alto riesgo y prevención de la esquizofrenia: una perspectiva cognitiva

Resumen

Ante el hecho sobradamente constatado de que el episodio esquizofrénico es profundamente desorganizador y su recuperación difícil e impredectible, se está prestando, en años recientes, una especial atención y esfuerzo al desarollo y puesta en práctica de programas preventivos. El modelo de vulnerabilidad a la esquizofrenia parece configurarse como el marco teórico y de trabajo más adecuado para tales programas. Tras revisar los postulados básicos de dicho modelo se presenta una revisión de los más relevantes estudios experimentales que están permitiendo la identificación de marcadores cognitivos de vulnerabilidad a la esquizofrenia en poblaciones de «alto riesgo». Se apunta, a continuación, la posibilidad de elaborar una batería que permita la identificación precoz de los sujetos que podrían convertirse en esquizofrénicos. Se analiza someramente algunos de los más importantes programas preventivos de esquizofrenia y se concluye que aún es pronto para emitir un juicio acerca de la eficacia de los mismos. Se deja patente, finalmente, que si bien todavía no estamos preparados para prevenir la esquizofrenia nos encontramos en el camino adecuado para conseguirlo.     

Análisis bibliométrico de las técnicas de evaluación del potencial de aprendizaje

Resumen

En este trabajo se hace una revisión bibliométrica entre los años 1964–1986 de las técnicas de potencial de aprendizaje. Se considera 1964 como punto de partida del desarrollo y de la investigación sobre estas técnicas y, en el peréodo señalado, se revisan contenidos temáticos, equipos de investigación y revistas que representan la mayor cantidad de trabajos producidos sobre esta metodología de evaluación de habilidades cognitivas.     

Limitaciones de procesamiento y selectividad atencional

RESUMEN

José María Ruiz Vargas y Juan Botella introducen este dossier revisando los modelos de atención de los últimos veinte años. Estos autores plantean críticamente las respuestas principales a los dos grandes temas de la psicología de la atención: el de la limitación del sistema de procesamiento -repasando los modelos de limitación estructural y de recursos y abordando la distinción entre procesamiento automático y controlado- y el del lugar y momento de la selección estimular a que esa limitación obliga, comentando las evidencias a favor de una selección temprana, tardía o múltiple. Los autores concluyen su trabajo con algunas precisiones en torno al concepto de atención y sin decantarse definitivamente por ninguna teoría.