RESUMO
We study the cognitive processing of visual working memory in three different conditions of memory load and configuration change. Altering this features has been shown to alter the brain's processing in memory tasks. Most studies dealing with this issue have used the verbal-phonological modality. We use complex geometric polygons to assess visual working memory in a modified change detection task. Three different types of backgrounds were used to manipulate memory loading and 18 complex geometric polygons to manipulate stimuli configuration. The goal of our study was to test whether the memory load and configuration affect the correct-recall ratios. We expected that increasing visual items loading and changing configuration of items would induce differences in working memory performance. Brain activity related to the task was assessed through event-related potentials (ERP), during the test phase of each trial. Our results showed that visual items loading and changing of item configuration affect working memory on test phase on ERP component P2, but does not affect performance. However frontal related ERP component-P3-was minimally affected by visual memory loading or configuration changing, supporting that working memory is related to a filtering processing in posterior brain regions.
RESUMO
La empatía es una habilidad relevante en la conducta humana, ya que permite entender y actuar conforme a los estados emocionales de los demás. La empatía puede ser evaluada a través de medidas de auto informe como el Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Objetivo: El presente estudio tuvo como propósito analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del IRI (Pérez-Albéniz, de Paúl, Etxeberría, Paz, & Torres, 2003) en universitarios, para su adaptación al contexto mexicano. Material y Método: El IRI se aplicó a 729 estudiantes de pregrado de diversas facultades de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Resultados: Los resultados indican que la adaptación del IRI muestra una adecuada consistencia interna (α=.81), y el análisis confirmatorio corroboró la estructura teórica de cuatro factores, similar a la adaptación española y la versión original. Asimismo, se presentaron diferencias de género en las cuatro dimensiones. Conclusión: El estudio proporciona una adecuada consistencia interna del IRI para ser utilizado en población mexicana con características similares a los de esta investigación. Sin embargo, se sugiere corroborar su validez externa y ampliar la muestra en otras zonas del país para generalizar su adaptación en todo el territorio mexicano
Empathy is a relevant skill in human behavior, since it allows us to understand and act according to the emotional states of others. Empathy can be evaluated through self-report measures such as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the IRI (Pérez-Albéniz, de Paúl, Etxeberría, Paz, & Torres, 2003) in university students, for their adaptation to the Mexican context. Material and Method: The IRI was applied to 729 undergraduate students of various faculties of the Benemérita Autonomous University of Puebla. Results: The results indicate that the IRI adaptation shows an adequate internal consistency (α = .81), and the confirmatory analysis corroborated the theoretical structure of four factors, similar to the Spanish adaptation and the original version. Likewise, there were gender differences in the four dimensions. Conclusion: The study provides an adequate internal consistency of the IRI to be used in the Mexican population with characteristics similar to those of this research. However, it is suggested to corroborate its external validity and expand the sample in other areas of the country to generalize its adaptation throughout the Mexican territory