Archive for March, 2007
Nasal Spray improves Mind Reading
This paper from the University of Zurich shows some intriging results about the improving effect of Oxytocin on mind reading capacities in humans. this study shows that a dose of intranasally administered oxytocin is sufficient to increase the ability in affective mind-reading (interpreting subtle social cues from the eye region of other individuals).
A double-blind placebo-controlled [...]
e-mail -vs- F2F communication: the concept of oneness.
Let me point to this post reporting studies about persuasion using e-mail versus face to face (F2F) communication and the gender effect. The OP reports the results of Guadagno & Cialdini (2002) suggesting:
…that men seem more responsive to email because it bypasses their competitive tendencies. Women, however, may respond better in face-to-face encounters because they [...]
Sterling and the city of the future
An interesting video pointed by Doctorow on boingboing where Bruce Sterling is explaining us his vision of the future city taking the example of Belgrade and his retro flavour.
Why do I blog this? Actually the future of city is a topic that fit better Séverin-Marie’s tastes. Seing this video is funny because It assess my [...]
The simulation theory of Aesthetics.
Chris from the Mixing Memory pointed me to this paper that provides a new neuroesthetic explanation of artistic judgment. They use the stipulated role of the mirror neurons of the simulation theory in empathetic feelings as a basis. Here is the abstract:
The implications of the discovery of mirroring mechanisms and embodied simulation for empathetic [...]
Are you beautiful?
recently read on Digg:
TWO Australian scientists have invented computer software that distinguishes a beautiful face from a less attractive one.
Their invention uses facial measurements, related to ratios and images of models, actors and some 200 women from around the world.
After a photograph of a woman’s face is put into the program, it returns a beauty [...]
Kaneva: A 3D MySpace.
Few Weeks ago, I heard about Kaneva on CNN tech-show and now TechKrunch reports the new 3D version of the 2D Myspace like social-networking software.
Kaneva is a new social network that extends the concept of MySpace into a virtual world. Although you’ve been able to sign up for a 2D profile on Kaneva they recently [...]
Most Published Research Findings Are False
An intersting article in PloS journal points the issue of research findings veracity. The conclusion is that even what could be called “serious sciences” such as genetics and medical research, most of the studies are based on false results.
In a recent article in PLoS Medicine, John Ioannidis quantified the theoretical basis for lack of replication [...]
Music and personality
By exploring Cognitive Daily, I found this post that pointed me to this interesting paper called “The Do Re Mi’s of Everyday Life: The Structure and Personality Correlates of Music Preferences“. Here we have the abstract:
The present research examined individual differences in music preferences. A series of 6 studies investigated lay beliefs about music, the [...]
Artists look different
Saw here this intersting work using Eye-tracking technologies assessing the way artists explore pictures compared to neophyts.
Stine Vogt and Svein Magnussen showed 16 pictures including these two to trained artists and non-artists (psychologists) enrolled in Norway’s top graduate programs in their respective disciplines, using eye-tracking cameras and software to monitor where they looked. The [...]
Dyadic Analysis definitions #2
Distinguishability:
The main question here is if the 2 members of the pair could be distinguished by some variables. Members could be distinguished through some variables such as “gender†in heterosexual dating-couples, “birth order†in siblings etc. In some other cases, the 2 partners are not distinguishable (e.g. identical twins; same-sex friends).
“Dyadic members are considered [...]
