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Background and ObjectivesDesign and MethodsResultsConclusionsThis multimodal two-phase study investigated the impact of trait social anxiety on exploration, social attention, and autonomic responses in a naturalistic setting. We expected higher avoidance of potentially crowded spaces, reduced visual attention on other people, and heightened physiological arousal in social situations for participants with higher social anxiety levels.Eighty-seven participants, pre-screened for high variance in trait social anxiety, first completed a half-hour walk on a freely chosen route and subsequently had a staged social interaction with a confederate consisting of a non-interactive waiting phase and a short conversation.While social anxiety did not modulate the choice of route during the walk phase, socially anxious participants avoided gazing at other individuals in non-interactive situations, i.e., during the walk and the waiting phase. In contrast, during actual interaction, they showed increased visual attention towards the confederate’s face. Across all experimental phases, highly socially anxious individuals showed elevated heart rates, but this effect was independent of the social context.This study showed that social anxiety affects social exploration behavior not in a way of general avoidance, but rather in nuanced adaptations depending on the concrete situation, likelihood of interaction and associated socio-evaluative threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital health research often relies on case vignettes (descriptions of fictitious or real patients) to navigate ethical and practical challenges. Despite their utility, the quality and lack of standardization of these vignettes has often been criticized, especially in studies on symptom-assessment applications (SAAs) and self-triage decision-making. To address this, our paper introduces a method to refine an existing set of vignettes, drawing on principles from classical test theory. First, we removed any vignette with an item difficulty of zero and an item-total correlation below zero. Second, we stratified the remaining vignettes to reflect the natural base rates of symptoms that SAAs are typically approached with, selecting those vignettes with the highest item-total correlation in each quota. Although this two-step procedure reduced the size of the original vignette set by 40%, comparing self-triage performance on the reduced and the original vignette sets, we found a strong correlation (r = 0.747 to r = 0.997, p <.001). This indicates that using our refinement method helps identifying vignettes with high predictive power of an agent's self-triage performance while simultaneously increasing cost-efficiency of vignette-based evaluation studies. This might ultimately lead to higher research quality and more reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Medication management errors are suspected to be prevalent among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study examined types of simulated medication-taking errors in cognitively normal older adults (CN; n = 131), single domain amnestic MCI (sdMCI, n = 91), and multi-domain MCI (mdMCI, n = 44). Errors were measured using the medication management ability assessment (MMAA). Methods: 266 participants seen for neuropsychological evaluation (94.4% White, 57.9% female, average age = 72, average education = 14 years) completed the MMAA (version 4.1), a performance-based task of medication management. Group differences in MMAA total scores, accuracy, and error types were evaluated using Kruskall-Wallis H tests. This study was the first to explore a newly operationalized error, perseverations, caused by taking a specific dose ≥2 times during the simulation. Results: CN and sdMCI groups had higher MMAA total scores than individuals with mdMCI, indicating better overall performance. The mdMCI group made a higher number of omission errors (missed pills) than other groups, but no differences were found for commission errors (extra pills). The sdMCI group made more perseverative errors compared to the CN group. Conclusions: Individuals with mdMCI made more simulated medication management errors than CN and sdMCI groups, indicating that they may be most vulnerable to difficulties in medication management. In contrast, sdMCI individuals were more likely to make perseverative errors, which may reflect a tendency towards overcompensation of memory loss. Future studies should assess whether MMAA performance is associated with patterns of real-world medication-taking in more diverse samples of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological validity refers to the meaningfulness or practical significance of research outcomes in everyday settings or the extent to which an intervention can be implemented by typical people during naturally occurring opportunities. In education, ecological validity may contribute to the adoption of interventions by teachers working with students in school settings. Our purpose in this review was to examine the evidence for ecological validity of functional communication training (FCT) used to address challenging behavior in school-age individuals with disabilities. We reviewed 19 single-case experimental design (SCED) studies published between 1985 and 2023. First, we used the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Standards to evaluate the empirical evidence of each study. Second, we evaluated the extent to which behavioral assessment and FCT procedures were described in the 15 studies that met the WWC Standards. Third, we conducted a systematic analysis of the evidence for ecological validity of behavioral assessment and FCT. Results indicate that 95% of the SCED studies met the WWC Standards. The description of procedures was complete for 50% of the behavioral assessments and for 11% of the FCT. The overall evidence for ecological validity was moderate for 16.7% and low for 83.3% of the behavioral assessments. The evidence for ecological validity for all FCT procedures was low. Future research and implications related to ecological validity are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed at preliminarily assessing, in a cohort of non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, the ecological validity, and more specifically the veridicality, of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) and the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS™), by relating their scores to caregiver-report ratings of cognitive changes. Methods: N = 147 patient-caregiver dyads were recruited. Patients were administered the ECAS and ALS-CBS™, whilst caregiver the Caregiver Behavioral Questionnaire (CBQ) and Beaumont Behavioural Inventory (BBI). An Ecological Cognitive Functioning Index (ECFI) was derived from those items of the CBQ and BBI that tap on executive and language changes. Ecological validity was assessed via both correlational and predictive analyses net of caregiver-rated behavioural changes (as assessed by the ECAS-Carer Interview). Results: The ECFI was associated with the total scores on both the ECAS (p =.014) and ALS-CBS™ (p =.017). When looking at ECAS and ALS-CBS™ subscales, those assessing verbal fluency were selectively associated with the ECFI. The ECFI was higher in patients performing defectively on the ECAS (p =.004) and on the ALS-CBS™ (p =.027). Discussion: This study suggests that both the ECAS and the ALS-CBS™ represent a valid estimate of non-demented ALS patients' cognitive status in the real world, also highlighting the clinical relevance of cognitive changes reported by caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all of our everyday activities depend on executive function (EF) skills. In line with the increasing attention to the ecological validation of neuropsychological assessment and intervention methods, this study aimed to explore the ecological validity of a relevant set of widely used EF tests, mostly from well-known paradigms of EF assessment, in predicting driving ability. Ninety-six healthy novice drivers (Mage = 26.2 years, SD = 8.4; 48 female) completed four stages of our data collection including psychological, EF, and driving assessments. For the psychological assessment, validated measures of sensation-seeking, risk-taking, personality traits, ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and stress were administered. For the EF assessment, selected tests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS: Trail Making, Design Fluency, and Tower) and the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS: Key Search, Zoo Map, and Modified Six Elements) along with a computerized Stroop test were administered. For the driving assessment, we used a simulated driving test comprising of 14 key dimensions of driving skills. Several correlations and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Significant correlations were found between all the EF measures and driving performance. Moreover, the EF measures predicted the driving ability over and above the effects of previous driving experience and the psychological