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Cortes Barragan R, Meltzoff AN. Prosociality and health: Identification with all humanity is a replicable predictor of prosocial motivation for health behaviors. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1052713. [PMID: 36710834 PMCID: PMC9878695 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1052713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic may have passed, but the pandemic remains a major worldwide health concern that demands continued vigilance. Are there individual differences that predict the motivation to continue to wear masks and to create physical distance in public? Previous research conducted early in the pandemic had suggested that a particular social identity-identification with all humanity-is one underlying factor that contributes to people's cooperation with health behavior guidelines. This highlights that the pandemic is not only an issue to be tackled with the tools of immunology and epidemiology. It also requires the tools from psychology-to measure the representations people have about themselves and others and how these representations drive values and decisions related to health. Here we report work on U.S. respondents that examined whether individuals' level of identification with all humanity predicts their prosocial health behaviors aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19. In 3 convergent studies (total N = 1,580), we find that identification with all humanity predicted the prosocial motivation to wear masks and to engage in physical distancing when in public without a mask. The results were obtained while controlling for a host of covariates, including demographics, educational attainment, and Big Five personality dimensions. We find that some people have a marked drive to care for the health of strangers, which is significantly linked to their concern for all humanity rather than being restricted to their care for their community or country. Discussion focuses on this social identification with humanity and its enduring, replicable role in predicting the motivation to engage in prosocial health behaviors. We note key implications for theories in social and developmental psychology as well as for research that may lead to practical applications for lessening the human toll of the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Cortes Barragan
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,*Correspondence: Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, ✉
| | - Andrew N. Meltzoff
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Andrew N. Meltzoff, ✉
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Zhou H, Gao Q, Chen W, Wei Q. Action Understanding Promoted by Interoception in Children: A Developmental Model. Front Psychol 2022; 13:724677. [PMID: 35264994 PMCID: PMC8900726 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.724677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Action understanding of children develops from simple associative learning to mentalizing. With the rise of embodied cognition, the role of interoception in action observation and action understanding has received more attention. From a developmental perspective, this study proposes a novel developmental model that explores how interoception promotes action understanding of children across ages. In early infancy, most actions observed in infants come from interactions with their caregivers. Babies learn about action effects through automatic interoceptive processing and interoceptive feedback. Interoception in early infancy is not fully developed, such as the not fully developed gastrointestinal tract and intestinal nervous system. Therefore, in early infancy, action understanding is based on low-level and original interoceptive information. At this stage, after observing the actions of others, infants can create mental representations or even imitate actions without external visual feedback, which requires interoception to provide internal reference information. By early childhood, children begin to infer action intentions of other people by integrating various types of information to reach the mentalizing level. Interoception processing requires the integration of multiple internal signals, which promotes the information integration ability of children. Interoception also provides inner information for reasoning about action intention. This review also discussed the neural mechanisms of interoception and possible ways by which it could promote action understanding of children. In early infancy, the central autonomic neural network (CAN) automatically processes and responds to the actions of caregivers on infants, providing interoceptive information for action understanding of infants. In infancy, the growth of the somatomotor system provides important internal reference information for observing and imitating the actions of infants. In early childhood, the development of interoception of children facilitates the integration of internal and external information, which promotes the mentalization of action understanding of children. According to the proposed developmental model of action understanding of children promoted by interoception, there are multilevel and stage-dependent characteristics that impact the role of interoception in action understanding of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Qiyang Gao
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Qiaobo Wei
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
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Koenig‐Zores C, Davy‐Monteil M, Vincent V, Astruc D, Meyer N, Kuhn P. Very preterm infants displayed similar imitation skills to full-term infants at term equivalent age. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:3237-3245. [PMID: 34473844 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM Very preterm infants are exposed to an atypical environment that could alter their developmental trajectory. We aimed to examine neonatal imitation, a foundation of social cognition, in very preterm and full-term infants. METHODS In Strasbourg, France, between 2015 and 2018, we prospectively investigated the development of imitation skills. Very preterm (27 to 33 weeks of gestational age, n = 20) and full-term infants (n = 20) were enrolled using four gestures: tongue protrusion, mouth opening, sequential finger movements and hand movements. All testing were performed in infants at term-equivalent age. Two independent and blinded observers coded the behaviour of each infant on video recording. Facial expressions or hand movements, similar to the one presented, were quantified and classified according to their timing. RESULTS A total of 37 out of 40 infants imitated at least one gesture. The very preterm and term infants did not differ in the presence of imitation or its timing for the four gestures tested. The very preterm infants displayed more imitation abilities for sequential finger movement. Tongue protrusion and sequential finger movement were the particularly strong imitated gesture in both groups. CONCLUSION These findings are the first to show similar neonatal imitation in term and very preterm infants. Our results may support early parent-infant social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Koenig‐Zores
- Médecine et Réanimation du nouveau‐né Service de Pédiatrie 2 Pôle médico chirurgical Pédiatrique de Hautepierre CHU Strasbourg Strasbourg France
- INCI UPR 3231 CNRS/ université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Mathilde Davy‐Monteil
- Médecine et Réanimation du nouveau‐né Service de Pédiatrie 2 Pôle médico chirurgical Pédiatrique de Hautepierre CHU Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Véronique Vincent
- Médecine et Réanimation du nouveau‐né Service de Pédiatrie 2 Pôle médico chirurgical Pédiatrique de Hautepierre CHU Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Dominique Astruc
