Extremely negative emotion interferes with cognition: Evidence from ERPs and time-varying brain network

Dual temporal pathway model of emotion processing based on dynamic network reconfiguration analysis of EEG signals

Emotion is crucial for the quality of daily life. Recent findings suggest that the cooperation and integration of multiple brain regions are essential for effective emotion processing. Additionally, network reconfiguration has been observed during various cognitive tasks. However, it remains unclear how the brain responds to different emotional categories under natural stimuli from the perspective of network reconfiguration, or whether this reconfiguration can predict subjective rating scores. To address this question, 28 video clips were used to evoke eight distinct emotion categories, and the participants' electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were recorded. Dynamic network reconfiguration analysis was performed on brain networks extracted from band-limited EEG signals using the phase locking value (PLV) across multiple non-overlapping time windows. Robust dynamic community detection was applied to these networks, followed by quantification of integration and segregation at both node- and community-level changes. Multidimensional rating scores were collected for each clip. The analysis revealed that the metrics of dynamic network reconfiguration could predict subjective ratings. Specifically, longer EEG segments improved predictions for positive emotions, whereas shorter segments were more effective for negative emotions. Our study provides empirical evidence integrating the dual-process model and the theory of constructed emotion. Based on observed spatiotemporal patterns of global integration and segregation across the brain, we propose the dual temporal pathway model for emotional processing across various emotion categories, highlighting fast and slow neural processes associated with negative and positive emotions, respectively. These findings offer valuable support for developing temporally targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for emotion-related brain disorders.

The Psychology of Tilt: Understanding Tilt and Coping Strategies in Video Games

The popularity of video games and esports has increased the demand for scientific research examining the psychological factors associated with video game performance. Tilt, a common term in gaming, is characterized by negative emotion and a decline in performance. The term tilt is commonly used within the gaming community, yet there is a lack of research examining tilt in video games from a psychological perspective. This article focuses on gaining insight from gamers regarding their understanding and experience of tilt in gaming using a qualitative approach. Thematic analysis of gamers responses determined tilt to be multifaceted, incorporating negative emotions and behavior, hindering cognition, and resulting in poor in-game performance. These results provide an important contribution to our conceptual understanding of tilt, illuminating the multitude of emotions involved in tilt, the antecedent factors, and insight regarding gamers strategies to deal with tilt. This study builds upon our understanding of tilt, providing practical information for esports psychologists to identify, understand, and effectively train players in managing tilt and improving performance. This study highlights the need for evidence-based tailored interventions centered upon reducing tilt and improving video game performance.

Academic performance, self-reported motivation, and affect in higher education: the role of basic psychological need satisfaction

Introduction

Higher education is a milestone in students' lives; however, it often comes with various challenges. In this context, Basic Psychological Needs Theory emerges as a framework to understand a series of significant factors that influence students' academic experiences, such as motivation and affect. Although there are studies that assess the association between basic psychological needs (BPN), motivation, affect and academic performance separately, there is a lack of research integrating all these variables in a higher education context. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the differences in BPN satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and academic performance between the courses perceived as the most motivating and those perceived as the least motivating. The second objective of the study was to examine the relationship between the studied variables.

Methods

This non-experimental cross-sectional study included a sample of 148 higher education students from Chile. Paired sample t-tests were performed to compare the levels of the study variables between the courses, followed by structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

Findings for the t-tests reveal that courses considered the most motivating showed higher positive affect, lower negative affect, higher BPN satisfaction, and better academic performance. Results obtained through the SEM show that BPN satisfaction has an indirect effect on academic performance, mediated by affect and self-reported motivation. In addition, a direct effect from negative affect to academic performance was found.

Discussion

These results contribute to a better understanding of how BPN satisfaction influences the academic performance of university students, and reinforce the usefulness of Self-determination Theory (SDT) in explaining motivational and affective phenomena in higher education.

The Chain Mediating Effect of Anxiety and Inhibitory Control and the Moderating Effect of Physical Activity Between Bullying Victimization and Internet Addiction in Chinese Adolescents

This study aimed to investigate the chain mediating roles of anxiety and inhibitory control in the relationship between bullying victimization and internet addiction among Chinese adolescents, as well as the moderating effect of physical activity. A cross-sectional design was employed, sampling 1,585 adolescents from 5 provinces in China during February-March 2024. Data on bullying victimization, internet addiction, anxiety, inhibitory control, and physical activity were collected and analyzed using a moderated chain mediation model. The data suggest that bullying victimization is associated with internet addiction, and this association is also mediated by anxiety and inhibitory control. Furthermore, physical activity was found to significantly moderate the relationship between anxiety and inhibitory control. This study contributes to the understanding of how bullying victimization, anxiety, and inhibitory control are interrelated in the context of internet addiction development, with physical activity influencing this interplay. It highlights the potential of physical activity as a factor in mitigating the impact of bullying and its association with internet addiction.

Computational Modeling of the Prefrontal-Cingulate Cortex to Investigate the Role of Coupling Relationships for Balancing Emotion and Cognition

Within the prefrontal-cingulate cortex, abnormalities in coupling between neuronal networks can disturb the emotion-cognition interactions, contributing to the development of mental disorders such as depression. Despite this understanding, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive. In this study, we present a biophysical computational model encompassing three crucial regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The objective is to investigate the role of coupling relationships within the prefrontal-cingulate cortex networks in balancing emotions and cognitive processes. The numerical results confirm that coupled weights play a crucial role in the balance of emotional cognitive networks. Furthermore, our model predicts the pathogenic mechanism of depression resulting from abnormalities in the subgenual cortex, and network functionality was restored through intervention in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This study utilizes computational modeling techniques to provide an insight explanation for the diagnosis and treatment of depression.