variables. These results provide supporting evidence for the ecological validity of the EF tests in predicting driving performance. The incorporation of assessment and intervention targeting multiple domains of EF into driving rehabilitation and education programs could be a focus of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Reading is a fundamental cognitive activity that is influenced by both textual and external environmental factors, although the latter has been less thoroughly explored. This study aims to examine the impact of environmental visual conditions on reading performance using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Methods: We conducted two experiments to assess the effects of visual contrast and simulated weather conditions on reading dynamics. In Experiment 1, we measured single-word recognition speed using a lexical decision task under different visual contrasts and weather conditions. In Experiment 2, we assessed reading dynamics during a sentence reading task, analyzing how visual contrast and simulated sunny versus rainy weather conditions affected reading behavior, particularly focusing on reading speed and eye fixations. Results: In Experiment 1, high visual contrast, particularly under sunny conditions, significantly enhanced single-word recognition speed, indicating a notable influence of environmental visual conditions. In Experiment 2, visual contrast had minimal effect on sentence reading; however, sunny weather facilitated faster reading times, while rainy scenarios increased the number of eye fixations. Discussion: These findings suggest that environmental factors, such as weather conditions, can significantly affect reading behavior. The study contributes to the understanding of key environmental influences on reading in everyday life contexts and has implications for the ergonomic design of reading materials, especially for outdoor settings and VR environments. Additionally, the integration of controlled stimuli within VR increases the ecological validity of reading research, underscoring the potential of VR as a powerful tool for cognitive research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces the translation and validation of the Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI) into English, aiming to provide an ecologically valid tool for assessing prefrontal symptoms in English‐speaking populations in the United States. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in executive functions and other higher‐order cognitive processes, with dysfunctions in this area associated with various cognitive, emotional and behavioural changes. Despite the existence of established tools like the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX), the PSI addresses limitations found in the literature, presenting a novel ecologically valid tool for assessing prefrontal symptoms. The current study, involving 226 English‐speaking participants, lays a foundational step for validating the PSI for use in a new population. Semi‐confirmatory factorial analysis revealed a unidimensional structure, mirroring the Spanish version with robust fit indicators. Additionally, in assessing convergent validity, the abbreviated version (PSI‐20) exhibited high correlations with DEX scores and moderate correlations with Psychological Stress Scale and General Health Questionnaire‐12 scores. These findings align with previous reports, supporting the PSI‐20's measurement of similar constructs related to prefrontal cortex activity and mental health components. The results of this study overall highlight the PSI's potential contribution to advancing prefrontal symptom evaluation in clinical and non‐clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Think/No‐Think (T/NT) task was designed to test whether the deliberate avoidance of retrieving a memory (i.e., suppression) hinders the subsequent recall of that memory. Forgetting effects obtained with the T/NT‐task (Suppression‐Induced Forgetting) are thought to result from memory inhibition: the deactivation of the representation of the to‐be‐suppressed memory. Memory inhibition can be specifically inferred from decreased performance on a test using Independent Probes—cues that are unrelated to the initial study phase in the T/NT‐procedure. The present contribution explores the evidence for the idea that Suppression‐Induced Forgetting obtained with such Independent Probes may provide a viable model for repression. A review of the literature on Suppression‐Induced Forgetting with Independent Probes (SIF‐IP) suggests that reliable estimates of the overall effect size are unavailable, that the extent to which the literature suffers from publication bias is unknown and that reporting bias may obstruct a clear view of the percentage of studies that find a statistically significant effect. In addition, it is difficult to study SIF‐IP in autobiographical memories, due to their complexity and idiosyncrasy. All in all, it seems questionable whether suppression‐induced forgetting obtained with independent probes provides a viable model of repression. The Think/No‐Think (T/NT) task (Anderson & Green, 2001) examines whether intentional suppression of memory retrieval hampers subsequent recall, known as Suppression‐Induced Forgetting (SIF). Initially, the T/NT task was proposed as an experimental analogue for repressed memory, particularly when examining SIF with Independent Probes (unrelated cues). However, the present paper argues that the literature on SIF with Independent Probes lacks reliable effect size estimates, may suffer from publication and reporting bias, and faces challenges in studying autobiographical memories, casting doubt on its viability as a model for repression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creative ideation constitutes an important human skill to develop innovative solutions in science and technology and to overcome daily challenges. Although creative ideation takes place in everyday life situations, the moment-to-moment dynamics of creative ideation performance has not been intensively investigated so far. Fortunately, well-developed methods exist to assess creative ideation performance in controlled settings that can be adopted for assessments in real-life contexts. In the present field-study, a novel Ambulatory Battery of Creativity (ABC) was applied to a sample of 77 participants for 5 days. Each day, participants had to complete 12 randomly presented items of two divergent thinking tasks—half in the verbal and half in the figural domain. Psychometric analyses indicated good between-person (≥.84) and within-person (≥.70) reliability. Furthermore, between-person and within-person validity evidence of the ABC was obtained. This study constitutes a first attempt to develop a reliable and valid ABC to measure both individual differences and moment-to-moment fluctuations of creative ideation performance in everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The trauma film paradigm (TFP) is the gold standard experimental psychopathology model of psychological trauma. However, different film clips with distinct effects on trauma-analogue symptoms are used across TFP studies, raising questions about the generalizability of study-specific results and the ecological validity of the TFP. Little is known about differences among film clips commonly used in the TFP regarding key features of psychological trauma (i.e., threat and anxiety) and their veridicality. Methods: Thirty healthy participants watched eight trauma film clips in randomized order and subsequently rated each in view of perceived threat, anxiety, and realism. In addition to descriptive statistics, variance analyses and pairwise comparisons were performed to test for differences on these outcomes. Results: The results indicated significant differences among the trauma film clips in terms of perceived threat and realism. However, nearly all trauma film clips evoked moderate anxiety levels. Conclusions: This study stressed the importance of perceived threat as a key feature in selecting film clips for the TFP, as highly threatening film clips were also perceived as more realistic. When replicated using delayed outcomes (e.g., intrusive memories), choosing trauma film clips in view of their perceived threat might improve the ecological validity of the TFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on brain function in natural environments has become a new interest in cognitive science. In this study, we aim to advance mobile electroencephalography (EEG) participant and device mobility. We investigated the feasibility of measuring human brain activity using mobile EEG during a full-body motion task as swimming, by the example of cognitive-motor interference (CMI). Eleven participants were given an auditory oddball task while sitting and swimming, with mobile EEG recording ongoing brain activity. Measures of interest were event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by experimental stimuli. While the auditory N100 was measured to verify signal quality, the P300 to task-relevant stimuli served as a marker of CMI effects. Analyzes