{"title":"Agency and Intentionality","authors":"Michael Tomasello","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101501","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature cannot build organisms biologically prepared for every contingency they might possibly encounter. Instead, nature builds some organisms to function as feedback control systems that pursue goals, make informed behavioral decisions about how best to pursue those goals in the current situation, and then monitor behavioral execution for effectiveness. Nature builds psychological agents, and these are of several different types depending on the nature of the self-regulatory architecture involved. Humans have evolved to create joint and collective agencies with others, which has enabled them to construct the unique cultural niches within which all of their most complex cognitive and social capacities develop.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"62 ","pages":"Article 101501"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alex van Hoorn , Joop Jonckheer , Steven Laureys , Stefaan Six
{"title":"Why neurophysiological monitoring should be included to assess patient comfort during continuous sedation until death","authors":"Alex van Hoorn , Joop Jonckheer , Steven Laureys , Stefaan Six","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101485","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Terminally ill patients may experience refractory symptoms. Continuous sedation until death (CSD) can relieve the intractable suffering. In CSD, behavioral observational scales alone are predominantly used to assess comfort and titrate sedation and analgesia accordingly. Unlike observational scales, neurophysiological monitoring is a nonmotor response–based assessment of consciousness, discomfort, and pain.</div></div><div><h3>Aim of the review</h3><div>The primary aim of this narrative review is to discuss neurophysiological monitoring in relation to behavioral observational scales in CSD.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Motor response–based observational scales in CSD are highly unreliable, with a risk of over- and under-medication. Neurophysiological monitoring may contribute to an increased accuracy in assessing consciousness, pain, and comfort. Additional information can lead to more informed decision-making and facilitate patient-tailored treatment approaches. In CSD, processed electroencephalography and analgesic nociception index monitoring may have practical limitations and habitual and cultural reservations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Neurophysiological monitoring during CSD is methodologically superior to the current practice using solely observational sedation or pain scales primarily based on motor responsiveness. An additional neurophysiological monitoring approach to assess consciousness, awareness, comfort, and pain can improve CSD quality. Practical or technological hesitation and reluctance toward clinical acceptability of implementing neuromonitoring should be overcome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"62 ","pages":"Article 101485"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143529866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A critical reflection on behavioural difficulty: proposing a barrier-first approach","authors":"Elliot J Sharpe, Linda Steg","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101500","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101500","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When someone tells us that they care about protecting the environment, should we believe them? Some say we can only tell how motivated someone is to protect the environment by looking at their overt pro-environmental behaviour. The behavioural difficulty approach argues that the more difficult and costly the pro-environmental behaviour someone does, the more they care about protecting the environment. In contrast, we argue that when we do not account for people’s abilities to meet behavioural costs based on the context they live in (e.g. housing situation) and their access to resources (e.g. disposable income), we make errors in estimating pro-environmental motivation from overt pro-environmental behaviour, which are likely to be particularly detrimental for those who are already disadvantaged (e.g. on low incomes). We propose a barrier-first approach, focusing on what prevents people from acting on their (strong) motivation to protect the environment and looking to remove those barriers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"62 ","pages":"Article 101500"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143519691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Genetically encoded dopamine sensors: principles, applications, and future directions","authors":"Hui Dong , Zhenghua Wang , Yulong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dopamine is a crucial neuromodulator involved in various physiological and pathological states. Detecting dopamine dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution serves as a fundamental basis for understanding the multifaceted functions of dopamine. Recently, emerging genetically encoded dopamine fluorescent sensors enable high spatiotemporal resolution <em>in vivo</em> detection of dopamine dynamics within the living brain. Here, we summarize the principles and features of genetically encoded dopamine sensors. We then highlight the advantages of these dopamine sensors through studies that have utilized them. Finally, we present perspectives on future directions for the development of next-generation dopamine sensors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"62 ","pages":"Article 101489"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143453843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The prediction illusion: perceptual control mechanisms that fool the observer","authors":"Warren Mansell, Tauseef Gulrez, Michael Landman","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A key claim in the philosophy of science is the inseparable relationship between theory and observation. Whilst measurement of an organism’s actions is fundamental to building and testing accurate theoretical models, the interpretation of the activity is itself subject to the perspective of the researcher, which can be manifested as biases and illusions. We introduce four types of illusion (environmental, self-caused, self-affected, perceptual) that appear to require prediction and have supported the development of probabilistic predictive processing models. Yet, in each case, we review recent evidence in which a nonpredicting system leads to the same observations. In each case, the alternative architecture is a system that implements the dynamic control of ongoing, currently perceived variables through varying its actions to counteract disturbances — a perceptual control system. We propose that predictive processing is probably limited to a smaller class of observations, such as long-term planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"62 ","pages":"Article 101488"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143446021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Neurostimulation to improve cognitive flexibility","authors":"Elizabeth M Sachse , Alik S Widge","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101484","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101484","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cognitive