Editorial for Special Issue "Psychophysiology and Experimental Psychology".

The first experimental laboratory in psychology was founded in Leipzig (Germany), where Wilhelm Wundt mainly investigated feelings and sensations by employing experimental methods. Almost a century and half after is debut, experimental laboratories have extremely evolved in terms of apparatus, instruments, and recording techniques. Under a multiand interdisciplinary perspective, we can now better understand human cognitive and affective processes. As current zeitgeist has placed increasing emphasis upon the ecologically valid research, an "out-of-thelab" approach, integrated with both human and nonhuman research, is expected to leverage scientific advances in the field of human behavior.

El primer laboratorio experimental de psicología se fundó en Leipzig (Alemania), donde Wilhelm Wundt investigó principalmente los sentimientos y las sensaciones empleando métodos experimentales. Casi siglo y medio después de su debut, los laboratorios experimentales han evolucionado enormemente en cuanto a aparatos, instrumentos y técnicas de registro. Bajo una perspectiva multi e interdisciplinar, ahora podemos comprender mejor los procesos cognitivos y afectivos humanos. Dado que el zeitgeist actual ha puesto cada vez más énfasis en la investigación válida ecológicamente, se espera que un enfoque "fuera del laboratorio", integrado con la investigación humana y no humana, impulse los avances científicos en el campo del comportamiento humano.

FamFac - A Database of Famous Faces for Psychology Experiments.

Introduction: High variation in the low-level proprieties of visual stimuli and varying degrees of familiarity with famous faces may have caused a bias in the results of investigations that tried to disentangle the processes involved in familiar and unfamiliar face processing (e.g., temporal differences in the detection of the first event-related potentials specialized in face processing may have been caused by different methods of controlling variance in the low-level proprieties of visual stimuli). Objective: To address these problems, we developed a freely available database of 183 famous faces whose low-level proprieties (brightness, size, resolution) have been homogenized and the level of familiarity established. Method: The brightness of the stimuli was standardized by a custom-developed algorithm. The size and the resolution of the pictures were homogenized in Gimp. The familiarity level of the famous faces was established by a group of 48 Portuguese college students. Results: Our results suggest that the brightness of each image did not differ significantly from the mean brightness value of the stimuli set, confirming the standardizing ability of the algorithm. Forty-one famous faces were classified as highly familiar. Main findings and implications: This study provides two important resources, as both the algorithm and the database are freely available for research purposes. The homogenization of the low-level features and the control of the level of familiarity of the famous faces included in our database should ensure that they do not elicit confounding effects such as the ones verified in past studies.

Introducción: La existencia de una gran variación en las propiedades de bajo nivel de estímulos visuales y la ocurrencia de diversos grados de familiaridad con rostros famosos pueden haber causado un sesgo en los resultados de las investigaciones que intentaron desentrañar los procesos involucrados en el procesamiento de rostros familiares y desconocidos (por ejemplo, las diferencias temporales en la detección de los primeros potenciales relacionados con eventos especializados en el procesamiento de rostros puede ser explicada por diferentes métodos para controlar la variación en las propiedades de bajo nivel de los estímulos visuales). Objetivo: Para mitigar estos problemas, desarrollamos una base de datos de 183 caras famosas, disponible gratuitamente, cuyas propiedades de bajo nivel (brillo, tamaño, resolución) fueron homogeneizados y el nivel de familiaridad medido. Método: El brillo de los estímulos fue estandarizado por un algoritmo personalizado. El tamaño y la resolución de las imágenes fueran homogeneizadas en Gimp. El nivel de familiaridad de los rostros famosos fue medido por un grupo de 48 estudiantes universitarios portugueses. Resultados: Nuestros resultados sugirieron que el brillo de cada imagen no difiere significativamente del valor de brillo medio del conjunto de estímulos. Cuarenta y un rostros famosos fueron clasificados como altamente familiares. Principales implicaciones. Este estudio proporciona dos recursos importantes, ya que tanto el algoritmo como la base de datos están disponibles gratuitamente para fines de investigación. Los procedimientos de homogeneización deben garantizar que los estímulos incluidos en la base de datos no provoquen efectos de confusión como los verificados en estudios anteriores.

Measuring Sexual Motivation as a Trait Dimension: A multisample study of the Portuguese (European) Version of the Trait Sexual Motivation Questionnaire.

