INTERNACIONAL
Cuando una mirada parece decir una cosa y una palabra otra: qué detectó un estudio sobre ansiedad social
Una mirada que parece decir una cosa y una palabra que sugiere otra pueden provocar una reacción cerebral más intensa en quienes tienen mayores niveles de ansiedad social. Un estudio de la Universidad de Míchigan detectó que esa sensibilidad frente a señales contradictorias aparece en la actividad eléctrica del cerebro, aunque no vuelve más certeras las interpretaciones sobre lo que piensan o sienten los demás.
La investigación, publicada en la revista Psychophysiology, examinó una escena habitual en los vínculos cotidianos: intentar descifrar el sentido de una mirada. El resultado introduce un matiz en una idea extendida sobre la ansiedad social. Prestar más atención a los gestos ajenos no implica necesariamente comprenderlos mejor.
El cerebro detectó con más fuerza las contradicciones sociales
El equipo liderado por Irene Melani estudió a jóvenes adultos con distintos niveles de ansiedad social. Durante la prueba, registró su actividad cerebral mediante electroencefalografía, una técnica que permite medir las señales eléctricas que produce el cerebro.
Los participantes vieron patrones de mirada seguidos por palabras que describían estados mentales, como pensamientos o emociones. Algunas combinaciones eran congruentes con la interpretación habitual de ese gesto. Otras planteaban una discordancia entre la señal visual y el término presentado.
Allí apareció la diferencia. Las personas con más ansiedad social tuvieron una respuesta cerebral mayor cuando la mirada y la palabra no coincidían. El indicador observado se conoce como N400, una señal asociada con el momento en que el cerebro se enfrenta a un significado inesperado o incompatible con lo que anticipaba.
El mismo patrón no surgió en una tarea de control basada en estereotipos sobre animales. Para los investigadores, esa comparación apunta a que la reacción está vinculada con la lectura de los estados mentales de otras personas y no con una mayor detección de contradicciones en términos generales.
Estar más alerta no alcanzó para interpretar mejor las señales
El dato que ordena los resultados está en lo que ocurrió después. Tras la medición de la actividad cerebral, los voluntarios debían juzgar de forma explícita el sentido de las miradas. Quienes tenían niveles más altos de ansiedad social no respondieron con mayor rapidez ni mostraron más aciertos que el resto.
La mayor reacción del N400, por lo tanto, no se tradujo en una ventaja al momento de decidir qué podía significar una señal social. El estudio muestra una distancia entre la sensibilidad automática del cerebro ante una incongruencia y la capacidad consciente para elaborar una interpretación.
Melani, doctora en Psicología por la Universidad de Míchigan y actual investigadora posdoctoral de la Universidad China de Hong Kong, señaló que las personas con más ansiedad social exhibieron una sensibilidad neural más elevada ante el significado transmitido por la mirada, pero esa diferencia no se reflejó en sus juicios posteriores.
La vigilancia sobre los gestos ajenos puede alimentar la preocupación
El trabajo plantea además que atender con intensidad a las expresiones, los ojos o las reacciones de otras personas podría ayudar a advertir señales que pasan inadvertidas para otros. Pero esa misma vigilancia también puede sostener la preocupación sobre una posible evaluación negativa o sobre intenciones que no resultan claras.
Los autores no determinaron si esta respuesta favorece o perjudica los intercambios fuera del laboratorio. El diseño del estudio permite identificar una asociación entre los niveles de ansiedad social y la actividad cerebral registrada durante la tarea, pero no establecer que una condición provoque la otra.
La investigación se realizó con jóvenes adultos y evaluó niveles de ansiedad social. Los autores remarcan que sus resultados no constituyen, por sí solos, una herramienta de diagnóstico clínico ni describen la experiencia de todas las personas con este trastorno.
