Emozioni e interocezione. Il ruolo dell’integrazione intersensoriale secondo la prospettiva neurofisiologica

[Autom. eng. transl.] Body processes are intrinsically connected to socio-cognitive and affective functions in the human being and the degree to which the interceptive signals reach self-awareness varies from person to person. Previous empirical evidence suggests an interdependence between Interocceptive Sensitivity (SI) and empathic cognitive and affective response, according to which an accurate perception of one's own bodily states and their representation can shape both affective and cognitive empathy, which contribute to inferences on the emotional state of others. Furthermore, the ability to identify one's internal bodily signals contributes strongly to self-awareness and is known to interact with the underlying arousal levels. Previously, an increase in SI has been associated with an increase in arousal levels and greater cardiac deceleration in response to emotional stimuli that can induce an empathic experience. In addition, SI, understood as a subjective experience of emotions, and cardiovascular arousal share the activation of some associative neural areas, including the anterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex. This component can therefore modulate both the subjective experience of emotions and the subject's ability to distinguish the "acting self" from the "others" in multisensory contexts. The main objective of this contribution is to draw a parallel between man-man interaction and man-environment interaction, understood as an interaction between complex systems that influence each other and in which man acts guided by his own experiences interceptive and emotional, as well as from their motivational drives. Thanks to the experimental evidence deriving from studies that intercept basic and applicative research contexts, the role of sensory integration and its effect on emotional and cognitive experiences in different areas, such as ambient intelligence (AmI) and decision-making processes in purchase contexts. These contexts have been analyzed from a dual perspective, that is, with a first focus on the decision-making phase of exploration of a home automation environment and an exhibitor in a supermarket; 2) with attention paid to the use of the outcome deriving from one's choice, in terms of modifying the environment on the basis of one's own commands and the use of the chosen product. The application of wireless neuroscientific tools (ie, electroencephalography, biofeedback, eyetracker) on groups of healthy participants allowed to deepen the neurophysiological, psychophysiological responses and the visual behavior involved in the use of different sensory channels during the cognitive and emotional processes associated with interaction with complex systems and artifacts.