The current study aimed at translating and validating the TSMQ into Portuguese-European (TSMQ-PT) and to investigate its psychometric properties. Three online studies were conducted with independent samples collected between September 2020 and March 2022. Study 1 tested the exploratory factorial structure (N = 325; 206 women); Study 2 explored the confirmatory factorial structure and construct validity (N = 450; 230 women); and Study 3 examined the temporal stability of the TSMQ-PT (N = 30; 15 women). Participants completed the TSMQ-PT for all three studies. In study 2, further completed the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale, and the Sexual Desire Inventory. Data revealed that the TSMQ-PT yielded a four-structure model, (i.e., Sexually Oriented, Comparison with Others, Seeking for Sexual Encounters, and Importance of Sex) comprising 13 items, with seven additional items for assessing existence and number of sexual partners, and frequency of sexual behaviors. The TSMQ-PT achieved good internal consistency levels (McDonald's omega ranged from .71 to .89) and construct validity, and temporal stability over 10-11 months (values ranged from .80 to .87) supporting the trait-dimension of sexual motivation. Current findings support a brief, valid, and reliable self-report instrument for assessing sexual motivation in the Portuguese context.

How much is a chef's touch worth? Affective, emotional and behavioural responses to food images: A multimodal study.

BACKGROUND: Food aesthetics influences affective dimensions (valence and arousal) and subsequent emotional and behavioural responses in images presented in more traditional form, almost rustic in some cases, to the signature dishes of haute cuisine. However, the visual impact of images of haute cuisine dishes on consumers' affective and emotional responses compared to traditional dishes is still understudied. METHODS: We recorded electrodermal activity, ocular movements and self-report affect of 35 volunteers while they performed a picture viewing paradigm using images of haute cuisine food, traditional food, and non-food. Additionally, the moderating role of age was examined. RESULTS: Our results showed that subjects had higher feelings of pleasure and arousal toward images of food (haute cuisine and traditional dishes) compared to non-food images. However, no difference in self-report affect, physiological and behavioural responses was found between haute cuisine and traditional dishes. Interestingly, a moderating effect of age was revealed, reporting that younger participants had greater feelings of pleasure and shorter eye-to-screen distance towards traditional food than haute cuisine. CONCLUSIONS: As a whole, our findings suggest that food aesthetics could at least partially affect consumers' affective and emotional responses. Interestingly, physiological responses to food pictures seemed to be relatively independent of approach/avoidance motivational states, supporting the assumption that traditional visual restaurant menus with attractive images might be insufficient for eliciting intense positive emotions. This study also contributes to advancing the understanding of the role that age plays in emotional impact when images of haute cuisine dishes are presented to consumers.

Temporal profile of intranasal oxytocin in the human autonomic nervous system at rest: An electrocardiography and pupillometry study.

BACKGROUND: Human social behavior is modulated by oxytocin (OT). Intranasal administration of OT (IN-OT) is a noninvasive route shown to elicit changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity; however, IN-OT's effect on the temporal profile of ANS activity at rest is yet to be described. AIMS: We aimed to describe the temporal profile of IN-OT at six 10-min time windows from 15- to 100-min post-administration in 20 male participants at rest while continuously recording their pupillary in an eyes-open condition and cardiac activity in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. METHODS: We used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design study where we extracted two proxies of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity: high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) and pupillary unrest index (PUI); and a proxy of sympathetic nervous system activity: sample entropy of the pupillary unrest. RESULTS: In the eyes-open condition, we found an effect of IN-OT on the proxies of PNS activity: decreased PUI in the three-time windows post-administration spanning 65-100 min, and as an exploratory finding, an increased HF-HRV in the 80-85 min time window. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest there is a role of OT in PNS regulation that may be consistent with OT's currently theorized role in the facilitation of alertness and approach behavior.

Men's Self-Reported and Psychophysiological Affective Responses to Sexual Violence and Their Associations with Rape Myths, Personality, and Sexual Traits: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: Despite alarming evidence on sexual violence against women, little is known about men's emotional responses to rape and how these may be involved in sexual violence dynamics. Accordingly, our aim was to capture how rape scenarios are emotionally appraised. Methods: The current study evaluated men's (N = 30) self-reported and psychophysiological emotional responses (facial EMG, electrodermal activity) to a rape scene, and contrasted it with their responses to stimuli depicting nonsexual violence and nonviolent male-female interactions. The associations between men's emotional responses and their endorsement of rape myths, personality, and sexual traits were also examined. Results: Findings revealed that the rape scene resulted in higher negative affect, both subjectively and indexed by increased facial EMG (corrugator activity), than the other two stimuli. Additionally, personality traits of neuroticism, lower agreeableness, lower consciousness, psychopathic tendencies, as well as lower sexual inhibition proneness, were all associated with higher subjective sexual arousal toward rape. Conclusions: Findings add to the literature on the putative emotional processes underpinning the appraisal of sexual violence against women.