Una misma mirada puede activar dudas que siguen después del encuentro
La escena que reproduce el experimento no resulta ajena: una persona mira hacia otro lado durante una charla, responde con un gesto difícil de leer o mantiene silencio después de una intervención. En la vida diaria, esas señales rara vez llegan acompañadas por una explicación clara. El cerebro debe completar el sentido a partir del contexto, experiencias previas y expectativas.
En ese terreno de incertidumbre, la ansiedad social puede volver más salientes los detalles que parecen indicar aprobación, desinterés o rechazo. El estudio no sostiene que las personas con este rasgo “lean mal” a los demás. Lo que muestra es algo más específico: su actividad cerebral reaccionó con mayor intensidad cuando dos señales sociales transmitían sentidos que no encajaban entre sí.
Esa precisión importa porque una respuesta N400 más grande no equivale a una mejor capacidad para adivinar pensamientos. El registro capta un proceso rápido, que ocurre antes de que la persona formule una conclusión consciente. Luego intervienen otras variables, como la información disponible, la experiencia y la forma en que cada persona evalúa una situación.
El resultado también ayuda a separar dos momentos que suelen mezclarse. Por un lado, está la detección de una posible contradicción. Por el otro, la interpretación posterior de esa señal. La investigación encontró diferencias en el primero, pero no en el segundo.
Sentir nervios no equivale a tener un trastorno de ansiedad social
La ansiedad ante una exposición, una entrevista laboral, una cita o el ingreso a un grupo nuevo es una experiencia frecuente. El diagnóstico de trastorno de ansiedad social requiere una evaluación profesional y no puede deducirse de una reacción puntual, de la timidez o de sentirse incómodo en determinados encuentros.
El Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental de Estados Unidos explica que el trastorno se relaciona con un miedo intenso a situaciones en las que una persona puede sentirse observada, juzgada o evaluada. Puede incluir la anticipación durante semanas de una conversación, una presentación o una reunión, además de la evitación de actividades que interfieren con la vida laboral, educativa o afectiva.
Entre las manifestaciones posibles figuran rubor, temblores, sudoración, palpitaciones, malestar físico, dificultad para sostener el contacto visual y la sensación de quedarse sin palabras. Sin embargo, estos signos pueden tener otras causas. Para que exista un diagnóstico, la ansiedad debe mantenerse en el tiempo y producir una afectación relevante en la vida cotidiana, según la guía del instituto.
cerebro,neuroplasticidad,neuronas,sinapsis,neurología
A Texas Democratic congressional candidate’s campaign reported more than $4,300 in spending on cookies, Mexican restaurant purchases and beer and wine earlier this year, according to federal election records, drawing renewed attention after a heated debate in which she apologized for a remark about her Republican opponent «making fun of Nazis.»
Katy Padilla Stout, the Democrat nominee for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, reported expenditures totaling $4,338.14 in five transactions in March and April, according to spending details cited in an August report by RedState and records attributed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The reported purchases included $675 for cookies for a campaign event, $1,289.22 at Total Wine and $2,373.92 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana.
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The expenditures have also become a line of attack for Republican Brandon Herrera, whose campaign website showcases the cookie purchase and accuses Stout of using donor funds to pay for the treats.
According to the spending details, the campaign reported a $675 payment dated March 30 with the stated purpose «COOKIES FOR EVENT.» Herrera’s website identifies the payee as Denise Gamboa Zelle and categorizes the expense as a campaign event expenditure.
Additional transactions included $1,089.08 at Total Wine on April 21 and $200.14 the following day, both described as «BEER AND WINE.»
The campaign also reported payments of $2,027.52 and $346.40 to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana on April 27 and April 28, respectively, according to the transaction details.
In a statement to Digital, Stout said the disbursements «were for campaign and fundraising events which were attended by our supporters.»
«Sugar cookies, particularly Texas-shaped ones, hold a special place in Texan culture,» she said. «We bought ours at a local bakery because we believe in supporting small businesses.»