Attention allocation in foreign language reading anxiety during lexical processing - An ERP study with cue-target paradigm

Extensive behavioral and pedagogical studies emphasize the negative impact of foreign language reading anxiety on foreign language reading. This study investigated whether foreign language reading anxiety is correlated with dysregulation of attentional allocation while foreign language reading. We used event-related potential (ERP) indices as biomarkers to examine attention allocation between groups with high foreign language reading anxiety (HFLRA) and low foreign language reading anxiety (LFLRA) using a cue-target paradigm under conditions that posed high (valid condition) or low (invalid condition) expectations on target location. Behavioral results indicated that HFLRA individuals exhibited significantly lower accuracy compared to LFLRA individuals in both valid and invalid conditions. ERP analyses demonstrated that HFLRA individuals showed significant differences in attentional allocation compared to LFLRA individuals, as reflected by later N2 latency and stronger LPC amplitude, particularly in the invalid condition. Additionally, LFLRA individuals demonstrated a significant difference in N2 latency between valid and invalid conditions, which was not observed in HFLRA individuals. These findings suggest that HFLRA individuals experience inefficient attentional allocation during foreign language reading.

The mediating role of inhibitory control and the moderating role of family support between anxiety and Internet addiction in Chinese adolescents

OBJECTIVE

While some studies have explored the influencing factors of adolescent internet addiction, the risk factors and protective factors still require further discussion. This study aims to examine the mediating role of inhibitory control between anxiety and internet addiction among Chinese adolescents, as well as the moderating role of family support in the relationship between anxiety and inhibitory control.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted through convenience sampling from February to March 2024 in seven schools across five provinces in China. A total of 1677 participants (697 males and 980 females) with an average age of 15.86 ± 0.74 years were included in the study. Self-reported data on internet addiction, anxiety, inhibitory control, and family support were collected, followed by correlation analysis and moderated mediation model testing.

RESULTS

After controlling for participants' gender and age, the study found that anxiety could significantly predict adolescent internet addiction directly (β = 0.429, p < 0.001). When inhibitory control was introduced as a mediating variable, the predictive effect of anxiety on adolescent internet addiction remained significant (β = 0.317, p < 0.001). Additionally, family support alleviated the relationship between anxiety and adolescents' inhibitory control (β = -0.057, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Anxiety can predict adolescent internet addiction through inhibitory control, while family support can moderate the predictive relationship between anxiety and adolescents' inhibitory control. It is recommended that guardians pay attention to adolescents' negative emotions, provide adequate support, guide emotional regulation, and prevent the occurrence of internet addiction.

The chain mediating effect of anxiety and inhibitory control between bullying victimization and internet addiction in adolescents

Although some studies have revealed the association between bullying victimization and internet addiction in adolescents, the mediating and moderating factors between the two need to be further discussed. This study aimed to discuss the chain mediating role of anxiety and inhibitory control between bullying victimization and internet addiction among Chinese adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven schools in five provinces of China by convenience sampling from February to March 2024. A total of 1673 participants (695 boys and 978 girls) with an average age of 15.86 ± 0.74 years were included in this study. Subjective data on bullying victimization, internet addiction, anxiety, inhibitory control were collected and analyzed, and a mediation model test was carried out. After controlling for age and gender, bullying victimization was found to be a significant predictor of internet addiction (β = 0.098, p < 0.001). However, when anxiety and inhibitory control were added, the predictive effect was no longer significant (β = 0.006, p > 0.05). Bullying victimization can predict internet addiction through anxiety and inhibitory control. It is suggested that guardians should provide adequate support to adolescent bullying victims in order to reduce the negative impact of bullying victimization on adolescents and prevent the occurrence of internet addiction.

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device is related to early emotional reactivity: An ERP study

Despite the evidence of altered emotion processing in oral contraceptive (OC) users, the impact of hormonal intrauterine devices (IUD) on emotional processing remains unexplored. Our study aimed to investigate how behavioural performance and event-related potentials (ERPs) linked with emotion reactivity and its regulation are associated with hormonal profiles of women using different types of hormonal contraception and naturally cycling women. Women using OCs (n = 25), hormonal IUDs (n = 33), and naturally cycling women in their early follicular (NCF, n = 33) or mid-luteal (NCL, n = 28) phase of the menstrual cycle were instructed to view emotional pictures (neutral, low and high negativity) and use cognitive reappraisal to up- or down-regulate negative emotions, while their electroencephalogram was recorded. Participants rated perceived negativity after each picture and their emotional arousal throughout the task. Saliva samples were collected to assess levels of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. As expected, emotional arousal increased throughout the task and correlated positively with perceived negativity. Perceived negativity and the amplitudes of the middle (N2/P3) and later (LPP) latency ERP components increased with increasing stimuli negativity. Emotion regulation modulated perceived negativity and the amplitudes of very late ERP components (parietal and frontal LPP). Moreover, IUD-users showed a higher negative amplitude of the frontal N2 in comparison to all three other groups, with the most consistent differences during up-regulation. Finally, testosterone correlated positively with the N2 peak in IUD-users and NCL women. Overall, our findings suggest that IUD-use and testosterone might be related to altered preconscious processing during the emotion regulation task requiring attention to the stimulus. The study underscores the need for additional research into how different hormonal contraceptives are linked to socio-emotional functioning.