Psychometric Properties of the Sexually Aggressive Behaviors Scale: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Construct Validity in a Sample of Portuguese Female College Students.

This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Sexually Aggressive Behaviors Scale (SABS) in a sample of 1,632 heterosexual Portuguese female college students, aged between 18 and 39 years old (M = 22.40; SD = 4.31). The internal structure of the scale was investigated, along with analyses of the internal consistency, and validity evidence in relation to external variables. Participants completed an online survey that was disseminated using Portuguese universities' mailing lists and social networks. Results supported a single factor solution consisting of 10 items. Evidence was gathered in favor of the internal consistency and convergent/discriminant validity in relation to other variables, such as rape myths, psychopathic traits, and perception of intimacy. This study adds to the evidence of the SABS being an appropriate evaluation tool with female college students, allowing the rigorous assessment of sexual violence as committed by community women against a reluctant male partner.

Perceptual reversals and time-response analyses within the scope of decoding a bistable image / Análisis de reversibilidades perceptuales y de tiempos de respuesta en el marco de la decodificación de una imagen biestable

Abstract A bistable image admits two possible interpretations, so that the observer can recognize the two percepts, but never at the same time. The alternations between percepts are called "perceptual reversals". When the observer's position is different from the upright position, the ability to make perceptual alternations may be impaired. Besides, the recognition of the percepts of a bistable image can be a complex reaction time visual task, if it involves recognizing two different conceptual units, added to the fact of having to make a subsequent report. A visual task was performed by 88 people in order to establish whether the perception of Boring's bistable image My girlfriend or my mother-in-law is associated with areas that condition its interpretation. It was assumed that decoding the image and reporting the perceived percept implied a complex reaction time. The task itself was done in front of a fixed 120 Hz eye-tracker, in two opposite body positions. Analyses were made reviewing the association of the percepts with bottom-up modulation areas of the image, and considering ocular fixations made 200 and 250 milliseconds before the time of the report. The records of these fixations were obtained so as to establish which of the two reaction times (200 ms or 250 ms) was involved in the bottom-up modulation process from the moment of ocular fixation to the reports given by the participants. It was concluded that perceptual reversals decrease significantly when head idiotropic axis points in the gravity vector direction, in comparison to the upright position. Likewise, associations between visual percepts and bottom-up modulating areas of the image were found when analyses were done by considering ocular fixations made 250 ms before the moment of the report. Interpreting Boring's bistable image implies a complex visual task in accordance with the results obtained.

Resumen Una imagen biestable admite dos interpretaciones, de modo que el observador reconoce cada percepto, pero nunca los dos al mismo tiempo. Cada alternancia entre uno y otro percepto se conoce con el nombre de "reversibilidad perceptual". Este tipo de percepción, denominada también "biestable", puede implicar dos tipos de modulación, una mediada por las características físicas del estímulo visual y por las áreas de fijación ocular, y otra por información contextual o por conocimiento almacenado en memoria. En ese sentido, las alternancias perceptuales que se manifiestan durante la observación de una imagen biestable pueden estar condicionadas por la manera en que el observador recorre con su mirada el estímulo biestable, de manera tal que es manifiesta una asociación entre específicas áreas de la imagen y el percepto que se reconoce. En efecto, para la imagen biestable de Boring Mi novia o mi suegra, se han establecido áreas de fijación ocular que favorecen los dos posibles perceptos (una mujer joven y una mujer de edad). Algunas de estas zonas elicitan más la interpretación de uno de los perceptos, otras de los dos indistintamente, como se reconoce en estudios precedentes. Por otra parte, se ha encontrado evidencia de que cuando la posición corporal del observador es distinta a la posición erguida (el tronco y la cabeza alineados con la vertical), puede dificultarse la capacidad para hacer las alternancias perceptuales. La rotación del eje idiotrópico de la cabeza con respecto al vector que apunta verticalmente hacia el cénit tiene repercusiones en los procesos perceptuales visuales y también en la manifestación de las reversibilidades perceptuales inherentes a la observación de imágenes biestables. El reconocimiento de los perceptos de un estímulo visual biestable puede suponer una tarea visual de tiempo de reacción complejo (superior a 230 milisegundos), dado que esta implica reconocer dos unidades conceptuales diferentes. A esto se suma el hecho de tener que hacer un reporte posterior que implique eferencias motoras. A los efectos de establecer si la percepción de la imagen biestable Mi novia o mi suegra está asociada a las áreas del estímulo que condicionan su interpretación cuando se asume que su decodificación más su reporte implican un tiempo de reacción complejo, se hicieron análisis de tareas visuales realizadas por 88 personas frente a un eye-tracker fijo de 120 Hz en dos posiciones corporales opuestas (una, con el tronco erguido y el eje idiotrópico de la cabeza apuntando hacia el cénit, y otra con el vector idiotrópico de la cabeza apuntando hacia el suelo en paralelo al eje gravitacional). Se revisó la asociación de los perceptos con las áreas de modulación de la imagen y considerando las fijaciones oculares realizadas 200 y 250 milisegundos antes del momento del reporte, el cual fue realizado por cada participante mediante el uso de los botones de un dispositivo conectado al registrador de datos. Los registros de fijaciones oculares, tomados en dos momentos previos al momento del reporte de los perceptos identificados, fueron considerados para establecer cuál de los dos tiempos de reacción (200 ms o 250 ms) está implicado en el proceso de modulación bottom-up desde el momento de la fijación ocular hasta el reporte dado por los participantes. Se concluyó que las reversibilidades perceptuales disminuyen significativamente cuando el eje idiotrópico de la cabeza apunta en el sentido del vector gravitacional en comparación con la posición erguida. Se encontraron asociaciones entre los perceptos y las áreas de modulación cuando en el análisis se consideran las fijaciones oculares registradas, 250 milisegundos antes de los reportes. La interpretación de la imagen analizada supone una tarea visual compleja de conformidad con los resultados, pues el análisis de asociación entre perceptos reportados y áreas moduladoras que arroja significancia es el que se hace revisando las fijaciones oculares hechas 250 ms antes del registro del reporte de cada percepto.