SENATE HOPEFUL’S ‘TREADING WATER’ NARRATIVE CRUMBLES UNDER $500K CAMPAIGN PAYOUTS TO FAMILY
The filings establish that the campaign reported the expenditures but do not establish whether the purchases were improper, whether any were for personal use or how many people attended the associated events.
The spending has attracted criticism from Herrera’s campaign, which maintains an opposition website, The Real Katy Stout.
Under a section labeled «Cookie gate,» the site highlights the $675 expenditure and displays the reported purpose, «COOKIES FOR EVENT.»
The website also criticizes Stout’s positions on immigration, taxes and other issues.
DEM SENATE NOMINEE APOLOGIZES TO JEWISH VOTERS AFTER ‘GENOCIDE’ REMARK SPARKED BACKLASH
The spending questions come as the two candidates compete for a congressional seat representing one of the country’s largest districts along the southern border. During Tuesday’s televised debate in San Antonio, Stout also drew attention for an unusual exchange involving Herrera’s online videos.
«He made millions of dollars after making jokes online, making fun of Nazis, making fun of all of these things that we know he does not need to be doing,» Stout said in a heated moment during the debate.
Herrera responded, «And here I thought making fun of Nazis was a good thing.»
Stout later apologized and clarified her criticism after closing remarks.
«I apologize, I did misspeak,» she said. «He chooses to goose-step on YouTube for clickbait and money so that he can promote that type of ideology. He chooses to shame women.»
The exchange was part of a debate hosted by WOAI/KABB, during which the congressional candidates also sparred over gun rights, immigration and the cost of living.
Stout told Digital «mocking Nazis is fine, and that is not what I objected to, nor is that what my opponent does.»
«I object to content that trivializes veteran suicide, rape, child murder, women’s bodies and the Holocaust, the type of content he churns out,» she added. «You can hear his disgusting commentary straight from his own mouth at HeReallySaidThat.com.
«Do I think he promotes Nazi imagery? Yes. In a video posted 5/24/22, he goose-steps to ‘Erika,’ and touts an MP-40 machine gun. In another video posted 6/23/20, he said ‘for the fatherland’ before firing a Nazi-made STG 44, calling it ‘like a religious experience.’
«Calling it a joke doesn’t change what it is: giving a platform to Nazi symbols and weaponry for clicks and money. In my view, the ‘I’m only joking’ defense is a familiar tactic among neo-Nazi and antisemitic content creators. His content has attracted bipartisan condemnation, including the Republican Jewish Coalition, which called my opponent ‘a goose-stepping extremist who pals around with online Nazis.’»
Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, has emphasized affordability and corruption as central themes of her campaign.
Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and online personality who has adopted «Let’s Go Brandon» as his campaign slogan, has campaigned on border law enforcement, tax reductions and Second Amendment protections.
The two are vying to replace former Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned earlier this year after acknowledging an affair with a staffer.
Texas’ 23rd Congressional District stretches from the San Antonio area toward El Paso and includes hundreds of miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Early voting begins Oct. 19, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3.
The campaign for Brandon Herrera did not immediately respond to Digital’s request for comment.
campaigning, politics, house of representatives politics, texas
INTERNACIONAL
Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city
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Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from surgery in the hospital to urge him to call a ceasefire in the city of Oleshky in Ukraine.
«During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population,» the Vatican said in a statement.
«Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.»
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Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from lung surgery to discuss Ukraine. (Vatican Media via AP; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The situation in Oleshky is dire with no humanitarian food deliveries allowed in the Russian-controlled city since May. It also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional.
The pope was diagnosed with lung cancer Tuesday and underwent a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The 71-year-old remained in the hospital recovering on Friday but seemed to be doing well.
Along with the call, he held Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel, and the Vatican released the first images of him since his surgery, which showed him standing at an altar.
