_svg.png){kind=small}
ACTIVE STUDIES - BICOCCA UNIVERSITY
Or contact us for more information.
Each study proposes a different research objective, and an ad hoc methodology.
3
m.
Effects of prenatal rhythmic stimulation on rhythm perception
The aim of the study is to test whether prenatal rhythmic stimulation promotes 3-month-old infants' ability to perceive the rhythmic structure present in acoustic stimulation.
Three groups of infants will participate in the study:
-
a group of children whose mothers participated in a prenatal multisensory rhythmic stimulation protocol during the last trimester of pregnancy;
-
a group of children whose mothers took part in a relaxing stimulation protocol during the last trimester of pregnancy;
-
a control group consisting of children whose mothers did not participate in any prenatal stimulation protocol.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
3-5 m.
Mother-baby interaction and exploration of faces
The study aims to investigate how the interaction between mother and child influences attention to faces.
To do this, we will ask both mom and dad to fill out an online questionnaire.
After that, in the lab, we will have both the baby/toddler and, immediately after, the mom watch alternating faces for a few minutes on a screen and record eye movements using a camera and the eye-tracking technique.
Finally, we will ask the mother to hold and cradle both her baby and a baby doll for a few seconds
Eye-tracking (ET)
6
m.
Perception of hand structure
Using two combined techniques, eye movement recording and EEG (cortical electrical activity detection), the study aims to investigate how children perceive hand structure. Images of some hands are presented on a screen where each finger is moved to a different position from its original position. By recording where the child looks, we investigate whether there is early perception of hand structure.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
8
m.
The effects of social interactions on attentional processes
The aim of the study is to investigate how social interactions affect the way children process social and nonsocial stimuli. To do this, the child/participant will first play ball together with two co-workers while we record through three small sensors affixed to the chest his or her heartbeat (ECG) and, subsequently, see images of faces alternating on a screen. Through eye-tracking technique we will investigate where the child looks on the screen.
Electrocardiography (ECG)
3-4
m.
Does affective touch increase body awareness?
Through the technique of EEG (electroencephalography), the project aims to investigate whether children are able to grasp the affective nature of others' tactile experiences and whether affective tactile touch is able to modulate the response to somatosensory stimulation and the child's tactile awareness
Electroencephalography (EEG)
13
m.
Social interactions and affective touch
L'obiettivo dello studio è quello di indagare come il tocco possa modulare gli effetti delle interazioni sociali. Per fare ciò, il/la piccolo/a partecipante giocherà dapprima insieme al proprio genitore liberamente e, successivamente, a palla insieme a due collaboratrici. Durante queste attività registreremo attraverso tre piccoli sensori applicati sul torace il battito cardiaco (ECG) sia del genitore che del bambino. Infine, vedranno insieme delle immagini astratte su uno schermo mentre il genitore somministrerà dei piccoli tocchi sul braccio del/la bambino/a.
Electrocardiography (ECG)
7-10 m.
Rhyme processing in the first year of life
The study aims to investigate whether children possess some form of sensitivity to rhyme and whether they can use this information to name objects. We will present them with some pictures on a screen while making them listen to made-up words, some of which rhyme with each other. Through eye-tracking technique we will investigate how children process and integrate these stimuli by recording eye movements. There will then be a brief moment at the table where we will observe how children interact with objects in a play situation.
Eye-tracker (ET)