A behavioral approach to sexual function: testing a moderation mediation model with expression of feelings, sexual self-disclosure and gender.

Little is known about specific intimacy dimensions' role in sexual function. In the current study, we aimed to gain more insight into how expression of feelings and sexual self-disclosure (a mediator) might potentially affect sexual functioning testing a theoretically based moderated mediation model, that uses gender as a moderator. A total of 661 participants, of which 211 were men (31,90%) and 450 were women (68,10%) aged 18-74 years involved in a monogamous committed relationship participated in the study. We used macro PROCESS 3.2 for IBM - SPSS to test simple mediation and moderated mediation models. The data revealed a significant overall effect of expression of feelings on sexual function, supporting that sexual self-disclosure mediates this relationship. We found that gender does not moderate either the relationship between expression of feelings and sexual self-disclosure nor the trajectory between sexual self-disclosure and sexual function. Our results highlight the importance of taking an interpersonal behavioral approach to sexual function, namely one that focuses on communication behaviors. However, these results need to be explored with clinical samples to understand their full potential for clinical interventions within a behavioral paradigm to partnered people's sexual problems.

Sexual Health and the Pandemic Crisis: Testing the Role of Psychological Vulnerability/Protective Factors on Sexual Functioning and Sexual Distress During a Critical Life Period in Portugal.

Recent findings suggest that the current COVID-19 pandemic has a potential negative impact in several areas of life, including sexual health. However, less is known about the psychological dimensions that may work as vulnerability/protective factors for the development of sexual problems in the current pandemic. The current study used a longitudinal design to examine the role played by personality trait factors (neuroticism, extraversion) as well as psychosexual factors (sexual beliefs) in predicting sexual functioning and sexual distress across time during the current pandemic crisis. A total of 528 individuals (337 women) completed a web survey assessing sexual health indicators and psychological factors. The first wave was conducted during the confinement period in Portugal (N = 528) between May and June 2020 and the second four months later (N = 146), when strict confinement rules were over. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine the ability of psychological factors to predict sexual functioning and distress across time, while controlling for age and gender. Results indicated that sexual distress at time point 2 was lower than during confinement, and men had lower levels of sexual functioning post-confinement while no significant difference was observed for women. Moreover, higher levels of neuroticism and age-related beliefs significantly predicted lower sexual functioning as well as higher sexual distress, whereas lower levels of extraversion predicted lower sexual functioning after controlling for age and gender effects. Findings support the role of psychological vulnerability factors to predict sexual problems across time and may have important implications in the prevention and treatment of sexual dysfunctions.

Is Pupil Activity Associated With the Strength of Memory Signal for Words in a Continuous Recognition Memory Paradigm?