were first performed within subjects, while binomial tests assessed the proportion of significant effects. Event-related changes in the time-frequency domain around turns during swimming were analyzed in an exploratory fashion. The successful recording of the N100 in all conditions shows that the setup was functional throughout the experiment. Regarding CMI, we did not find reliable changes in P300 amplitude in different motor settings in all subjects. However, we found plausible modulations in the alpha/mu and beta bands before and after turns. This study shows that it is generally feasible to measure mobile EEG in the time and time-frequency domain in an aquatic environment while subjects are freely moving. We see promising potential in the use of mobile EEG in extreme settings, advancing toward the application of mobile EEG in more real-life situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Executive functions are important factors that affect the well-being of children with ADHD. Therefore, inclusion of a convenient assessment of executive dysfunction in diagnosis and treatment of ADHD patients is warranted. However, executive dysfunction assessment presently relies on labbased neuropsychological tests and symptom rating scales. The present study examined the potential of a 3-D action puzzle video game to reflect ecologically valid executive functioning in pediatric ADHD patients. Methods: Participant gameplay metrics were compared to both their Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and Conners 3 Parent Form's executive functioning subscale scores. Participants consisted of 33 ADHD and non-ADHD patients aged 8-21. Results: Metrics from gameplay were associated with distinct CANTAB test scores, and a composite score from gameplay was significantly correlated with executive dysfunction from Conners 3. Conclusion: For children with ADHD, cognitive domains related to executive function and overall real-life executive functioning appear to both be measurable via video games. It may be possible to develop individualized behavioral therapy based on the quantitative data obtained from the video game used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stagnation in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treatment‐resistant depression has encouraged continued interest in improving preclinical methods. One tactic prioritizes the reverse translation of behavioral tasks developed to objectively quantify depressive phenotypes in patient populations for their use in laboratory animals via touchscreen technology. After cross‐species concordance in task outcomes under healthy conditions is confirmed, construct validity can be further enhanced by identifying environmental stressors that reliably produce deficits in task performance that resemble those in depressive participants. The present studies characterized in male rats the ability of two chronic ecologically relevant stressors, inescapable ice water or isolated restraint, to produce depressive‐like behavioral phenotypes in the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT) and Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). These tasks previously have been reverse‐translated using touchscreen technology for rodents and nonhuman primates to objectively quantify, respectively, reward responsivity (anhedonia) and attentional processes (impaired cognitive function), each of which are core features of major depressive disorder. In the PRT, both inescapable ice water and isolated restraint produced persistent anhedonic phenotypes compared to non‐stressed control performance (i.e., significantly blunted response bias for the richly rewarded stimulus). In the PVT, both chronic stressors impaired attentional processing, revealed by increases in titrated reaction times; however, these deficits largely subsided by the end of the chronic condition. Taken together, these findings confirm the ability of reverse‐translated touchscreen tasks to effectively generate behavioral phenotypes that exhibit expected deficits in performance outcomes following exposure to chronic ecologically relevant stress. In turn, this approach is well positioned to appraise the ability of candidate therapeutics to attenuate or reverse such behavioral deficits and, thereby, contribute to preclinical medications development for treatment‐resistant depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous performance tasks (CPT) such as the traditionally formatted task (TFT) and the sustained attention to response task (SART) have been used extensively in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) research due to their function in assessing symptoms of sustained attention and inhibition via several metrics (e.g. Task performances, reaction times, and brain activity). These tasks, however, poorly reflect daily tasks. This weakens the generality of identified behaviors and their associated metrics. Hence, to further investigate these metrics and to improve the ecological validity of these tasks, the SART and TFT were conducted in a virtual reality (VR) environment with 17 healthy individuals (Mean age: 21.86; SD: 2.061; 11 Males and 6 Females) and 16 people with ADHD traits (Mean age: 23.69; SD: 3.386; 9 Males and 7 Females). Results expressed poorer task performances, increased reaction times, and increased reaction time variabilities in the ADHD group for both tasks, though to an insignificant degree. These results suggest that introducing elements that improve the ecological validity of the TFT and SART via VR (E.g. Lifelike scenarios, interactive environments, distractors) reduce the tasks' demands for the executive functions of sustained attention and inhibition, though further investigation is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A prevalent challenge in neuropsychological assessment, particularly when utilizing instruments designed for controlled laboratory environments, is that the outcomes may not correspond to an individual’s real-life status. Accordingly, assessments of visuospatial working memory (VSWM) conducted in such settings might fail to capture certain facets of this function, as it operates in real life. On the other hand, entirely ecological assessments may risk compromising internal validity. This study aimed to develop an intermediate mode of assessment that measures VSWM in older adults by employing a setting, a task, and a response format that aligns closely with both laboratory and ecological assessments. Furthermore, a preliminary investigation was carried out to study the variations in spatial cognition among different demographic groups. Methods In a two-session study, 77 healthy older adults, eight patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and seven patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were recruited to complete the wayfinding questionnaire (WQ), the Corsi block-tapping task (CBTT), and the Spatial Memory Table (SMT). The SMT is a novel instrument developed specifically for this study, aiming to provide a more accurate measure of VSWM performance in older adults’ everyday life. Test-retest and split-half reliabilities, as well as the face, content, concurrent, convergent, and known-groups validities, were analyzed to investigate the psychometric properties of the SMT. Results The analyses were mainly centered on studying the psychometric properties of the SMT. Test-retest reliability (r = .753, p

ABSTRACT The behaviour of dogs holds great relevance for not only scientists from fundamental and applied research areas, but also due to the widespread roles of dogs in our societies as companions and working animals; their behaviour is also an important factor in animal and human welfare. A large proportion of dogs currently under human supervision belong to one of roughly 400 recognised breeds. Dog breeds can be characterised by distinctive, predictable and reproducible features, including some of their behavioural traits. To the scientist, the comparative analysis of the behaviour of dog breeds provides an opportunity for investigating an array of intriguing phenomena within an easily accessible model organism created from natural and human‐driven evolutionary processes. There are many ways to design and conduct breed‐related behavioural investigations, but such endeavours should always be based around biologically relevant research questions and lead to ecologically valid conclusions. In this review, we surveyed recent research efforts that included dog behaviour‐related comparisons and applied a critical evaluation according to their methods of breed choice and the subsequent research design. Our aim was to assess whether these two fundamentally important components of experimental design provide a solid basis to reach valid conclusions. Based on 97 publications that fulfilled our selection criteria, we identified three primary methods used by researchers to select breeds for their investigations: (i) convenience sampling; (ii) hypothesis‐driven, ancestry‐based sampling; and (iii) hypothesis‐driven, functional sampling. By using the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) evaluation