Vincenzo Natale

Publications (62) View all

• Article: The Mechanisms of Space-Time Association: Comparing Motor and Perceptual Contributions in Time Reproduction.

  Marco Fabbri, Nicola Cellini, Monica Martoni, Lorenzo Tonetti, Vincenzo Natale
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  ABSTRACT: The spatial-temporal association indicates that time is represented spatially along a left-to-right line. It is unclear whether the spatial-temporal association is mainly related to a perceptual or a motor component. In addition, the spatial-temporal association is not consistently found using a time reproduction task. Our rationale for this finding is that, classically, a non-lateralized button for performing the task has been used. Using two lateralized response buttons, the aim of the study was to find a spatial-temporal association in a time reproduction task. To account for the perceptual component, reference and target stimuli were presented in different spaces through four experiments. In all experiments, a Spatial-Temporal Association of Response Codes (STEARC) effect was found and this effect was not modulated by the spatial position of both reference and target stimuli. The results suggested that the spatial-temporal association was mainly derived from the spatial information provided by response buttons, reflecting a motor but not visuospatial influence.
  Cognitive Science A Multidisciplinary Journal 04/2013; · 2.59 Impact Factor
• Article: Month of birth and mood seasonality: A comparison between countries in the northern and southern hemispheres.

  Lorenzo Tonetti, Taciano L Milfont, Benjamin A Tilyard, Vincenzo Natale
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  ABSTRACT: A previous study has reported a significant month-of-birth effect on mood seasonality in the northern hemisphere. Higher mood seasonality was observed for university students born during spring or summer months (long photoperiod) compared to those born during autumn or winter months (short photoperiod). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesized photoperiod effect by comparing the correlation between month of birth and mood seasonality in two countries located at the opposite poles of the terrestrial globe: Italy (northern hemisphere) and New Zealand (southern hemisphere). On the basis of the photoperiod-at-birth hypothesis, we expected to find higher mood seasonality among individuals born in months with longer photoperiods in both countries. The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was administered to 1514 young adults (1088 women, 426 men; 1027 Italians, 487 New Zealanders), with ages ranging from 18 to 34 years. The Global Seasonality Score, which is a measure of mood seasonality, was calculated from the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. A significant overall month-of-birth effect was observed on the Global Seasonality Score, but only for men. Men born in April and August (corresponding in Italy to a long photoperiod, in New Zealand to a short photoperiod) had higher mood seasonality than those born in February, regardless of country. A significant month-of-birth effect was found on mood seasonality, but results do not support the hypothesis based on the photoperiod effect.
  Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 04/2013; 67(3):133-8. · 2.13 Impact Factor
• Article: Validazione della versione Italiana del Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). / An Italian version of Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ).

  Vincenzo Natale, Elena Danesi, Paolo Scapellato
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  ABSTRACT: Background: the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ -- Rosenthal, Bradt & Wehr, 1984) is the most frequently used self-evaluation instrument for identifying the sensibility to seasonal changes. The aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of the SPAQ. Method: a sample of 1110 subjects (Exp. 1) and 18 subjects (Exp. 2) was administered the SPAQ. In Exp. 2, subjective evaluation of mood (by Global Vigor Affect Scale) was collected monthly for a whole year. Results: as regards the first experiment the good psychometric properties reported by the authors of SPAQ are replicated (descriptive statistics, internal consistency, inter-item correlation). As regards the second experiment the validation with external criterions (seasonal changes of mood levels) was on the whole significant. Conclusion: on the grounds of the patterns of the results we believe that the Italian version of SPAQ may be useful both in the fields of clinical and experimental psychology also for Italian population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
  Testing Psicometria Metodologia. 10/2012;
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  Available from: Vincenzo Natale

  Article: Season of birth and handedness in young adults.

  Lorenzo Tonetti, Ana Adan, Hervé Caci, Marco Fabbri, Vincenzo Natale
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  ABSTRACT: This study explored the relationship between season of birth and handedness, taking into account gender and nationality variables. Young adults from three countries (2120 females and 1353 males; 877 Spanish, 2184 Italian, and 412 French), aged from 18 to 30 years, filled the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI). According to the literature, the percentage of left-handed participants in the whole sample was 9.30%. The distribution of left- and right-handed participants was not significantly different among the seasons of birth. The present data do not support a significant season of birth effect on handedness in young adults.
  Laterality 09/2012; 17(5):597-601. · 1.13 Impact Factor
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  Available from: Barbara Penolazzi

  Article: Circadian preference and the big five: the role of impulsivity and sensation seeking.

  Paolo Maria Russo, Luigi Leone, Barbara Penolazzi, Vincenzo Natale
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  ABSTRACT: In the present study, the relationship between personality dimensions and Circadian Preference was evaluated using a structural equation modeling approach. Participants (N = 390; 53.8% female, mean age: 26.8 ± 8.1 yrs) completed measures of Circadian Preference, Impulsivity, Sensation Seeking, and the Big Five factors. A mediation structural equation model assessed the direct and indirect effects of the Big Five factors on Circadian Preference. The results showed that Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking were significantly associated with Eveningness, whereas no significant direct effects of the Big Five traits were detected once the effects of Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking were taken into account. (Author correspondence: p.russo@unibo.it ).
  Chronobiology International 08/2012; 29(8):1121-6. · 4.03 Impact Factor