Research on pupillometry provides an increasing evidence for associations between pupil activity and memory processing. The most consistent finding is related to an increase in pupil size for old items compared with novel items, suggesting that pupil activity is associated with the strength of memory signal. However, the time course of these changes is not completely known, specifically, when items are presented in a running recognition task maximizing interference by requiring the recognition of the most recent items from a sequence of old/new items. The sample comprised 42 healthy participants who performed a visual word recognition task under varying conditions of retention interval. Recognition responses were evaluated using behavioral variables for discrimination accuracy, reaction time, and confidence in recognition decisions. Pupil activity was recorded continuously during the entire experiment. The results suggest a decrease in recognition performance with increasing study-test retention interval. Pupil size decreased across retention intervals, while pupil old/new effects were found only for words recognized at the shortest retention interval. Pupillary responses consisted of a pronounced early pupil constriction at retrieval under longer study-test lags corresponding to weaker memory signals. However, the pupil size was also sensitive to the subjective feeling of familiarity as shown by pupil dilation to false alarms (new items judged as old). These results suggest that the pupil size is related not only to the strength of memory signal but also to subjective familiarity decisions in a continuous recognition memory paradigm.

Exploring Hypersexuality Pathways From Eye Movements: The Role of (Sexual) Impulsivity.

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is regarded as a key factor underpinning hypersexuality like-conditions. However, impulsivity is a multifaceted construct, and existing research has not been capturing such complexity, which includes the effects of domain-general and domain-specific impulsivity in hypersexuality. AIM: The aim of this study was to test the predictive role of specific impulsivity domains, ie, domain-general and domain-specific, in hypersexuality and its associated consequences. METHODS: Fifty-five men and 58 women went through an emotional Go/-no-Go task (including sexual, high-valence positive, and neutral pictures), aimed at capturing domain-general and domain-specific impulsivity. Ocular metrics were further considered in order to increase the validity of the experimental task, and provide a metric of attention capturing. The study was carried out in a community sample. OUTCOMES: Self-reported (general)impulsivity and commission errors toward high-valence positive and sexual pictures (signaling domain-general and domain-specific impulsivity, respectively) were settled as independent variables, along with Time to First Fixation to stimuli, capturing early/uncontrolled attention. Scores on hypersexuality and negative consequences emerging from hypersexual behavior were settled as outcome variables. RESULTS: Self-reported (general)impulsivity was the only predictor of hypersexuality scores, while negative consequences were best accounted by higher fixation time to sexual pictures. In all, findings did not support the role of domain-specific impulsivity (ie, sexual impulsivity) in hypersexuality. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Findings tentatively suggest that hypersexuality, as captured at the community level, may be best positioned within the general spectrum of psychopathology, thus influencing educational and clinical intervention protocols aimed at addressing hypersexuality related complaints. Protocols would be expected to primarily target general psychopathology phenomena, rather than specific sexual aspects. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study implemented an innovative approach to capture different impulsivity domains, thus adding to previous literature in the field. However, the current study precludes the generalization of findings to clinical samples, where psychological comorbidities are expected to impact results. Further, findings must be read with caution given to limited effect sizes. CONCLUSION: While hypersexuality was related to self-reported (general) impulsivity, findings on the negative consequences associated with hypersexual behavior mirrored response patterns found in depression. Such evidence aligns with the assumption that hypersexuality related phenomena might be better positioned in the psychopathology domain, rather than simply framed as a specific sexual problem. Carvalho J, Rosa PJ, Stulhofer A. Exploring Hypersexuality Pathways From Eye Movements: The Role of (Sexual) Impulsivity. J Sex Med 2021;18:1607-1614.

Ocular fixations modulate audiovisual semantic congruency when standing in an upright position / Las fijaciones oculares modulan la congruencia semántica audiovisual cuando el cuerpo está en una posición erguida

Abstract Introduction: Multisensory audiovisual semantic congruency is the process by which visual information is perceived as integrated to auditory stimuli, because both coincide in terms of simultaneity and semantic correspondence. This study was aimed at establishing whether visual percepts, which semantically correspond to auditory stimuli, are associated with ocular fixations in modulating bottom-up areas while keeping a body posture alignment between the up-direction and the idiotropic axes, as well as in another orientation corresponding to a vectorial opposition between the up-direction and the head idiotropic axis. Method: Two groups (one for each position) were selected from a sample of 88 people. A bistable image was presented on a screen of a fixed 120 Hz eye-tracker device, providing background auditory stimuli so as to establish semantic congruencies and their relations to ocular fixations. Results: It was found that audiovisual semantic congruency is associated with fixations when idiotropic vectors are aligned with the up direction. Fixations manifested in bottom-up modulating areas are not associated with multisensory audiovisual semantic congruency when the head idiotropic vector is parallel with the gravity vector. Eye fixations decrease significantly if the head idiotropic axis is aligned with the gravity vector. Conclusion: It is concluded that body position can affect visual perceptual processes involved in the occurrence of semantic congruency.