system, we highlight each of these techniques' merits and shortcomings. We identify when particular methods may be inherently unable to produce biologically meaningful results due to a mismatch between breed choice and the initial research goals. We hope that our evaluation will help researchers adopt best practices in experimental design regarding future dog breed comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory research in the psychology of witness testimony is often criticized for its lack of ecological validity, including the use of unrealistic artificial stimuli to test memory performance. The purpose of our study is to present a method that can provide an intermediary between laboratory research and field studies or naturalistic experiments that are difficult to control and administer. It uses Video-360° technology and virtual reality (VR) equipment, which cuts subjects off from external stimuli and gives them control over the visual field. This can potentially increase the realism of the eyewitness's experience. To test the method, we conducted an experiment comparing the immersion effect, emotional response, and memory performance between subjects who watched a video presenting a mock crime on a head-mounted display (VR goggles; n = 57) and a screen (n = 50). The results suggest that, compared to those who watched the video on a screen, the VR group had a deeper sense of immersion, that is, of being part of the scene presented. At the same time, they were not distracted or cognitively overloaded by the more complex virtual environment, and remembered just as much detail about the crime as those viewing it on the screen. Additionally, we noted significant differences between subjects in ratings of emotions felt during the video. This may suggest that the two formats evoke different types of discrete emotions. Overall, the results confirm the usefulness of the proposed method in witness research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assessed the ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0) with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and explored the internal consistency and convergent validity of a momentary food addiction scale. Method: Adults (N = 49) who met criteria for binge-eating disorder and/or food addiction (age = 34.9 ± 12.1 years; 77.1% cisgender female; 55.1% non-Hispanic White) completed online questionnaires and a 10-day EMA protocol. Analyses examined (a) associations between the YFAS 2.0 and EMA-measured variables corresponding to food addiction criteria, (b) reliability of a momentary food addiction scale (EMA-FA), and (c) concurrent associations between EMA-FA and EMA-measured negative affect, impulsivity, eating expectancies, body satisfaction, consumption of palatable food, and taste response to palatable food. Results: YFAS scores were associated with EMA-reported variables corresponding to food addiction criteria (ps <.045). The multilevel reliability for EMA-FA was adequate (ω =.75–.94). Individuals with higher EMA-FA scores reported greater negative affect, impulsivity, appetite, palatable food consumption, taste response to palatable food, and contrary to expectations, greater body satisfaction (ps <.01). Within-person effects emerged for EMA-FA predicting higher negative affect, impulsivity, likelihood of palatable food consumption, more pleasurable taste responses after consuming palatable foods, yet lower body satisfaction, appetite, and eating expectancies (ps <.01). Conclusions: Results support the ecological validity of the YFAS 2.0, and additional evidence of convergent validity and internal consistency was demonstrated for a momentary food addiction scale. This assessment of the psychometric properties of the YFAS will ultimately further its utility and relevance in the study and diagnosis of food addiction. Public Health Significance Statement: By examining the ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), this study contributes to the growing body of literature on food addiction, a condition that has been linked to binge eating, psychosocial impairment, as well as obesity, a continually rising public health problem (Gearhardt et al., 2011, 2012). This topic is especially important given that obesity and dysregulated eating behaviors such as binge eating disproportionately affect those with food insecurity and individuals of lower socioeconomic status (Christensen et al., 2021). Further, by evaluating the psychometric properties of YFAS 2.0, this study provided further support for the YFAS 2.0 to be used more broadly in clinical settings to detect symptoms of food addiction in these disadvantaged populations. Finally, this study recruited a diverse sample, and we were able to explore eating behaviors that are prevalent in racial minorities and women, both subsets of people that persistently experienced social disadvantage, discrimination, and health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participation in complex listening situations such as group conversations in noisy environments sets high demands on the auditory system and on cognitive processing. Reports of hearing-impaired people indicate that strenuous listening situations occurring throughout the day lead to feelings of fatigue at the end of the day. The aim of the present study was to develop a suitable test sequence to evoke and measure listening effort (LE) and listening-related fatigue (LRF), and, to evaluate the influence of hearing aid use on both dimensions in mild to moderately hearing-impaired participants. The chosen approach aims to reconstruct a representative acoustic day (Time Compressed Acoustic Day [TCAD]) by means of an eight-part hearing-test sequence with a total duration of approximately 2½ h. For this purpose, the hearing test sequence combined four different listening tasks with five different acoustic scenarios and was presented to the 20 test subjects using virtual acoustics in an open field measurement in aided and unaided conditions. Besides subjective ratings of LE and LRF, behavioral measures (response accuracy, reaction times), and an attention test (d2-R) were performed prior to and after the TCAD. Furthermore, stress hormones were evaluated by taking salivary samples. Subjective ratings of LRF increased throughout the test sequence. This effect was observed to be higher when testing unaided. In three of the eight listening tests, the aided condition led to significantly faster reaction times/response accuracies than in the unaided condition. In the d2-R test, an interaction in processing speed between time (pre- vs. post-TCAD) and provision (unaided vs. aided) was found suggesting an influence of hearing aid provision on LRF. A comparison of the averaged subjective ratings at the beginning and end of the TCAD shows a significant increase in LRF for both conditions. At the end of the TCAD, subjective fatigue was significantly lower when wearing hearing aids. The analysis of stress hormones did not reveal significant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls are considered a significant cause of disability, pain, and premature deaths in older adults, often due to sedentary lifestyles and various risk factors. Combining immersive virtual reality (IVR) with physical exercise, or exergames, enhances motivation and personalizes training, effectively preventing falls by improving strength and balance in older people. IVR technology may increase the ecological validity of the assessments. The main goal of our study was to assess the feasibility of using a KAVE-based VR platform combining simulations of Levadas and a cable car to perform a balanced assessment and profiling of the older adult population for high risk of falls and the related user experience. A VR-based platform using a Wii balance board and a CAVE was developed to assess balance and physical fitness. Validated by the Biodex Balance System (BBS), 25 older adults participated in this study. The usability and presence were measured through the System Usability Scale and ITC-SOPI questionnaires, respectively. The IVR system showed a high presence and a good usability score of 75. Significant effects were found in the maximum excursion of the centre of pressure (COP) on the anterior–posterior axis during the cable car simulation (CCS), correlating with BBS metrics. Multiple discriminative analysis models and the support vector machine classified fall risk with moderate to high accuracy, precision, and recall. The system accurately identified all high-risk participants using the leave-one-out method. This study suggests that an IVR-based platform based on simulations with high ecological validity can be used to assess physical fitness and identify individuals at a higher risk of falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ecological validity associated with usability testing of health information technologies (HITs) can affect test results and the predictability of real-world performance. It is, therefore, necessary to identify conditions with the greatest effect on validity. Method: We conducted a comparative analysis of two usability