All posts tagged: interactions

Distinct neural synchrony observed in social interactions involving autistic adults

Distinct neural synchrony observed in social interactions involving autistic adults

Published by José

Adults with autism spectrum disorder prefer to take on a following role rather than leading when engaged in social imitation tasks, according to new research. This preference was accompanied by notable differences in brain activity between individuals with autism and their neurotypical peers during these interactions. The study’s findings, published in the journal Social Neuroscience, shed light on the unique social dynamics experienced by those with autism and underscore the importance of studying these interactions in realistic, dynamic settings. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. People with autism can have challenges with social communication, such as difficulty understanding social cues, engaging in conversation, or interpreting the emotions of others. Autism is described as a “spectrum” because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and abilities; some individuals might require significant support in their daily lives, while others are highly skilled and independent. Despite these challenges, many individuals with autism have strengths in areas such as attention to detail, pattern recognition, and logical thinking. Traditional …

Narcissism linked to aggression in daily social interactions, study finds

Narcissism linked to aggression in daily social interactions, study finds

Published by José

Recent work published in the Journal of Personality found that grandiose narcissism and interpersonal antagonism were linked to increased aggression in real-life interactions, especially when combined with negative emotional states. While studies have shown that narcissistic traits correlate with aggression, traditional research often relies on retrospective self-reports or laboratory settings, which may not capture real-time, situational dynamics. In this work, researchers Tianwei V. Du and colleagues used an experience-sampling method to examine how specific dimensions of narcissism influence aggressive behaviors during everyday interactions. This study recruited 477 undergraduate students from a large public university who received four daily prompts via a mobile application to report on their most intense interactions since the last prompt for a duration of 10 days. At the baseline, narcissistic traits were assessed using the Five Factor Narcissism Inventory Short Form (FFNI-SF), which measures various facets of narcissism, including entitlement, exploitativeness, and self-sufficiency. Participants also completed measures of verbal and physical aggression (e.g., “Since the last prompt… I felt like I wanted to hurt someone; I said something offensive to someone”), …

Can the known particles and interactions explain consciousness?

Can the known particles and interactions explain consciousness?

Published by skeptic

In theory, everything that exists in the physical Universe is dependent only on the same fundamental entities and interactions that we find by splitting matter apart down to the smallest possible scales. Living creatures can be divided into cells; cells themselves are composed of organelles; organelles can be broken down into molecules; molecules are made up of atoms; atoms are comprised of electrons and atomic nuclei; electrons cannot be broken down further, but nuclei themselves consist of quarks and gluons. We should, therefore, be able to take these fundamental constituents of matter — quarks, gluons, and electrons — and assemble them in various ways to explain everything that we encounter in everyday life. But with just these simple building blocks and the four fundamental interactions, is that really possible? Can we explain everything, including conscious human beings? It’s an enormous challenge, for sure. This week’s Ask Ethan inquiry comes from Ottho Heldring, to whom it seems impossible that this could simply be the result of natural conditions with random chance thrown in: “It has always …

Exploring the Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interactions

Exploring the Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interactions

Published by skeptic

In the world of therapeutic interventions, animal-assisted interactions (AAI) have gained prominence as a powerful method for enhancing physical, emotional, and social well-being. Animals, ranging from dogs and cats to horses and even smaller creatures like rabbits and birds, are increasingly recognized not just as pets but as co-facilitators in therapy sessions. Here’s what you need to know about the multifaceted benefits of AAI, how these interactions work, the various settings in which they are applied, and considerations for those interested in incorporating AAI into therapeutic or educational environments. Understanding Animal-Assisted Interactions Animal-assisted interactions encompass a broad range of activities that involve animals as a part of therapeutic or healing processes. These interactions can be structured as animal-assisted therapy (AAT), where specific therapeutic goals are identified, or as more general animal-assisted activities (AAA), which include educational and recreational interactions with animals to improve quality of life. The Therapeutic Benefits of AAI One of the most profound benefits of AAI is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that the presence of animals …

Capture daily interactions with this wide-angle mini body camera, now on sale for .99

Capture daily interactions with this wide-angle mini body camera, now on sale for $37.99

Published by skeptic

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › The evolution of mini-body cameras has come a long way. Technology and practicality have combined to bring forth devices that not only serve as a deterrent to improper conduct but also as a means to capture various situations in their purest form. Cue in the Mini Body Camera Video Recorder, now price-dropped to $37.99 (reg. $45). One of the primary advantages of this mini camera is its portability. Designed to be lightweight and unobtrusive, its compact body, measuring 80x25x10 mm, can be clipped onto clothing, mounted on helmets, or even attached to eyeglasses, allowing the wearer to record hands-free. This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals needing to keep their hands free while recording interactions or events without paying attention to themselves. Video quality is another critical aspect of this mini-body camera. It has ultra HD 1080p and 180-degree wide-angle lens recording capabilities, ensuring every detail is clearly captured. This feature is crucial for evidentiary purposes, where the …