POPE LEO XIV SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LUNG CANCER SURGERY AMID MAJOR RECOVERY MILESTONE
The Vatican on Friday shared pictures of the pope celebrating the Roman Catholic Mass in the hospital where he is recovering. (EV/Vatican Media/ Abaca/Sipa USA/Sipa via AP Images)
His doctors said he showed «continued improvement.»
«His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own,» a medical update signed by his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said.
The pope is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday either from the hospital or the Vatican.
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A man holds a placard last month that says, «Mass starvation in occupied Oleshky. Americans! Make Russia agree to a humanitarian corridor» as he demonstrates outside Kyiv City Hall amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP via Getty Images)
He is also still expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting Nov. 6 as planned.
The Kremlin blames Ukraine for the situation in Oleshky with Putin giving the pope a «detailed explanation regarding the Kyiv regime’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there,» the Kremlin said.
Putin also supports «the Vatican’s intention to help create conditions for ensuring the safety of the local population and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies,» the Kremin added.
pope leo xiv, vladimir putin, ukraine, russia, vatican, wars, world
INTERNACIONAL
Obama’s star power gets a reality check from Black voters in crucial Senate race: ‘It’s a turnoff’
DETROIT — Former President Barack Obama’s endorsement of Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is getting a mixed reception among Black voters in Detroit, with some undecided voters saying the former president’s backing isn’t enough to win them over.
Digital spoke with more than a dozen Black voters in Detroit, most of whom said they plan to back El-Sayed in November, but several undecided voters said Obama’s endorsement had not persuaded them to support the Democrat. The reactions come as Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers seeks to win over disaffected Democrats, including Black voters in Detroit, a key constituency for the party in Michigan.
«Honestly, it’s a turn-off just because I’ve seen too many candidates use him just to manipulate the Democratic vote,» Mercedes, one undecided Black voter, told Digital of Obama’s endorsement.
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«No, not at all,» Anthony, another undecided Black voter, told Digital when asked if Obama’s endorsement had swayed him toward El-Sayed. «What he’s been able to do is from an image standpoint, as far as ‘hope,’ he drove the point there. But as far as really giving back to the community, minority owned businesses, and everyone across the board, I don’t really think he really got there for me … he really hasn’t swayed me one way or another.»
Obama and El-Sayed are preparing to campaign together in Michigan despite the Democratic Senate nominee’s history of sharply criticizing the former president, a political reversal that also drew mixed reactions from Black Detroit voters interviewed by Digital.
Juanita, another Black voter who has yet to commit to El-Sayed, told Digital that, «I don’t want to be pushed to vote for him because somebody else is backing him.»
Rita, a Black voter who said she had recently been homeless, told Digital that she would prefer to do her own research rather than relying on Obama’s endorsement.
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Even some voters who support El-Sayed stated that Obama’s endorsement didn’t do much for them.
«I think that a lot of people put more stock into who the person is than what he does … his yay or nay doesn’t sway me either way,» one such voter told Digital.
Detroit’s African American residents were not uniform in dismissing Obama’s endorsement, however. Roughly half of those who spoke with Digital said the former president’s backing improved their opinion of El-Sayed, though none of those voters claimed that they were undecided before the endorsement.
«For sure, I’m an Obama stan,» Jamel, a Black voter planning to support El-Sayed, told Digital when asked whether Obama’s endorsement made him more likely to back the Democrat.
«Somebody who is endorsed by Obama, I would want to vote for them, because I stand behind the things he endorsed at the time, and I think that Obama’s endorsement means a lot to our community,» Kenya, another Black voter, told Digital.
Detroit’s Black voters were also divided over El-Sayed’s past criticism of Obama, particularly now that the two are preparing to campaign together.
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In a 2012 opinion column, El-Sayed accused then-President Obama of perpetuating war, violating civil liberties and deporting more people than any previous president. He described Obama’s reelection as «no victory,» writing, «it was the rock we chose over the hard place.»