testing conditions. We tested a HIT designed for anesthesiologists to detect pain signals and compared two fidelity levels of ecological validity. We measured the difference in the number and type of use errors identified between high and low-fidelity experimental conditions. Results: We identified the same error types in both test conditions, although the number of errors varied as a function of the condition. The difference in total error counts was relatively modest and not consistent across levels of severity. Conclusions: Increasing ecological validity does not invariably increase the ability to detect use errors. Our findings suggest that low-fidelity tests are an efficient way to identify and mitigate usability issues affecting ease of use, effectiveness, and safety. We believe early low-fidelity testing is an efficient but underused way to maximize the value of usability testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Sweden, treatment for children with (developmental) language disorder ((D)LD) is traditionally carried out at a speech-language pathology (SLP) clinic, and based on formal language tests, which may not entirely represent the child’s everyday language and communication skills. SLP services that include video recordings have shown positive outcomes in terms of providing information about children’s linguistic and communicative abilities in everyday life, but little is known about the use of video in clinical practice. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate how Swedish SLPs link their clinical practices (assessment, treatment, and evaluation of treatment outcome) to the everyday language and communication abilities of children with (D)LD. A further aim is to explore SLPs’ utilisation of video recordings as a part of their clinical practices with the target group. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to SLPs in Sweden, who work with children with (D)LD. Results demonstrate that Swedish SLPs perceive that their intervention is in alignment with children’s everyday language and communication needs to a fairly high degree. However, an exception is assessment, which is considered to have a weaker alignment with children’s everyday communication abilities. The use of video recordings for clinical purposes is very limited. It is suggested here that incorporating video recordings from children’s everyday life would be an easy and time-efficient way to strengthen the ecological validity of SLP practices for children with (D)LD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aims to extend current knowledge about the possibilities and challenges encountered by Swedish speech and language pathologists (SLPs) in targeting everyday language and communication in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). To explore this matter, unstructured focus groups were conducted where 15 SLPs, working with children with DLD, shared their views on the alignment between their clinical practices and children’s everyday lives. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, which resulted in five themes: It’s everyday life that matters; As an SLP, you’re not a part of the child’s everyday life; How do we merge the different worlds?; Resources at home vary, and The employer sets the framework for clinical practices. The SLPs stressed the importance of targeting everyday skills and needs, but they experienced themselves as being detached from the children’s daily context. Collaboration with caregivers and (pre)school staff was emphasised; however, the resources and capacity of the caregivers and staff varied, and this was experienced as a challenge for providing the most appropriate care. Some children and their families were situated in a multifaceted context and needed more extensive care, and this group was described as increasing. However, the services that the SLPs were able to offer varied and were largely regulated by organisational constraints. Individualised services are crucial for ensuring a positive development for children with DLD and for empowering caregivers to be effective collaborative partners in intervention. Therefore, it is essential for SLPs to have the time and resources to ensure high-quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A prevalent challenge in neuropsychological assessment, particularly when utilizing instruments designed for controlled laboratory environments, is that the outcomes may not correspond to an individual's real-life status. Accordingly, assessments of visuospatial working memory (VSWM) conducted in such settings might fail to capture certain facets of this function, as it operates in real life. On the other hand, entirely ecological assessments may risk compromising internal validity. This study aimed to develop an intermediate mode of assessment that measures VSWM in older adults by employing a setting, a task, and a response format that aligns closely with both laboratory and ecological assessments. Furthermore, a preliminary investigation was carried out to study the variations in spatial cognition among different demographic groups. Methods: In a two-session study, 77 healthy older adults, eight patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and seven patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were recruited to complete the wayfinding questionnaire (WQ), the Corsi block-tapping task (CBTT), and the Spatial Memory Table (SMT). The SMT is a novel instrument developed specifically for this study, aiming to provide a more accurate measure of VSWM performance in older adults' everyday life. Test-retest and split-half reliabilities, as well as the face, content, concurrent, convergent, and known-groups validities, were analyzed to investigate the psychometric properties of the SMT. Results: The analyses were mainly centered on studying the psychometric properties of the SMT. Test-retest reliability (r =.753, p <.001) and split-half reliability (ρSC = 0.747) were found to be acceptable. Concurrent validity using CBTT (r =.264, p =.021), convergent validity using WQ subscales (navigation and orientation: r =.282, p =.014; distance estimation: r =.261, p =.024), and known-groups validity using the SMT scores among people with MCI and AD (χ2 = 35.194, df = 2, p <.001) were also indicative of the instrument's good validity. Data analysis also revealed acceptable levels of face validity (U = 4.50; p =.095) and content validity (CVR ≥ 0.60). As a result of comparing VSWM and wayfinding variables across genders and education levels, a significant difference was observed for navigation and orientation and spatial anxiety between women and men (p <.05). None of the variables were different among education levels. Conclusion: The SMT was found to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring VSWM performance in older adults. Given these findings, the SMT can be regarded as a measure that sufficiently approximates both laboratory and real-life demands for VSWM. Additionally, the instrument demonstrated a preliminary acceptable capacity to differentiate between healthy individuals and those with MCI and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of gait and its neuronal correlates under more ecologically valid conditions as well as real-time feedback visualization is becoming increasingly important in neuro-motor rehabilitation research. The Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) offers advanced opportunities for gait and gait-related research by creating more naturalistic yet controlled environments through immersive virtual reality. Investigating the neuronal aspects of gait requires parallel recording of brain activity, such as through mobile electroencephalography (EEG) and/or mobile functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which must be synchronized with the kinetic and /or kinematic data recorded while walking. This proof-of-concept study outlines the required setup by use of the lab streaming layer (LSL) ecosystem for real-time, simultaneous data collection of two independently operating multi-channel EEG and fNIRS measurement devices and gait kinetics. In this context, a customized approach using a photodiode to synchronize the systems is described. This study demonstrates the achievable temporal accuracy of synchronous data acquisition of neurophysiological and kinematic and kinetic data collection in the GRAIL. By using event-related cerebral hemodynamic activity and visually evoked potentials during a start-to-go task and a checkerboard test, we were able to confirm that our measurement system can replicate known physiological phenomena with latencies in the millisecond range and relate neurophysiological and kinetic data to each other with sufficient accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of easily accessible and usable social and cognitive enhancement trainings is becoming a priority to reduce the impact of aging on quality of life. Since most activities of daily living (e.g., making a meal) require problem-solving skills, problem-solving interventions could be used to improve and/or maintain functional abilities in aging to prolong