Productive interactions without impact? – Evidence & Policy Blog

Productive interactions without impact? – Evidence & Policy Blog

Published by skeptic

Magnus Gulbrandsen and Silje Maria Tellmann This blog post is based on the Evidence & Policy article, ‘Productive interactions without impact? An empirical investigation of researchers’ struggle to improve elderly’s oral health’, part of the Special Issue: ‘Learning from Failures in Knowledge Exchange’. Even if researchers do everything that is expected of them – collaborate with stakeholders, target important societal problems, engage in intensive science communication – societal impact may still not happen. What are the possible explanations? A recurring observation in studies of the societal impacts of research is that substantial change typically involves a great deal of ‘productive interaction’ between stakeholders and researchers. However, not all interactions provide the desired societal impacts, as our empirical study of a cross-disciplinary research group focused on improving oral health in the elderly shows. In our Evidence & Policy article, we examined the subtleties of productive interactions and the intricate web of stakeholders, to shed light on the gaps that keep research efforts from having the desired societal impact. We followed a group of researchers for six years, …

Romantic jealousy spikes with mate value mismatch, infidelity tolerance, and opposite-sex interactions

Romantic jealousy spikes with mate value mismatch, infidelity tolerance, and opposite-sex interactions

Published by José

A study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science found that romantic jealousy in intimate relationships is linked to mate value discrepancies, attitudes toward cheating, and opposite-sex interactions, with significant gender differences and implications for partner behavior and freedom. Romantic jealousy, an emotionally charged response to perceived threats to a relationship, has been scrutinized for its dual role: on one hand, it is associated with numerous negative outcomes, such as relationship dissolution, domestic violence, and mental health issues; on the other, it is argued to serve a protective function against the risk of infidelity. At the heart of this investigation is the role of romantic jealousy as an evolved mechanism aimed at safeguarding against the fitness costs posed by a partner’s potential infidelity. Jealousy may act as a deterrent, motivating individuals to take corrective actions to avert or mitigate the consequences of a partner’s extramarital activities. This includes increased vigilance over the partner’s actions and preemptive measures to limit their opportunities for engaging with potential rivals. The study was conducted at a private university in the Republic …

Researchers prolong quantum interactions in new experimental system

Researchers prolong quantum interactions in new experimental system

Published by skeptic

Rice researchers successfully prolonged quantum interactions in an experimental system nearly 30-fold by using ultracold temperatures and laser wavelengths to generate a ‘magic trap’ that helped delay the onset of decoherence. Quantum interactions promise faster computing, enhanced drug development, and new sensing applications. However, they are difficult to study experimentally since most systems can only sustain quantum effects for a short time. “The reason why quantum physics’ mysterious features tend to vanish so quickly is a process called decoherence,” said Kaden Hazzard, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and a corresponding author of the study. “The bigger the system and the larger the couplings to the surroundings, the more the system will behave in a classical, non-quantum fashion ⎯ and you lose your ability to investigate things at the quantum level.” The research, ‘Second-scale rotational coherence and dipolar interactions in a gas of ultracold polar molecules,’ was published in Nature Physics. A new arena to study quantum interactions The study is the first experimental demonstration of its kind and provides a new …

What Happened to Empathy? – The Atlantic

What Happened to Empathy? – The Atlantic

Published by skeptic

San Francisco, I realized during a visit to the city this spring, has a people problem. Not a homeless-people problem, or a tech-people problem, but a lack-of-people problem. As I walked from my hotel in SoMa to the Embarcadero on a sunny afternoon, the emptiness of the streets felt nearly apocalyptic. Passing other humans—a fundamental circumstance of urban life elsewhere—here was so rare, it felt oddly menacing. I did pass some people who looked unwell, or dirty from living on the streets, but that’s not why I felt the way I did. The volume and density of humanity are what make cities feel safe. The pleasure and pain of a city is that we are never alone, even when we desperately want to be. That wasn’t the case in San Francisco. So I was bewildered when I read recently of the city’s experiment with driverless taxicabs. During that visit, I stepped over two people who appeared to be high on fentanyl, stepped past too many boarded-up storefronts to count, and literally stepped into human excrement. …