Resumen Introducción: La congruencia semántica audiovisual es el proceso por el cual información de una modalidad sensorial visual se percibe como integrada a estímulos auditivos, porque coinciden en términos de simultaneidad y correspondencia semántica. Este estudio tuvo por objeto establecer si los perceptos visuales que se corresponden semánticamente a estímulos auditivos están asociados con las fijaciones oculares realizadas en áreas de modulación bottom-up, tanto en una postura corporal definida por la alineación entre la dirección vertical hacia arriba y los ejes vectoriales idiotrópicos, como en otra orientación definida por una oposición vectorial entre la vertical hacia arriba y el eje idiotrópico de la cabeza. Método: Dos grupos fueron seleccionados (uno por cada posición), tomados de una muestra de 88 personas. Los datos se obtuvieron por medio de un dispositivo fijo de registro de movimientos oculares de 120 Hz. Una imagen biestable se presentó, proporcionando estímulos auditivos de fondo para producir congruencias semánticas y establecer su relación con las fijaciones oculares. Resultados: Se encontró que la congruencia semántica audiovisual está asociada con áreas de fijación ocular cuando los vectores idiotrópicos están alineados con la dirección vertical ascendente. Las fijaciones oculares en áreas de modulación bottom-up no están asociadas con la congruencia semántica audiovisual cuando el vector idiotrópico de la cabeza está alineado con el vector gravitacional. En esta última posición, la cantidad de fijaciones oculares es significativamente menor. Conclusión: La posición del cuerpo puede afectar procesos perceptuales visuales que, a su vez, inciden en el efecto de congruencia semántica.

Validation of a Scale of Religious and Spiritual Coping (RCOPE) for the Portuguese Population.

The scale of religious and spiritual coping (RCOPE) is one of the most used measures in the evaluation of coping strategies based on faith. Despite being validated for the Portuguese language in the Brazilian context, there was still no validation for European Portuguese, which seems important considering the cultural differences. We aimed at examining the validity and reliability of the RCOPE with a Portuguese sample. The present study used cross-sectional data from 1103 volunteers that completed the online survey. After randomly splitting the sample (1:1) for cross-validation purposes, an ordinal exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. McDonald's omega, Cronbach's alpha and mean inter-item correlations were used to determine the internal consistency and homogeneity of the RCOPE. The convergent and discriminant validity of the scale was assessed using standardized factor loadings, the average variance extracted and the squared correlation between latent factors, respectively. In the current study, the final structure of the scale included 17 items aggregated into two correlated latent factors. The Portuguese version of the RCOPE showed acceptable psychometric proprieties, which will be an advantageous instrument for the practice and research of psychology in religion and spirituality.

Pupil dilation reflects the authenticity of received nonverbal vocalizations.

The ability to infer the authenticity of other's emotional expressions is a social cognitive process taking place in all human interactions. Although the neurocognitive correlates of authenticity recognition have been probed, its potential recruitment of the peripheral autonomic nervous system is not known. In this work, we asked participants to rate the authenticity of authentic and acted laughs and cries, while simultaneously recording their pupil size, taken as proxy of cognitive effort and arousal. We report, for the first time, that acted laughs elicited higher pupil dilation than authentic ones and, reversely, authentic cries elicited higher pupil dilation than acted ones. We tentatively suggest the lack of authenticity in others' laughs elicits increased pupil dilation through demanding higher cognitive effort; and that, reversely, authenticity in cries increases pupil dilation, through eliciting higher emotional arousal. We also show authentic vocalizations and laughs (i.e. main effects of authenticity and emotion) to be perceived as more authentic, arousing and contagious than acted vocalizations and cries, respectively. In conclusion, we show new evidence that the recognition of emotional authenticity can be manifested at the level of the autonomic nervous system in humans. Notwithstanding, given its novelty, further independent research is warranted to ascertain its psychological meaning.

Dynamic Risk Factors Characterizing Aggressive Sexual Initiation by Female College Students.

Past research has supported that community women engage in sexually coercive strategies as a means to initiate sexual intercourse with men. However, at the present state of the knowledge, there is a great lack of scientific information on the psychological characterization of these women. In accordance, the aim of the present study was to characterize the psychopathological and personality profile of a sample of college women reporting sexual initiation by coercive approaches, and to predict membership in the categories of sexually abusive strategies that were used by these women. Findings revealed that 32.7% of women reported to have used some kind of sexually coercive strategy in the past; these women were characterized by the endorsement of more psychopathology symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, somatization), and a maladaptive personality style (e.g., neuroticism, impulsiveness, negative trait-affect), in relation to the nonaggressive peers. Also, among the sexually aggressive group, extraversion predicted membership in the category of physical force (i.e., women using physical force to initiate sexual interaction). Findings add to the literature by showing that college women reporting sexually aggressive strategies as a means to initiate sexual intercourse with men present a set of psychopathological and personality features that are qualitatively similar to those features that were previously found to characterize samples of convicted sexual offenders.