independence. To design an effective problem-solving training and increase older adults' adherence to the training, this study examined older adults' perceptions of their challenges in activities of daily living, their skills and difficulties in using information technology (IT), and their motivations and expectations for participating in a web-based problem-solving training activity. Four focus groups (two in Italy and two in the Netherlands) were conducted with older adults aged between 65 and 84 years, a total of 27 participants. The data were analyzed using the Atlas.ti 8 software for the thematic analysis. The analysis identified five thematic areas: interests and activities, difficulties and concerns, experiences and motivations for training, expertise and resources, suggestions for the design of the new training. The results were used to develop a first prototype of a Shared, Web-based, Intelligent Flexible Thinking Training (SWIFT), adapted to future user needs. The participation of older adults in this design phase was critical to understanding their needs, motivations, and expectations regarding the implementation and use of a cognitive enhancement training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood and adolescence are pivotal periods for cognitive development. Executive functions are crucial for efficient cognitive functioning, so accurate assessment is important. One ecologically-valid virtual reality test is the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions for Children (JEF-C©). In a cross-sectional study, we aimed at translating, adapting and validating JEF-C into Persian, and at investigating whether this Persian version (JEF-C (P)) can identify stages of development of executive functions in children aged from 8 to 16. Children and adolescents (N = 146) falling into three age groups participated: 8–10, 11–13 and 14–16 years old. They completed JEF-C (P) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). There were acceptable Cronbach's alpha coefficients for JEF-C(P) total score (α =.72) and all constructs, except action-based prospective memory, had a positive impact on total internal consistency. There was an effect of age group on overall JEF-C (P) performance and of age on four constructs. There was also a correlation between the number of categories on WCST and the prioritization construct of JEF-C (P). It seems that JEF-C (P) is an ecologically valid executive function assessment sensitive to age and could be useful for both researchers and clinicians working with children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author conducted weekly online group psychokinesis (PK) experiments between Aug. 9, 2019 and Feb. 25, 2023, with the goal of experiencing collective PK. Participant observation experiments were designed to uncover variables associated with group PK experiences rather than prove the existence of PK. Early experiments seemed to increase individual propensity for spontaneous anomalous experience. The group began attempting to influence pinwheel turning on June 12, 2020. Direct observation seemed to reduce pinwheel turning. Certain conversational elements, such as emotion and discussion of psychical research, seemed to enhance turning. A motionactivated Blink camera was incorporated into the protocol on November 8, 2021, allowing documentation of 44 pinwheel experiments. Experiences involved ostensible anomalous pinwheel turning, equipment failures, poltergeist-like events, and trickster effects. Quantitative results included: (1) Significantly more pinwheel turning, as measured by camera activations, during group meetings compared to equivalent nongroup periods; (2) Certain discussion topics were associated with rapid turning: occult traditions, psychic readings, psychical research; and (3) Other variables were associated with reduced turning: direct observation, relaxation exercise, miscellaneous discussion topics. Participants felt that the pinwheels exhibited a form of intelligence due to the pinwheel response to group discussion. Trickster effects included turning patterns that changed over time, unusual equipment failures, and 'hiding' behavior thwarting full verification. These features suggest that the replicability of findings may be limited, although a series of methodological guidelines are suggested to increase success. Grounded theory strategies allow theory development, and a new model is proposed to account for the phenomena in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While previous research has investigated the effects of emotional videos on peripheral physiological measures and conscious experience, this study extends the research to include electrocortical measures, specifically the steady‐state visual‐evoked potential (ssVEP). A carefully curated set of 45 videos, designed to represent a wide range of emotional and neutral content, were presented with a flickering border. The videos featured a continuous single‐shot perspective, natural soundtrack, and excluded elements associated with professional films, to enhance realism. The results demonstrate a consistent reduction in ssVEP amplitude during emotional videos which strongly correlates with the rated emotional intensity of the clips. This suggests that narrative audiovisual stimuli have the potential to track dynamic emotional processing in the cortex, providing new avenues for research in affective neuroscience. The findings highlight the potential of using realistic video stimuli to investigate how the human brain processes emotional events in a paradigm that increases ecological validity. Future studies can further develop this paradigm by expanding the video set, targeting specific cortical networks, and manipulating narrative predictability. Overall, this study establishes a foundation for investigating emotional perception using realistic video stimuli and has the potential to expand our understanding of real‐world emotional processing in the human brain. Affective neuroscience research depends on the ability to evoke states of emotion that are comparable to real‐life situations. Here we demonstrate a novel laboratory paradigm in which electrocortical effects can be estimated during naturalistic emotional multimodal video perception. Realistic video stimuli may enable research questions regarding dynamic emotional processes to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the reliability of a virtual reality-simulated classroom to generate a comparable self-perception of voice quality and acoustic effects of phonation to a real classroom in a group of teachers, and sense of presence. Thirty university professors participated in the study and were required to produce loud connected speech by reading a 100-word text in two conditions: (1) in a real classroom including a group of students, and (2) in a virtual replica of the classroom consisting of a 360-degree video of the same classroom and students, which was displayed using a head mounted display. Ambient noise was controlled in both conditions by playing classroom noise through headphones. The self-perception of voice quality, the long-term average spectrum and smooth cepstral peak prominence were estimated in both conditions. The sense of presence generated by virtual reality was measured after interacting with the virtual classroom. There were no statistically significant differences in the self-perception of voice quality or in the acoustic measures of voice production between conditions. The sense of presence in the virtual classroom was high. Our findings suggest that a virtual reality-simulated classroom generate comparable self-perception of voice quality and acoustic effects of phonation to the real classroom, and a high sense of presence, in a group of teachers. Additionally, it is important to highlight the potential of virtual reality to enhance the ecological validity of acoustic assessment of voice production in laboratories and clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade has seen substantial advances in the capacity to record behaviour and neural activity in humans in real-world settings, to simulate real-world situations in laboratory settings and to apply sophisticated analyses to large-scale data. Along with these developments, a growing number of groups has begun to advocate for real-world neuroscience and cognitive science. Here, we review the arguments and the available methods for real-world research and outline an overarching framework that embeds key ideas proposed in the literature integrating them into a cyclic process of ‘bringing the lab to the real world’ (recording behavioural and neural activity in real-world settings) and ‘bringing the real-world to the lab’ (manipulating the environments in which behaviours occur in the laboratory) that combines exploratory and confirmatory research and is interdisciplinary (including those sciences concerned with the natural, built or virtual environment). We highlight the benefits brought by this framework emphasizing the greater potential for novel discovery, theory development and human-centred applications to the environment.

