Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Vivian Hsueh Hua Chen, Gabrielle C. Ibasco
Summary: Research in the past decade has shown that virtual reality perspective-taking (VRPT) has the potential to reduce bias against outgroups. This study compares empathy and situational attributions as dual mediators affecting intergroup attitudes and stereotypes in VRPT. The results indicate that empathy significantly mediates the effect of VRPT on attitudes and stereotypes.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Social
Marijn Mado, Fernanda Herrera, Kristine Nowak, Jeremy Bailenson
Summary: Virtual reality perspective-taking experiences can effectively increase empathy and prosocial behaviors towards related social targets, but the effects on empathy and prosocial behaviors for unrelated contexts are mixed. Transfer of empathy from one context to another is possible, but not consistent across all contexts.
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING
(2021)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Ryan C. Brindle, Alexandra Pearson, Annie T. Ginty
Summary: Adverse childhood experiences are associated with poor future mental and physical health. This meta-analysis confirms that exposure to such experiences is related to blunted cardiovascular and cortisol stress reactivity.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Benjamin Ganschow, Liza Cornet, Sven Zebel, Jean-Louis van Gelder
Summary: The study found that the perspective-taking exercise in a VR environment significantly increased various domains of future self-continuity, while the in vivo equivalent showed less improvement. There were directional but not significant differences in connectedness and similarity between the virtual and in vivo environments, suggesting a possible placebo effect of the virtual reality environment.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Adamantini Hatzipanayioti, Marios N. Avraamides
Summary: The study found that there was a greater alignment effect when performing spatial perspective tasks in a virtual environment compared to a real environment. Additionally, being an internal observer to the scene did not introduce additional difficulties for perspective taking compared to being an external observer.
Article
Biology
Matthew J. McAllister, M. Hunter Martaindale, Andrew E. Gonzalez, Marcus J. Case
Summary: This study examined the impact of participating in a VR-based active shooter training drill on markers of physiological stress, as well as potential differences between men and women. Participation in the drill led to increased stress markers, with women showing lower concentrations of cortisol and uric acid compared to men.
YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Simon Langener, Joanne Van der Nagel, Jeannette van Manen, Wiebren Markus, Boukje Dijkstra, Laura De Fuentes-Merillas, Randy Klaassen, Janika Heitmann, Dirk Heylen, Arnt Schellekens
Summary: This systematic review evaluated the evidence of immersive VR in the clinical assessment and treatment of addictive disorders. While most studies showed associations between VR-induced cue-reactivity and clinical parameters in assessment, diagnostic value still needs to be further confirmed. VR treatment studies using exposure therapy showed negative effects, but other interventions demonstrated positive findings.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Oswald D. Kothgassner, Andreas Goreis, Lisa M. Glenk, Johanna Xenia Kafka, Bettina Pfeffer, Leon Beutl, Ilse Kryspin-Exner, Helmut Hlavacs, Rupert Palme, Anna Felnhofer
Summary: The study found that both the real and VR-TSST induced significantly stronger cortisol and cardiovascular responses than the placebo on the first exposure. Although on the third visit, the real TSST still induced more self-reported stress than the placebo, the physiological responses were comparable to the placebo group.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chiara Baiano, Xavier Job, Louise P. P. Kirsch, Malika Auvray
Summary: Information can be perceived from different spatial perspectives, and interoception plays a role in our perception. However, the impact of perceiving our internal body signals on spatial perspective-taking is not well understood.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Communication
Fernanda Herrera, Jeremy N. Bailenson
Summary: The study found that participants with avatar representation and the ability to choose their skin tone were more likely to exhibit prosocial behaviors and report higher social presence scores during a virtual reality perspective-taking task.
NEW MEDIA & SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
M. Cima, N. A. Nicolson
Summary: This study explored morning cortisol levels and stress responses in psychopathic offenders, non-psychopathic offenders, and non-offender controls. The researchers found that psychopathic offenders exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels during a stress task compared to controls, while non-psychopathic offenders showed a similar but non-significant trend. However, there were no significant differences in cortisol response slopes among the three groups.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Communication
Benjamin J. Li, Hye Kyung Kim
Summary: This study reveals the different effects of self- vs other-embodied perspective taking on promoting kidney donation in a virtual reality experiment. Self-embodied perspective taking triggers self-oriented emotions, while embodying the other induces other-oriented emotions that promote altruistic motivations for donation.
NEW MEDIA & SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Ella McLoughlin, Rachel Arnold, Paul Freeman, James E. Turner, Gareth A. Roberts, David Fletcher, George M. Slavich, Lee J. Moore
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between lifetime stressor exposure and psychophysiological reactivity and habituation. The findings suggest that moderate stressor exposure is associated with adaptive cardiovascular reactivity, while very low or high stressor exposure is related to maladaptive reactions. Additionally, experiencing a low number of stressors is associated with poorer habituation. Stressor severity does not appear to affect cardiovascular reactivity. Finally, higher stressor counts are associated with blunted cortisol reactivity and poorer habituation, indicating that lifetime stressor exposure may influence acute stress responses among sport performers.
JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Cybernetics
Seung Jin Chung, So Yeon Kim, Ki Han Kim
Summary: This study investigated the impact of spatial environment on user experience in VR exhibitions, finding that virtuality-based environments induce more active movements while reality-based environments provide a more comfortable feeling and better communication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN-COMPUTER STUDIES
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Adam O'Riordan, Danielle A. Young, Annie T. Ginty
Summary: This study examined the influence of extraversion on physiological reactivity and habituation to stress. The results showed that extraversion was associated with larger blood pressure and heart rate reactivity, as well as greater habituation of blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. These findings suggest an adaptive response pattern among highly extraverted individuals and potential positive health outcomes.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Umit Yilmaz, Kevser Tanbek
Summary: This study investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of Spexin on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis and energy expenditure in rats. The results showed that Spexin reduced food consumption and body weight, increased thyroid hormones, and enhanced energy metabolism.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kuei-Yu Chien, Yun-Ju Chen, Kuo-Jen Hsu, Chiao-Nan Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a high-protein diet and high-intensity interval training on appetite and weight loss in obese middle-aged individuals. The results showed that consuming a high-protein drink and following a high-protein diet after exercise can reduce post-exercise appetite and the frequency of late-night snacking.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Melissa Alves Braga Oliveira, Ana Carolina Odebrecht Vergne de Abreu, Debora Barroggi Constantino, Andre C. Tonon, Antoni Diez-Noguera, Fernanda Gaspar Amaral, Maria Paz Hidalgo
Summary: Biological processes in living organisms exhibit strong rhythmicity and are regulated by internal timing systems. Understanding the influence of biological rhythms is crucial for experimental design and reporting.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Yanqun Cao, Hao Chen, Yinna Tan, Xu-Dong Yu, Chuli Xiao, Yin Li, James Reilly, Zhiming He, Xinhua Shu
Summary: There is evidence to suggest that chronic stress impacts neurochemical homeostasis and contributes to mental disorders. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural compound found in vegetables and fruits, against stress-associated mental disorders. The findings suggest that p-CA could alleviate cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS) by regulating the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Mai O. Spaulding, Jessica R. Hoffman, Grace C. Madu, Magen N. Lord, Caroline Soares Iizuka, Kevin P. Myers, Emily E. Noble
Summary: Food insecurity is associated with obesity and disordered eating behaviors. Studying a rodent model, researchers found that adolescent food insecurity may increase susceptibility to obesity and altered eating behaviors during adulthood.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
K. Oberman, B. L. van Leeuwen, M. Nabben, J. E. Villafranca, R. G. Schoemaker
Summary: The present study investigated the post-operative complications and therapeutic potential of J147 in male Zucker rats, and found that J147 treatment had positive effects on behavioral and metabolic parameters, but did not affect neuroinflammation. The results suggest that a combination of acute and chronic J147 treatment may be optimal for treatment.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Mathieu Cournoyer, Alice Maldera, Alexandre-Charles Gauthier, Fabien Dal Maso, Marie-Eve Mathieu
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive view of the literature on the effect of different odors on physical activity through a systematic review. It was found that pleasant odors have a positive impact on participants' physical activity. However, better methodological consistency is needed in studies to produce more meaningful results.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Gabriel R. Gilmore, Jeff Dyche
Summary: This study examined sleep, sleep/wake regularity, and cognition in college students diagnosed with depression and using serotonergic antidepressants, comparing them to those without a depression diagnosis. The results showed that students using antidepressants had slightly longer wake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency, but these differences were likely not noticed by the participants. There were no differences in sleep regularity or cognition between the two groups.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Erica A. Cross, Kim L. Huhman, H. Elliott Albers
Summary: Social stress plays a significant role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and can lead to behavioral deficits such as social withdrawal. This study investigates the impact of social stress on social reward in Syrian hamsters. The results show that subordinate and socially defeated males have reduced motivation for social interactions compared to dominant males. Additionally, winning males exhibit greater activation in the mesolimbic dopamine system compared to losers. In females, there were no differences in social entries between winners and losers, but winning females display more activation in the NAc shell.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Daniel A. R. Cabral, Maria L. M. Rego, Eduardo B. Fontes, Vagner D. O. Tavares
Summary: This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and negative emotional states (NES) in men with substance use disorders (SUD) undergoing treatment. The findings showed a positive correlation between BMI and stress, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that reducing body fat accumulation may contribute to improving mental health in individuals with SUD during recovery.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Elizabeth Agbor Epse Muluh, Jessica C. McCormack, Yunfan Mo, Michael Garratt, Mei Peng
Summary: This PROSPERO pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the olfactory and gustatory changes in pregnant individuals. The meta-analysis revealed that pregnant individuals performed poorer in odour identification, rated olfactory stimuli to be more intense during the second and third trimester, and had increased pleasantness for sweet taste in the first trimester. No major difference was observed in terms of gustatory functions between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Renee Spiteri Douglas, Mackenzie R. Hartley, J. Renee Yang, Tamara B. Franklin
Summary: The expression of Hdac2 in the hippocampus is associated with social status, while the expression of closely related genes Hdac1 and HDAC2 protein is not associated with social rank in the hippocampus.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)