Adaptive Non-Immersive VR Environment for Eliciting Fear of Cockroaches: A Physiology-Driven Approach Combined with 3D-TV Exposure.

Non-immersive VR environments are related to the least interactive application of VR techniques, such that interaction with the VR environment can occur commonly by 3D-TV without full immersion into the environment. This study presents how 3D-TV exposure combined with physiology recording can elicit fear of cockroaches among individuals with different levels of fear. Thirty-six participants, set apart into three fear groups (low vs. moderate vs. high), were exposed to VR environment with cockroaches for 4 minutes while recording and using cardiac activity as input to the VR environment. Results revealed significant effects on self-report measures and heart rate between different fear groups. Moreover, participants with higher levels of fear were more likely to trigger cockroaches into the scenario due to their cardiac acceleration. Overall results suggest that our physiology-driven VR environment is valid for fear elicitation while having potential use in therapeutic domain.

Los entornos de RV no inmersivos se constituyen en la aplicación de menor interactividad en relación con las técnicas de realidad virtual, de modo que la interacción con el entorno de realidad virtual puede ocurrir de forma común en televisores 3D (TV-3D), sin que exista una inmersión total en el entorno. Este estudio presenta cómo la exposición a la TV-3D, combinada con el registro fisiológico, puede inducir temor a las cucarachas en personas con diferentes niveles de miedo. Treinta y seis participantes, divididos en tres grupos según su nivel de miedo a las cucarachas, fueron expuestos a un entorno de realidad virtual con cucarachas, durante 4 minutos, mientras se registraba su actividad cardíaca, que fue usada como entrada para el entorno de realidad virtual. Los resultados revelaron efectos significativos en las medidas tomadas por autorreporte y en la frecuencia cardíaca de diferentes grupos temerosos a las cucarachas. Además, los participantes más temerosos son más propensos a desencadenar la aparición de cucarachas en el entorno de realidad virtual, debido a su aceleración cardíaca. Los resultados generales sugieren que nuestro entorno de RV es válido para inducir miedo a las cucarachas, con un potencial uso en el dominio terapéutico.

Gender Differences in the Emotional Response and Subjective Sexual Arousal Toward Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse: A Pupillometric Study.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in sexual response have targeted individuals' emotional appraisal of mainstream erotica. Yet, evidence reveals that men and women commonly endorse non-normative sexual interests, and no evidence has been collected on their emotional responses toward deviant sexual stimuli. AIM: This study was aimed at evaluating gender differences in the emotional responses toward non-consensual sexual intercourse, thus revealing individuals' appraisal of non-normative sexual contents. In order to provide an initial background to interpret findings, this study further tested the association between individuals' emotional responses and sexual self-schemas (SSSs). METHODS: 29 men and 45 women (all heterosexual) were voluntarily exposed to audiovisual presentations of non-consensual/physically forced sexual intercourse in a laboratory context. Markers of emotional response were collected by psychophysiological and self-report means. OUTCOMES: Pupil activation, namely pupil diameter ratio, during exposure to the video clips was captured with an eye tracker. Positive and negative emotions and subjective sexual arousal toward the clips were also collected. In addition, participants responded to the SSS scale assessing individuals' sexual self-perceptions. RESULTS: Findings revealed a small degree of gender differences. While men reported significantly more positive emotions toward the clip displaying a woman as recipient to non-consensual sex, no further differences were found. Also, participants revealed an increased pupil diameter ratio only in the first moments of the video clips. SSSs, including themes of aggression and power, were associated with men's emotional responses toward the clips, while no associations were found in women. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Despite its preliminary nature, the current study provides evidence on the emotional mechanisms underpinning human sexual response, and may eventually translate to conceptualizing models with a focus on non-normative sexual behavior. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: To our best knowledge, this is the first study researching gender specificities in the emotional appraisal of non-consented sex. Current findings may help to understand individuals' deviant sexual interests and establish a framework for future research in this area. However, it is worth noting that lack of previous research prevents the generalization of findings and limits our interpretation of data. CONCLUSION: Findings revealed a small degree of gender differences in the emotional appraisal of non-consensual sexual intercourse, and suggested partial evidence in the relationship between sexual self-perceptions and emotional responses to forced sex. Carvalho J, Rosa PJ. Gender Differences in the Emotional Response and Subjective Sexual Arousal Toward Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse: A Pupillometric Study. J Sex Med 2020;17:1865-1874.