IntroductionReading is a fundamental cognitive activity that is influenced by both textual and external environmental factors, although the latter has been less thoroughly explored. This study aims to examine the impact of environmental visual conditions on reading performance using Virtual Reality (VR) technology.MethodsWe conducted two experiments to assess the effects of visual contrast and simulated weather conditions on reading dynamics. In Experiment 1, we measured single-word recognition speed using a lexical decision task under different visual contrasts and weather conditions. In Experiment 2, we assessed reading dynamics during a sentence reading task, analyzing how visual contrast and simulated sunny versus rainy weather conditions affected reading behavior, particularly focusing on reading speed and eye fixations.ResultsIn Experiment 1, high visual contrast, particularly under sunny conditions, significantly enhanced single-word recognition speed, indicating a notable influence of environmental visual conditions. In Experiment 2, visual contrast had minimal effect on sentence reading; however, sunny weather facilitated faster reading times, while rainy scenarios increased the number of eye fixations.DiscussionThese findings suggest that environmental factors, such as weather conditions, can significantly affect reading behavior. The study contributes to the understanding of key environmental influences on reading in everyday life contexts and has implications for the ergonomic design of reading materials, especially for outdoor settings and VR environments. Additionally, the integration of controlled stimuli within VR increases the ecological validity of reading research, underscoring the potential of VR as a powerful tool for cognitive research.

Replicated evidence shows a weak or non-significant correlation between different methods of evaluating executive functions (EF). The current study investigates the association between rating scales and cognitive tests of EF in a sample of children with ADHD and executive dysfunction.

Abstract A popular technique to modulate visual input during search is to use gaze-contingent windows. However, these are often rather discomforting, providing the impression of visual impairment. To counteract this, we asked participants in this study to search through illuminated as well as dark three-dimensional scenes using a more naturalistic flashlight with which they could illuminate the rooms. In a surprise incidental memory task, we tested the identities and locations of objects encountered during search. Importantly, we tested this study design in both immersive virtual reality (VR; Experiment 1) and on a desktop-computer screen (Experiment 2). As hypothesized, searching with a flashlight increased search difficulty and memory usage during search. We found a memory benefit for identities of distractors in the flashlight condition in VR but not in the computer screen experiment. Surprisingly, location memory was comparable across search conditions despite the enormous difference in visual input. Subtle differences across experiments only appeared in VR after accounting for previous recognition performance, hinting at a benefit of flashlight search in VR. Our findings highlight that removing visual information does not necessarily impair location memory, and that screen experiments using virtual environments can elicit the same major effects as VR setups.

Introduction: The evaluation of memory is a crucial aspect of both cognitive research and clinical applications, as it offers valuable insights into an individual's cognitive wellbeing and performance. Conventional neuropsychological assessments represent the established method for assessing different aspects of memory. Recent technological advancements, specifically in the field of virtual reality (VR), have introduced novel methods for evaluating memory. Objective: This systematic review aims to examine the current state of memory assessment using VR technologies, assessing the degree of convergence and divergence between VR-based memory assessments and conventional neuropsychological tests. Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted searching PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science databases, leading to the incorporation of 24 studies. Studies were grouped according to the examined memory domain (episodic, prospective, spatial domain). Convergence and divergence validity were examined for each, and information on software and hardware features was collected. Results: This review demonstrates a notable alignment between VR-based memory assessments and conventional neuropsychological tests. Moreover, VR tasks have shown to exhibit associations with executive functions and overall cognitive performance. The inclusion of various ecological contexts, such as residential environments, commercial establishments, and simulated scenarios, serves to augment the ecological validity of memory evaluations conducted in VR. Discussion: The findings indicate that VR assessments demonstrate a functional perspective by effectively capturing the dynamic relationship between memory, executive functions, and overall cognitive performance. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge and tackle certain constraints that may hinder the widespread adoption and utilization of VR tasks. These limitations encompass factors such as restricted accessibility to VR tasks and the presence of heterogeneity in VR hardware and software. The dynamic and ever-changing nature of VR technology presents a range of potential avenues for future investigation and utilization in the domain of memory evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem solving encompasses the broad domain of human, goal-directed behaviors. Though we may attempt to measure problem solving using tightly controlled and decontextualized tasks, it is inextricably embedded in both reasoners' experiences and their contexts. Without situating problem solvers, problem contexts, and our own experiential partialities as researchers, we risk intertwining the research of information relevance with our own confirmatory biases about people, environments, and ourselves. We review each of these ecological facets of information relevance in problem solving, and we suggest a framework to guide its measurement. We ground this framework with concrete examples of ecologically valid, culturally relevant measurement of problem solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective methods to improve decision-making in sports officiating, particularly with the current and ongoing issues with in-person training, means new remote training methods must be developed. Traditional training of officials occurs primarily as "in-person coaching" at matches, with supporting training manuals and 2D broadcast analysis. However, live matches present difficulties in implementation, while manuals and 2D broadcast videos may not sufficiently ensure learning transfers to real situations. Due to its ease of use, first-person perspective, and ability to analyze live and post-event remotely, 360° virtual reality video technology (360° VR) offers an alternative technological solution for developing decision-making accuracy for sports officials across multiple sports. This study sought to assess the ecological validity (EV) of using 360° VR technology to enable remote teaching of decision-making. Decision-making quality and accuracy in softball umpires were similar when using 360° VR and the traditional method (2D broadcast footage), but 360° VR received significantly higher EV values than the 2D broadcast videos. In addition, interviewed participants expressed excitement about using 360° VR to augment traditional umpiring manuals and rulebooks. The results show that 360° VR has the potential to enhance or replace traditional remote learning methods for decision-making in softball umpires and allow softball learning to reach a much wider umpire audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Extensive research shows that tests of executive functioning (EF) predict instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) but are nevertheless often criticized for having poor ecological validity. The Modified Six Elements Test (MSET) is a pencil-and-paper test that was developed to mimic the demands of daily life, with the assumption that this would result in a more ecologically valid test. Although the MSET has been extensively validated in its ability to capture cognitive deficits in various populations, support for its ability to predict functioning in daily life is mixed. This study aimed to examine the MSET's ability to predict IADLs assessed via three different modalities relative to traditional EF measures. Method: Participants (93 adults aged 60 – 85) completed the MSET, traditional measures of EF (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System; D-KEFS), and self-reported and performance-based IADLs in the lab. Participants then completed three weeks of IADL tasks at home, using the Daily Assessment of Independent Living and Executive Skills (DAILIES) protocol. Results: The MSET predicted only IADLs completed at home, while the D-KEFS predicted IADLs across all three modalities. Further, the D-KEFS predicted home-based IADLs beyond the MSET when pitted against each other, whereas the MSET did not contribute beyond the D-KEFS. Conclusions: Traditional EF tests (D-KEFS) appear to be superior to