El-Sayed has since walked back those criticisms, praising Obama’s handling of the circumstances he inherited and noting that it is possible to disagree with someone while still admiring them.
«Yeah, I don’t understand how you can endorse somebody that was kind of the opposition when you were in office,» Juanita told Digital. «I mean, that doesn’t make sense.»
«I think I see it as a flip flop, but I also see it as an opportunity to pretty much highlight those things and how he’s actually changed and why their objectives may align now,» Anthony said. «You know, people’s objectives change, their perspectives change.»
Nia, an African American voter who said she intends to support El-Sayed, said that pivots like El-Sayed’s are common in politics, pointing to Vice President JD Vance’s past criticism of President Donald Trump as an example.
Despite mixed reactions to Obama’s endorsement and El-Sayed’s past criticism, several Black voters interviewed by Digital acknowledged the former president’s continuing influence within the Democratic Party.
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«He is. I mean, you can’t deny that he has a gigantic following and a lot of people will follow him and will listen to what he has to say,» Vincent, a Black voter who voted early for El-Sayed, told Digital. «But we’re coming into a point in time now where we want to see results on both sides. We’re not seeing results from either party, so we have to see results. So he may still have a big sway in the party now, but I think party politics is coming to an end kind of quick.»
While Digital’s interviews were limited in number, they echo concerns about El-Sayed’s support among Black voters that have surfaced in other reporting and polling. Pre-primary polling showed stronger support for Rep. Haley Stevens among Black Democratic voters, and questions have persisted about whether El-Sayed can consolidate that support heading into November.
A recent focus group of Black voters held by MS NOW, for instance, found reluctance among Black Michigan voters to cast their lot with El-Sayed. A poll conducted in late September found that just 77% of African American voters were supportive of El-Sayed, significantly below the usual Democratic benchmark for the demographic.
«I think he’s taking advantage [of] we as Black people are Democratic, and he think we gonna vote for him anyway,» one middle-aged Black woman told the MS NOW panel. «And I’m like, ‘No sir, I’m gonna put uncommitted down on that little circle and move on.’ If you’re going to Congress to represent me, I need you to talk about what’s going on in this community.»
While the GOP sees an opportunity here, the party has long attempted to court minority support, with mixed results.
Kandia Milton, a government affairs professional with deep ties to Detroit’s African American community, pushed back against the narrative that El-Sayed would struggle with Black voters in November.
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«The great thing about Abdul is that he’s not new to Detroiters. … And so Detroiters, once they understand his background, understand what he stands for and all the things that he’s done in the past, you see greater enthusiasm for his campaign and his candidacy for Senate,» Milton said of El-Sayed.
«He has been very active in getting out into the community. In fact, tomorrow we have a public meeting with Abdul at our church. Where he will be speaking to the community around, you know, the issues that he stands on and stands firm on.»
Milton characterized Obama’s endorsement of El-Sayed as a «great shot in the arm» for his campaign, citing the former president’s «credibility in our community» and arguing that the endorsement «puts to rest this notion that there’s some tension between him and former President Obama.» Milton wasn’t surprised, however, that some Black voters said Obama’s endorsement alone wasn’t enough to win their support.
«I think so often we take for granted the fact that many of the voters are informed voters, all of them are informed voters, and so it’s not just the fact that Obama supported him, thus I’m going to vote for Abdul. A lot of folks are doing their own research,» Milton told Digital. «They’re very curious about Abdul. They see a lot of him on social media, in the media, national media as well. And so it has raised eyebrows and a lot of curiosity around who this guy is.»
Obama’s endorsement comes as both sides are trying to eke out every possible advantage they can in what is likely to be a very tight race.
Fox News’ most recent Power Rankings has Michigan’s Senate race categorized as a «toss-up,» meaning that neither party has an edge.
A representative for Obama and the El-Sayed campaign did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Digital on Friday.
politics, abdul el sayed, barack obama, detroit, campaigning
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