O papel mediador da autorrevelação sexual na relação entre a expressão de sentimentos e a satisfação sexual em adultos heterossexuais / The mediating role of sexual self-disclosure satisfaction in the association between expression of feelings and sexual satisfaction in heterosexual adults

Resumo O objetivo de deste estudo foi testar um modelo de mediação da expressão de sentimentos e a satisfação sexual via autorrevelação, enquanto processo, é uma variável mediadora significativa da associação entre a expressão de sentimentos e a satisfação sexual. A amostra deste estudo foi constituída por 564 participantes (370 mulheres, 65,60%), cisgénero, heterossexuais, numa relação diádica de exclusividade e compromisso. Foram testados dois modelos: um modelo de mediação simples e um modelo de mediação moderada, sendo este último usado para testa a influência do género no modelo de mediação. Os resultados demonstraram que, globalmente, homens e mulheres apresentaram valores médios idênticos na autorrevelação sexual e satisfação sexual; se contudo, na expressão de sentimentos, as mulheres apresentaram valores significativamente superiores. A expressão de sentimentos revelou-se uma variável preditora significativa da satisfação sexual e a autorrevelação sexual como uma variável parcialmente mediadora do modelo. No entanto, o género não modera a expressão de sentimentos e a autorrevelação. O presente estudo demonstra que a expressão de sentimentos e a autorrevelação sexual são importantes aspetos da satisfação sexual de ambos os géneros.

Abstract The present study had the main goal of testing a mediation model of expression of feelings and sexual satisfaction via sexual self-disclosure, trying to understand if the process of sexual self-disclosure is a significant mediator variable of the association between expression of feelings and sexual satisfaction. The sample of this study comprised by 564 cisgender, heterosexual participants (370 women, 65.60%), who were in a dyadic and exclusive relationship of commitment. Two models were tested: a simple mediation model and a moderate mediation model in which the objective is to test the influence of gender on the of mediation. Overall, results showed that men and women had similar mean values for sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction, however, a significantly higher expression of feelings was found in women compared to men. The results demonstrated that expression of feelings was a significant predictor variable of sexual satisfaction and that sexual self-disclosure is partially a mediator variable of the tested model. Gender did not moderate the association between expression of feelings and sexual self-disclosure. The present study shows that expression of feelings and sexual self-disclosure are important aspects of sexual satisfaction in both genders.

Does Pregnancy Play a Role? Association of Body Dissatisfaction, Body Appearance Cognitive Distraction, and Sexual Distress.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is characterized by physical, hormonal, and psychological changes that can affect women's sexuality, and, for those who are in a dyadic relationship, it also affects the couple's sexual relationship. On the other hand, the pregnancy state can function as a protective factor for body dissatisfaction as women embrace a new phase of the life cycle when body changes, namely more body volume, are expected. AIM: To examine whether the effect of body dissatisfaction on sexual distress is mediated by cognitive distraction with the appearance of the body and to test a moderated mediation model of the impact of body dissatisfaction on sexual distress, with pregnancy used as the moderating factor. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 87 cisgender heterosexual women (50.6% pregnant; n = 44), aged between 25 and 40 years old (mean = 31.93; SD = 3.46) involved in an exclusive and committed dyadic relationship completed a web-based questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Validated measures consisted of a validated general measure of body dissatisfaction (global body dissatisfaction scale), sexual distress (adapted from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles), and cognitive distraction based on body appearance during sexual activity (body appearance cognitive distraction scale). RESULTS: Results indicated that body dissatisfaction and sexual distress are related, but they are fully mediated by cognitive distraction. The mediation effect of cognitive distraction did not differ significantly by pregnancy status, after controlling for the trimester of pregnancy. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study advances our understanding of sexuality during pregnancy by evaluating sexual distress and establishing that it is a clinically relevant variable related to body dissatisfaction that deserves attention from healthcare providers. STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: This preliminary study uses a robust method of data analysis to test a theory-based cognitive model of sexual distress in pregnant women; however, no causality can be established. CONCLUSION: The data highlights that pregnancy may not be a protective factor for the impact of body dissatisfaction on sexual distress. Pascoal PM, Rosa PJ, Coelho S. Does Pregnancy Play a Role? Association of Body Dissatisfaction, Body Appearance Cognitive Distraction, and Sexual Distress. J Sex Med 2019;16:551-558.