flexibility, the capacity to adapt behaviors in response to changing environments, is impaired across mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Cortico-striatal-cortical circuits are integral to cognition and goal-directed behavior, and disruptions in these circuits are linked to cognitive inflexibility in mental illnesses. We review evidence that neurostimulation of these circuits can improve cognitive flexibility and ameliorate symptoms and that this may be a mechanism of action of current clinical therapies. Furthermore, we discuss how animal models can offer insights into the mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility and effects of neurostimulation. We review research from animal studies that may, if translated, yield better approaches to modulating flexibility. Future research should focus on refining definitions of cognitive flexibility, improving detection of impaired flexibility, and developing new methods for optimizing neurostimulation parameters. This could enhance neurostimulation therapies through more personalized treatments that leverage cognitive flexibility to improve patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"62 ","pages":"Article 101484"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143235655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dynamical measures of developing neuroelectric fields in emerging consciousness","authors":"William J Bosl , Jenny R Capua Shenkar","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101480","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101480","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human consciousness emerges over time. From the moment of conception, a process of neurodevelopment and complexification begins, generating and supporting a neuroelectric field that can be quantified by computational methods from dynamical systems theory. In the early embryo, genetically driven cellular processes are mediated by endogenous electromagnetic fields and intrinsic electrical fields produced by migrating neurons. In the ambient cellular environment, these interactions influence each other, impacting neural migration. The emergence of Theory of Mind, often considered a hallmark of conscious awareness, is accompanied by increasing neural connectivity, neuroelectric field complexity, and more integrated information processing. Neurodegeneration in old age and the often-associated decline in conscious awareness correlate closely with changes in the dynamical complexity of the neuroelectric field. Monitoring trajectories of the neuroelectric field and its complexity changes through the lifespan presents a developmental perspective and empirical correlation for studying the emergence and decline of human consciousness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 101480"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143152539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A review of consistency in climate action: The role of social interactions and institutions in cultivating positive behavioral spillover","authors":"Anandita Sabherwal , Gregg Sparkman","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address the multifaceted problem of climate change, individuals must perform a range of individual and collective actions. To aid this process, research has sought to understand behavioral spillover — how one action impacts the likelihood of performing other actions. Recent theorizing emphasizes environmental identity, social norms, and affect and efficacy as key psychological mechanisms underlying positive spillover. Yet, spillover effects remain small and heterogenous. This review posits that driving positive spillover at the scale needed to mitigate climate change requires social and societal scaffolding. Emergent research leverages collective processes, including interpersonal and social interactions and institutional practices, to further amplify these psychological mechanisms and bolster positive behavioral spillover. For instance, workplaces can prompt the internalization of in-role pro-environmental behavior, resulting in positive spillovers to advocacy and household behaviors. Embedding psychological processes of behavioral spillover within collective processes presents a promising avenue to drive spillover between individual and collective climate actions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 101475"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143152540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From individual to collective climate emotions and actions: a review","authors":"Tobias Brosch","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101466","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101466","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art of our knowledge about group-based and collective emotions and their link to collective climate action. I first review the mechanisms underlying collective emotional phenomena, followed by a discussion of the role of emotions in psychological theories of collective action. Then, I survey the empirical literature on the link between emotions and collective climate action, including laboratory and online research as well as field studies with participants of real-world collective action. The evidence illustrates how group-based and collective emotions can override self-interested utility calculations and perceptions of individual powerlessness, help spread information about climate change, and increase group cohesion and identification, thus motivating collective climate action from policy support to participation in mass demonstrations and civil disobedience movements. Emotions also can reduce willingness to act, induce complacency, and emphasize and reinforce existing group divisions on the topic of climate change. To conclude, I discuss limitations and avenues for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 101466"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enabling people-centric climate action using human-in-the-loop artificial intelligence: a review","authors":"Ramit Debnath , Nataliya Tkachenko , Malay Bhattacharyya","doi":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate action includes a variety of efforts to address climate change and its impacts. The achievement of collective agreement by the public to engage in climate actions presents complexity, as it is influenced by political, ideological, and economic factors and faces resistance from powerful industries. With the progression of digitalisation, large amounts of user-generated data are available, opening new pathways to understand human behaviour in relation to climate action using artificial intelligence (AI). Integrating human knowledge and perception into AI systems via human-in-the-loop (HITL) frameworks can improve contextualised decision-making while mitigating biases. This review explores how HITL design can support AI for climate action at both micro- and macro-scale, especially synthesising instances where HITL systems provide a pathway for ethical alignment, integrating diverse human perspectives to ensure that AI-driven climate solutions respect cultural and social values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56191,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 101482"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}