- Médecine et Réanimation du nouveau‐né Service de Pédiatrie 2 Pôle médico chirurgical Pédiatrique de Hautepierre CHU Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Service d'information médicale‐biostatistique ‐ Santé Publique CHU Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Pierre Kuhn
- Médecine et Réanimation du nouveau‐né Service de Pédiatrie 2 Pôle médico chirurgical Pédiatrique de Hautepierre CHU Strasbourg Strasbourg France
- INCI UPR 3231 CNRS/ université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
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Shen G, Weiss SM, Meltzoff AN, Allison ON, Marshall PJ. Exploring developmental changes in infant anticipation and perceptual processing: EEG responses to tactile stimulation. INFANCY 2021; 27:97-114. [PMID: 34617671 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in alpha-range rhythms in the electroencephalogram (EEG) in relation to perceptual and attentional processes. The infant mu rhythm has been extensively studied in the context of linkages between action observation and action production in infancy, but less is known about the mu rhythm in relation to cross-modal processes involving somatosensation. We investigated differences in mu responses to cued vibrotactile stimulation of the hand in two age groups of infants: From 6 to 7 months and 13 to 14 months. We were also interested in anticipatory neural responses in the alpha frequency range prior to tactile stimulation. Tactile stimulation of infants' left or right hand was preceded by an audiovisual cue signaling which hand would be stimulated. In response to the tactile stimulus, infants demonstrated significant mu desynchronization over the central areas contralateral to the hand stimulated, with higher mu peak frequency and greater contralateral mu desynchronization for older infants. Prior to the tactile stimulus, both age groups showed significant bilateral alpha desynchronization over frontocentral sites, which may be indicative of generalized anticipation of an upcoming stimulus. The findings highlight the potential of examining the sensorimotor mu rhythm in the context of infant attentional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Shen
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Staci M Weiss
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew N Meltzoff
- Institute for Learning and Brain Science, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Olivia N Allison
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadephia, Philadephia, USA
| | - Peter J Marshall
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Barragan RC, Meltzoff AN. Human infants can override possessive tendencies to share valued items with others. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9635. [PMID: 33953287 PMCID: PMC8100139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88898-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Possessiveness toward objects and sharing are competing tendencies that influence dyadic and group interactions within the primate lineage. A distinctive form of sharing in adult Homo sapiens involves active giving of high-valued possessions to others, without an immediate reciprocal benefit. In two Experiments with 19-month-old human infants (N = 96), we found that despite measurable possessive behavior toward their own personal objects (favorite toy, bottle), infants spontaneously gave these items to a begging stranger. Moreover, human infants exhibited this behavior across different types of objects that are relevant to theory (personal objects, sweet food, and common objects)-showing flexible generalizability not evidenced in non-human primates. We combined these data with a previous dataset, yielding a large sample of infants (N = 192), and identified sociocultural factors that may calibrate young infants' sharing of objects with others. The current findings show a proclivity that is rare or absent in our closest living relatives-the capacity to override possessive behavior toward personally valued objects by sharing those same desired objects with others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Cortes Barragan
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | - Andrew N Meltzoff
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
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Fanghella M, Era V, Candidi M. Interpersonal Motor Interactions Shape Multisensory Representations of the Peripersonal Space. Brain Sci 2021; 11:255. [PMID: 33669561 PMCID: PMC7922994 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This perspective review focuses on the proposal that predictive multisensory integration occurring in one's peripersonal space (PPS) supports individuals' ability to efficiently interact with others, and that integrating sensorimotor signals from the interacting partners leads to the emergence of a shared representation of the PPS. To support this proposal, we first introduce the features of body and PPS representations that are relevant for interpersonal motor interactions. Then, we highlight the role of action planning and execution on the dynamic expansion of the PPS. We continue by presenting evidence of PPS modulations after tool use and review studies suggesting that PPS expansions may be accounted for by Bayesian sensory filtering through predictive coding. In the central section, we describe how this conceptual framework can be used to explain the mechanisms through which the PPS may be modulated by the actions of our interaction partner, in order to facilitate interpersonal coordination. Last, we discuss how this proposal may support recent evidence concerning PPS rigidity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its possible relationship with ASD individuals' difficulties during interpersonal coordination. Future studies will need to clarify the mechanisms and neural underpinning of these dynamic, interpersonal modulations of the PPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Fanghella
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (V.E.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of London, London EC1V 0HB, UK
| | - Vanessa Era
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (V.E.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Candidi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (V.E.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
AbstractSafe human-robot interactions require robots to be able to learn how to behave appropriately in spaces populated by people and thus to cope with the challenges posed by our dynamic and unstructured environment, rather than being provided a rigid set of rules for operations. In humans, these capabilities are thought to be related to our ability to perceive our body in space, sensing the location of our limbs during movement, being aware of other objects and agents, and controlling our body parts to interact with them intentionally. Toward the next generation of robots with bio-inspired capacities, in this paper, we first review the developmental processes of underlying mechanisms of these abilities: The sensory representations of body schema, peripersonal space, and the active self in humans. Second, we provide a survey of robotics models of these sensory representations and robotics models of the self; and we compare these models with the human counterparts. Finally, we analyze what is missing from these robotics models and propose a theoretical computational framework, which aims to allow the emergence of the sense of self in artificial agents by developing sensory representations through self-exploration.
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Preface. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 254:xv-xvi. [DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(20)30144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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