the MSET in predicting IADLs in community-dwelling older adults. The present results argue against replacing traditional measures with the MSET when addressing functional independence of generally high-functioning and cognitive healthy older adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The Test of Practical Judgment (TOP-J) is a stand-alone judgment measure that is considered to tap into aspects of executive functioning (EF) and inform clinical predictions of daily functioning in older adults. Past validation research is variable and has some limitations. The present study sought to examine the reliability and construct, criterion, and incremental validities of scores on TOP-J 9-item version (TOP-J/9). Method Participants were 95 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 85. Participants completed TOP-J/9, measures of EF and global cognition, and three different modalities of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (self-report, performance-based tasks conducted in the laboratory, and performance-based tasks completed at home over 3 weeks). Results TOP-J/9 scores showed adequate internal consistency (α = 0.73) after correcting for the low number of items. TOP-J/9 was correlated with global cognition and EF, although EF did not survive correction for lower-order processes. Finally, although TOP-J/9 scores were associated with home-based IADL tasks (but not with self-report and laboratory-based IADLs), providing some evidence of criterion validity, they did not incrementally contribute to home-based IADL performance beyond other cognitive measures. However, when two items pertaining to social/ethical judgment were removed, this modified version of TOP-J did relate to EF beyond lower-order processes and contributed uniquely to prediction of home-based IADLs beyond other measures. Conclusion Results suggest that TOP-J/9 taps into global cognitive status (but not necessarily EF) and predicts "real-world" functioning (but not above and beyond other cognitive measures). TOP-J psychometrics may be improved by removing two social/ethical items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the prevalence of socio-cognitive disturbances, and their important diagnostic/therapeutic implications, the assessment of these disturbances remains scarce. This systematic review aims to identify available social cognition tools for adult assessment that use multimodal and/or dynamic social cues, specifying their strengths and limitations (e.g. from a methodological, psychometric, ecological, and clinical perspective). Method: An electronic search was conducted in Pubmed, PsychINFO, Embase and Scopus databases for articles published up to the 3th of January 2023 and the first 200 Google Scholar results on the same date. The PRISMA methodology was applied, 3884 studies were screened based on title and abstract and 329 full texts were screened. Articles using pseudo-dynamic methodologies (e.g. morphing), reported only subjective or self-reported measures, or investigated only physiological or brain activity responses were excluded. Results: In total, 149 works were included in this review, representing 65 assessment tools (i.e. 48% studying emotion recognition (n = 31), 32% Theory of Mind (n = 21), 5% empathy (n = 3), 1.5% moral cognition/social reasoning (n = 1), and 14% being multimodal (n = 9)). For each study, the tool's main characteristics, psychometric properties, ecological validity indicators and available norms are reported. The tools are presented according to social-cognitive process assessed and communication channels used. Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of validated and standardized tools. A few tools appear to partially meet some clinical needs. The development of methodologies using a first-person paradigm and taking into account the multidimensional nature of social cognition seems a relevant research endeavour for greater ecological validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esports have become increasingly popular as naturalistic experimental settings. In large part, this popularity is due to esports helping researchers balance ecological validity and experimental control; esports provide situations in which people are naturally motivated to learn and act in a complex yet restricted environment. Since players often learn and act collaboratively, many researchers have used esports as a setting in which to study communication. However, most of this research has focused on optimizing team performance or player experience, with less work examining fundamental questions of psycholinguistics. Esports offer unique opportunities in this regard, particularly for studying psycholinguistics in the context of prior knowledge, emergent expertise, and emergent culture. The present paper describes a case study that demonstrates the benefits of using an esport as a microcosm for studying psycholinguistics and points to opportunities for further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates audiogenic epilepsy in Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) rats, questioning the efficacy of conventional EEG techniques in capturing seizures during animal restraint. Using a wireless EEG system that allows unrestricted movement, our aim was to gather ecologically valid data. Nine male KM rats, prone to audiogenic seizures, received implants of wireless EEG transmitters that target specific seizure-related brain regions. These regions included the inferior colliculus (IC), pontine reticular nucleus, oral part (PnO), ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VLPAG), dorsal area of the secondary auditory cortex (AuD), and motor cortex (M1), facilitating seizure observation without movement constraints. Our findings indicate that targeted neural intervention via electrode implantation significantly reduced convulsive seizures in approximately half of the subjects, suggesting therapeutic potential. Furthermore, the amplitude of brain activity in the IC, PnO, and AuD upon audiogenic stimulus onset significantly influenced seizure severity and nature, highlighting these areas as pivotal for epileptic propagation. Severe cases exhibited dual waves of seizure generalization, indicative of intricate neural network interactions. Distinctive interplay between specific brain regions, disrupted during convulsive activity, suggests neural circuit reconfiguration in response to escalating seizure intensity. These discoveries challenge conventional methodologies, opening avenues for novel approaches in epilepsy research and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment can negatively influence daily functioning. Current cognitive measures are essential for diagnosing cognitive impairment, but findings on these tests do not always represent the level of cognitive functioning in daily life. Therefore, this study aimed to design a structured measurement instrument to observe and rate the impact of cognitive impairment in daily life, named the cognition in daily life scale for persons with cognitive problems (CDL). In this paper we describe the development, expected usability, and psychometric properties (content and face validity) of the instrument. The CDL was established through three consecutive development phases: (1) item selection, (2) item categorization and comparison, and (3) item revision and manual construction. Subsequently, a panel of eleven international experts rated the relevance of the selected items and provided comments on the expected usability and face validity. Content validity was estimated with the content validity index, based on which four items were removed. The experts’ comments led to minor adjustments of the manual, domains, and formulation of the maintained items. The final instrument consists of 65 items describing behaviour that relies on cognitive functions within six domains. Future research should focus on evaluating the construct validity and reliability of the CDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's self-regulation is associated with their concurrent and long-term school achievement. Theorists have argued the importance of child–adult interactions in the development of children's self-regulatory skills. However, empirical findings are mixed and have produced small or modest effect sizes, which could be due to the low ecological validity of the self-regulation measures typically used. In this study, an adult-reported scale, the Child Self-Regulation in Interaction Scale (CSIS), was developed to measure preschoolers' behavioral self-regulation in their daily interactions with adults. The psychometric properties of CSIS were also examined. A total of 1015 children and their mothers from multiple regions in China participated in this study. Factor analysis indicated that a three-factor model (namely Inhibition, Updating, and Shifting) was the best fit for the data. The CSIS also had good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and convergent and criterion validity. Additionally, the three-factor model showed satisfactory gender and longitudinal measurement invariance. The results suggest that the CSIS is a reliable and valid instrument. Children's self-regulatory behaviors may vary in different contexts. A context-specific measure of self-regulation may have stronger ecological validity by tapping into context-specific behavioral demands and is thus likely to have greater value and utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]