Psychophysiology of analysis of connotative decodification: the role of thermic and somesthetic systems in decodification of chromatic stimuli

We hypothesized that in the decodification of connotative aspects of visual chromatic stimuli the periphery of the body plays an important role. In particular we hypothesized that the decodification process of so called "warm" and "cold" colours is related to a real modification of the temperature of the body which is the basis of the "subjective feeling" and of the attribution of the "emotional meaning" to the stimulus. So we have measured the temperature of the body of 36 female psychology students while they were looking at a luminous screen through spectacles in which filters (coloured lenses) of different colours were placed. Analysis indicated that during the perception of so called "warm" colours a statistically significant increase in the temperature of the body appeared. We observed an enhancement of temperature on the left side of the body during the perception with red and yellow filters and a small increase in temperature on the right side of the body with orange and yellow filters. In the discussion of the results we considered also the role of the cerebral dominance in decodification process of the connotative components of stimuli.     

Relationship between cognitive style and emotional behavior.

In this research we examined the relationships among cognitive styles using the categorization of Bion and styles of modulation of emotional behavior (hostile content) explored with the Gottschalk, et al. method applied to the speech of 20 female and 10 male undergraduate students whose ages ranged from 20 to 35 years. Their verbalization was produced in a standard stimulus situation of 3 minutes duration. Analysis indicated a relationship between hostile attitude and cognitive styles. In particular, those who were relatively less hostile presented higher frequencies of processes classified by Bion as D2, which are characterized by an attitude of expectancy and waiting, with a tendency to defend internal psychological themas.     

Chromatic perception in relation to an hypothesized cerebral dominance

On the basis of the cerebral dominance, we have hypothesized an asymmetry (for saturation or brightness) between the two eyes in perception of chromatic stimuli. 51 subjects were tested on chromatic perception (green, red, yellow, blue). For each subject also an ocular-dominance score was obtained. The results substantially confirmed the hypothesis of cerebral dominance in color perception. Subjects with high ocular-dominance scores (right- or left-dominant subjects) showed for the green stimulus asymmetric behavior, while subjects with low ocular-dominance scores showed a tendency toward symmetry in perception.     

Clinical Trial Application in Europe: What Will Change with the New Regulation?

The European framework surrounding clinical trials on medicinal products for human use is going to change as demonstrated by the large debate at European institutional level. One of the major challenges is to overcome the lack of harmonisation of clinical trial procedures among countries. This aspect is gaining more and more importance, considering the increasing number of multicentre and multinational studies. In this work, the actual European rules governing the Clinical Trial Application have been analysed throughout the different steps including the registration of the trial in the European database; the preparation of documents to be submitted and their contents; the preparation of documents related to the information and consent process; the submission to competent bodies. Specific issues related to paediatric research and trials involving non EU/EEA countries have been addressed as well. Results reveal that the European legislation offers a well defined set of European rules covering different aspects of a Clinical Trial Application. However, these are not suitable to meet the challenges from multicentre and multinational clinical studies. A stronger set of rules, such as is available in a composite European Regulation has been adopted and is expected to harmonise practices and enable sponsors to carry out well conducted trials. But will the new regulation overcome the existing criticisms of Directive 2001/20/EC?     

Barrier and penetration scores in relation to some objective and subjective somesthetic measures

Barrier and Penetration scores in relation to some variables, such as muscular tone at rest, sensitivity to tickle, and body perception were studied in a group of 35 female subjects. While no correlations appear within the whole group of subjects between Barrier scores and the other variables, on the left side of the body. Dividing subjects on the basis of Barrier scores, three groups with different characteristics appear: 12 subjects with high Barrier scores show an inverse relation of Barrier scores with sensitivity to tickle on the right side of the body; 12 subjects with middle Barrier scores show a direct relation of Barrier scores with muscular tone and an inverse one with both latency of tickle on the right half of the body and body perception; 11 subjects with low Barrier scores show an inverse relation of Barrier scores with durations of tickle on both sides of the body.     

The eyes in imagery and perceptual processes: first remarks.

Through an echographic system we examined the activity of the crystalline lens of 10 men and women during real perceptual activity and during imagery. Subjects had to perceive near and far stimuli and to imagine reading a word on a page of a book (near imagined stimulus) or seeing a ship on the horizon (far imagined stimulus). Results showed that processes of accommodation (linked to the variations of the optical axis of the crystalline lens) occur in both real and imaginative conditions. The first results suggest an active role of the eye during imagery.     

Relationships among pleasure, anxiety and physiological response patterns during the sexual sequence in normal and dispermic subjects

We examined the reported subjective level of pleasure and anxiety usually perceived during the four phases of the sexual sequence by 18 dispermic patients and 18 normal subjects. Relevant differences exist between the two groups in their perception of both emotions. The role of pleasure and anxiety in modulating some reflexive biological responses of the sexual sequence is discussed.     

Relationship between emotions and muscle tension in oro-alimentary behavior

The relationship between muscular tension in the right and left masseter and orbicularis oris and different forms of hostility measured through the Gottschalk test was examined for 24 female subjects. For the muscles of the right half of the body a direct relation was noted with overt outward hostility, while on the left half of the body only the tension of the masseter was related directly to ambivalent hostility. Our hypothesis about a link between modulation of aggressive behaviors and muscles involved in functions such as chewing and biting was confirmed.     

Space contraction experiences during acoustic metronomic stimulation: a synthetic discussion

On the basis of the results of a previous research, we will present a new interpretation of some psychophysiological component of spatial experience. The research examined the role of the acoustic activity of a metronome (with different frequencies of 66, 144, 192/min) on a space estimation between two points. The stimulus distances between the points were 30, 60, 90 cm. Increasing the metronomic frequency determines an evident contraction of the estimation of the perceived distances for each of the three different stimulus distances. The results have been interpreted in light of a psychophysiological integrated model.     

Peer attachment and self-esteem: A meta-analytic review

Peer attachment might provide individuals with opportunities to build their sense of self-worth. The purpose of this paper was to meta-analytically review literature on peer attachment and self-esteem. A total of 22 articles reporting 24 studies documenting correlations between peer attachment and self-esteem in adolescents and emerging adults were included in this meta-analysis. Of these studies, most examined links between global peer attachment and self-esteem, while few studies reported any associations between specific dimensions of peer attachment (i.e., trust, communication, and alienation) and self-esteem. Results showed significant correlations between peer attachment and self-esteem, consistently found both in studies focused on global attachment as well as in studies including specific attachment dimensions. Furthermore, since a significant heterogeneity was found across the studies, the effects of various categorical and continuous moderators related to characteristics of the study samples and designs were tested. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.