Decision-making is pivotal in everyday life and can often be influenced by the framing effect, whereby the presentation of information influences decisions. This study investigates how reframing affects decision confidence in young adults. 46 healthy participants performed a resistance-to-reframe task, making work-related decisions by selecting the best option from four alternatives and rating their confidence before and after a negative reframing. Behavioural data and EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma) were recorded. Reframing significantly affected decision confidence, especially initially, by increasing the complexity of choices. Increased reaction times after reframing reflected greater cognitive complexity due to perspective changes. EEG results showed significant activity in the delta, theta and alpha bands, with higher activation in the right frontal area (AF8). Reframing affects decision-making by increasing cognitive workload and modulating confidence, suggesting the role of executive functions and metacognition in managing uncertainty.
The present study examined associations between negative affect (NA) and executive functioning (EFs) in healthy young adults. Thirty-nine participants completed a battery of cognitive tasks assessing EFs, that is visuospatial learning, attention, planning, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, alongside self-report measures of anxiety, depression, stress, and mood. Pearson correlations were computed between affective and cognitive measures. Firstly, not all affective measures were related to cognitive outcomes, and associations varied across tasks and domains. Secondly, higher levels of stress and mood-related dimensions were negatively associated with visuospatial learning and attentional performance, while state anxiety was positively associated with reaction times in complex planning tasks. In contrast, positive associations emerged between mood dimensions and performance in a task requiring generative processes. These findings indicate that NA is differentially associated with executive functions in non-clinical populations, highlighting the importance of considering both task characteristics and specific affective dimensions.
This study investigates the impact of functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate (PCC), a key node of the default mode network of the brain, and the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key node of the central executive network in a sample of 48 unrelated male brains. Results indicate that weakened connectivity between the right PCC and the right DLPFC were linked to aggression. The implication of these findings is discussed in the context of current findings and future research.
Naturalistic neuroassessment has emerged as a transdisciplinary applied neuroscience approach aimed at evaluating cognitive and socio-affective processes in ecologically valid contexts. By integrating methods from cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural sciences, this framework enables the monitoring of neural and physiological correlates of complex functions-such as decision-making, problem-solving, and attentional control-during realistic tasks. Within organizational contexts, neuroassessment supports the field of neuromanagement by providing objective insights into cognitive effort, self-regulation, and executive functioning involved in managerial and team-based activities. Multimodal approaches combining electroencephalography (EEG), autonomic markers (e.g., heart rate variability and electrodermal activity), and eye-tracking allow for real-time assessment of cognitive load and emotional arousal. The increasing availability of wearable technologies further enhances ecological validity by enabling continuous monitoring in workplace environments. Beyond diagnostic profiling, neuroassessment can inform training, leadership development, and organizational design. However, its implementation requires careful consideration of methodological rigor, user acceptance, and ethical issues related to privacy and employee autonomy.
This study explored sensory processing differences between Italian autistic and neurotypical adults using the short-form Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ). The primary aim was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the Italian adaptation, examining feasibility and initial psychometric properties to guide future validation. A total of 156 participants (79 autistic, 77 neurotypical) completed the SPQ, which assesses sensory sensitivity across taste, smell, vision, hearing, and touch. Analyses included internal consistency, item-total correlations, exploratory factor analysis, and correlations with demographic variables. Group differences were tested using ANOVA, General Linear Models controlling for age, sex, and education, and MANCOVA to reduce multiple comparison bias. Autistic participants reported significantly lower total SPQ scores, particularly in vision, hearing, and touch, indicating heightened sensory sensitivity. Age showed a modest association with reduced olfactory sensitivity, while no significant effects emerged for sex or education. Findings support the feasibility of the Italian SPQ-short and highlight the relevance of sensory sensitivities in adult autism.
