A new framework to measure intuitiveness in decision problems

Intuition in decision-making is often seen as a set of heuristic or holistic mental processes applied to decision problems hen they exceed cognitive capacity, or whenever there is a will to achieve a solution that does not exhaust cognitive resources. In this regard, to date it has been solely treated as a  ersonal and frequently solipsist tendency. This paper tests whether different types of problems carry different degrees of intuitiveness’ and whether it would be possible to produce a realistic experimental model of such problems. To cope with both demands, standardized stimuli (mostly IAPS figures) were used to model decision problems as conflicts (approach-avoidance, approach-approach, and avoidanceapproach conflicts). Intuitiveness was argued to be inversely related to arousal, as measured by GSR levels. several solutions to methodological problems involving decision-making designs in the environment of the software BioExplorer were created. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests were used to rank problems. According to our analyses, ap-av conflicts are by far less intuitive than av-ap, and av-av (p <.0001). The latter two are not very different in this regard (p = .5712).

A new framework to measure intuitiveness in decision problems

Intuition in decision-making is often seen as a set of heuristic or holistic mental processes applied to decision problems hen they exceed cognitive capacity, or whenever there is a will to achieve a solution that does not exhaust cognitive resources. In this regard, to date it has been solely treated as a  ersonal and frequently solipsist tendency. This paper tests whether different types of problems carry different degrees of intuitiveness’ and whether it would be possible to produce a realistic experimental model of such problems. To cope with both demands, standardized stimuli (mostly IAPS figures) were used to model decision problems as conflicts (approach-avoidance, approach-approach, and avoidanceapproach conflicts). Intuitiveness was argued to be inversely related to arousal, as measured by GSR levels. several solutions to methodological problems involving decision-making designs in the environment of the software BioExplorer were created. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests were used to rank problems. According to our analyses, ap-av conflicts are by far less intuitive than av-ap, and av-av (p <.0001). The latter two are not very different in this regard (p = .5712).

Clinical Efficacy of a New Automated Hemoencefalographic Neurofeedback Protocol

Among the ongoing attempts to enhance cognitive performance, an emergent and yet underrepresented venue is brought by hemoencefalographic neurofeedback (HEG). This paper presents three related advances in HEG neurofeedback for cognitive enhancement: a) a new HEG protocol for cognitive enhancement, as well as b) the results of independent measures of biological efficacy (EEG brain maps) extracted in three phases, during a one year follow up case study; c) the results of the first controlled clinical trial of HEG, designed to assess the efficacy of the technique for cognitive enhancement of an adult and neurologically intact population. The new protocol was developed in the environment of a software that organizes digital signal algorithms in a flowchart format. Brain maps were produced through 10 brain recordings. The clinical trial used a working memory test as its independent measure of achievement. The main conclusion of this study is that the technique appears to be clinically promising. Approaches to cognitive performance from a metabolic viewpoint should be explored further. However, it is particularly important to note that, to our knowledge, this is the world's first controlled clinical study on the matter and it is still early for an ultimate evaluation of the technique

Hemoencephalography self-regulation training and its impact on cognition: A study with schizophrenia and healthy participants

Background: Cognitive impairments in schizophrenia are strongly correlated to functional outcome and recovery rates, with no pharmacological agent approved for its treatment. Neurofeedback has emerged as a non-pharmacological approach to enhance neuroplasticity, which consists in inducing voluntary control of brain responses through operant conditioning. Method: The effects of hemoencephalography neurofeedback (HEG-NFBK) in 4 brain sites (F7, Fp1, Fp2 and F8) was studied in 8 patients with schizophrenia (SCH, mean age 36.5 +/- 9.98) and 12 health controls (mean age 32.17 +/- 5.6). We analyzed groups' performance (10 sessions) and cognitive differences in 3 time points (baseline, after training and follow-up) with generalized estimated equations. For SCH we also evaluate the impact on psychopathology. Results: We found a group * time interaction for HEG-NFBK performance in the left hemisphere sites (F7 an Fp1) and a near-to-significant in the right frontotemporal region (F8), with no group differences and a significant time effect. Most of cognitive domains improved after intervention, including information processing speed, attention processing, working memory, executive functioning, verbal and visual learning. No group * time interaction was found. Results suggest that both groups benefit from HEG-NFBK training regardless of cognitive differences at baseline. No significant time effects were found for Calgary and PANSS total scale and subscales (positive, negative neither general). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first controlled trial showing effects of NFBK on cognitive performance improvement in schizophrenia. Further research investigating the effects of HEG-NFBK training in schizophrenia should be performed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Clin Neurosci Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat, Ctr Neuromodulat Studies, Sao Paulo, BrazilItallis Consciousness Technol, Atlanta, GA USAUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Clin Hosp Porto Alegre, Epidemiol & Biostat Unity, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilSao Paulo State Secretariat Hlth, Reference Ctr Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drugs CRATOD, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Clin Neurosci Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat, Ctr Neuromodulat Studies, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc