Cognition and Perception Commons^™

Eye Tracking In The Realm Of Neuroscience, Darius Williams, Lisa K. Straub, Chelsea Sawyers, James M. Bjork Phd

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Extremity And Valence On The Availability Heuristic, Joel W. Roberts

Psychology Theses - Archive

This thesis explored the impact of extreme information on availability heuristics, specifically focusing on the differences between extreme negative and extreme positive information. Previous research has only used negative information to test extremes in availability heuristics. This project replicated and expanded upon a study by Rothbart et al. (1978) which only used extreme negative information. These studies replicated the extreme negative information experiment as well as having conditions with mildly positive and extreme positive information, and a condition with both extreme negative and extreme positive information. Results from these studies indicate that only extreme negative information has an effect on …

Employers’ Perceptions Of And Experiences Working With Residency-Trained Athletic Trainers, C E. Welch Bacon, J M. Cavallario, L E. Eberman, J J. Wetherington, F Q. Pecha, B L. Van Lunen

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) who complete accredited residency training in a specialty area are considered clinical specialists, yet more information is needed to determine whether they are practicing within the higher capacity expected of a specialist. While some quantitative evidence demonstrating the value of residency-trained ATs on patient satisfaction, patient throughput, and the financial impact specific to the physician practice setting exists, residency training is not limited to only ATs who want to provide services in physician practice. Moreover, as accredited athletic training residency programs continue to emerge, it is increasingly important to understand key stakeholders’ perceptions of residency-trained ATs …

Unveiling The Pathways: The Effects Of Mindfulness And Recreational Psychedelic Experiences On Well-Being; The Mediating Roles Of Non-Dual Awareness, Pro-Sociality, And Meaning In Life., Sebastian Ehmann

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Contemplative practices and psychedelic experiences have demonstrated significant benefits for psychological health and general human flourishing. Both practices share neuroscientific (i.e., cognitive flexibility), psychological (i.e., insight), and phenomenological (i.e., self-loss) overlap, but the combined effects remain underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the influence of drug-induced ego-dissolution and dispositional mindfulness on subjective well-being while testing the potential mediating role of compassion, meaning in life, and non-dual awareness (NDA; awareness without the typical subject-object dichotomy). The initial hypothesis posited that selfless experiences and mindfulness cultivate non-dual embodied cognition, leading to increased compassion and meaning and, in turn, …

The Effect Of Background Colors And Associations On Perceived Attractiveness, Help-Seeking, And Helping Behavior, Zeina Y. Ghanem

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to understand how background colors influence an individual's perception of another person's interpersonal attractiveness, along with how these factors affect an individual's social support giving and seeking behavior for each presented image. The study aims to explore the effects of color, attractiveness, color associations, and prosocial behaviors. Participants (N = 278) consented to take a 10-minute online survey. The background colors used were red and blue with varied saturation levels (light, medium, and dark) and a white control background. There were no significant effects of background colors and saturation lightness levels found for …

Neurocinematics And Empathy: How Cognitive Neuroscience Enhances Our Understanding Of Emotional Responses Of Film, Kira Trinity

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Cinema is a medium that is beloved around the globe since its inception over a century ago. There have been speculations on how it is that cinema works, from editing to emotional processing of the story, but only recently have we begun to explore the inner workings of cinematic impact on the brain. In this paper we will review research on cinematic impact and define cinematic editing, discuss the birth of “neurocinematics”, highlight what we have observed with regards to neuroimaging and empathy when viewing films, and speculate on how our responses to cinema may be driven by the Mirror …

Variability In Perceptions Of Complementary Health Approaches Among Graduate Student Trainees, Delaney C. Bilodeau

Theses and Dissertations

Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) encompass a diverse range of practices which are often used both independently and alongside conventional medical treatments. Understanding how graduate students training in different fields perceive CHAs is important because these professional trainees will go on to occupy roles as healthcare practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and consumers. This study used sequential rank agreement methods (Ekstrøm, Gerds, & Jensen, 2019) to investigate variations in perceptions of CHAs in a sample of graduate students (N = 416) from 140 possible training programs. Ratings of CHA familiarity, perceptions of CHA legitimacy, and willingness to recommend CHAs were compared …

Male Caregiver Strain: The Mental Effects Of Being An Informal Caregiver For A Family Member With Dementia And Alzheimer's Disease, Alessandra M. Barillas, Elijah Rammel B. Borja

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients' primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information …

Male Caregiver Strain: The Mental Effects Of Being An Informal Caregiver For A Family Member With Dementia And Alzheimer's Disease, Alessandra M. Barillas, Elijah Rammel B. Borja

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients' primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information …

Burnout In Athletic Training: Measured By Survey In Most Common Settings For Athletic Trainers, R Johnson Krug, N Sand, S Brooks, T Smith

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Burnout is a common problem in athletic training, affecting both athletic trainers (ATs) and the athletes they serve. Athletic trainers are responsible for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries. Long work hours, often including evenings and weekends, as well as frequently under pressure to meet the demands of athletes, coaches, and parents. Athletic trainers face numerous stressors that contribute to burnout. These stressors may include heavy workloads, lack of control over their schedules, time pressures, and pressure to produce positive outcomes. Athletic trainers may also experience emotional and physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal …

Educational Outcomes Of The Dat: A Document Review And Thematic Analysis, S H. Orr, L E. Eberman, M J. Rivera

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: The transition in athletic training education allows for unique and new opportunities in postprofessional education. The Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree is one of the postprofessional education pathways that could provide athletic trainers advancement in clinical practice, practice leadership, and scholarship. However, there is no data on the educational outcomes of DAT programs and what graduates should expect from their experiences. The aim of this study was to explore whether DAT programs are delivering curricula consistent with the development of clinical scholars with advanced knowledge and skills that are needed for high-level patient care and literature relative to …

Exploring The Work-Related Quality Of Life Of Athletic Trainers In Physician Practice, N T. Anderson, K E. Games, J P. Young, M J. Rivera, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction/Context: The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) identified the vitality of the athletic training profession as a research priority, which includes exploring solutions to improve work-life balance. There is a common perception that athletic trainers (AT) working in the physician practice setting have lower work-life conflict and increased job satisfaction, but no data to support this belief. Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) has been studied in some healthcare settings but has not been studied in any athletic training clinical practice setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the WRQoL of athletic trainers in physician practice. Methods: A …

Don Griffin And The Early Days Of Cognitive Ethology, Gordon M. Burghardt

Animal Sentience

Carolyn Ristau’s trilogy provides a comprehensive account of Donald Griffin’s life and work, with the third volume focusing on cognitive ethology. This commentary focuses primarily on my own interactions with Don, particularly during my sabbatical at Rockefeller University when his campaign for cognitive ethology was gaining momentum. I recount my research on reptile behavior and cognition, my collaboration with Don and others at RU, and my role in advancing his ideas while contextualizing them within 19th-century comparative psychology. I also discuss developments in cognitive ethology, including critical anthropomorphism, the challenges of integrating subjective experience into behavioral science, and Griffin’s lasting …

Fantasia On A Theme Of Purpose: Using A Music-Guided Scribble Technique To Support Meaning-Making In Older Adult Retiree Musicians, Sophia R. Smith

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Within the population of older adults, overall well-being corresponds with the ability to self-actualize and seek meaning, but age-related changes combined with ageism and isolation can negatively impact this capacity to maintain a sense of purpose, especially following retirement. It may be that retired musicians are especially vulnerable to this experience later in life due to a loss of the primary method of creative engagement and community that is facilitated by musical performance in a group setting. Integrating phenomenological and ethnographic approaches, this study utilized a qualitative design to understand how music-guided art-making incorporating the scribble technique could support a …

Psychological Effects Of Solitary Confinement, Asia Mclemore

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis critically examines the controversial practice of solitary confinement (SC) in correctional facilities, aiming to elucidate its profound impact on the mental well-being of incarcerated individuals. Through a comprehensive review of empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and case analyses, it explores the psychological, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical responses of inmates subjected to prolonged isolation, revealing the intricate interaction between environmental deprivation and psychological distress. Key themes investigated include the induction and exacerbation of mental health conditions, including symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the conflicting effects of SC on institutional order. Furthermore, the study evaluates the ethical …

Music Density: A Novel Measurement Of Music Perception, Tyler Ussery

All Master's Theses

Empirical research in fields such as music perception, cognition, and therapy has developed considerably in recent decades. While many studies implement musical stimuli, there are few expeditious metrics for identifying the objective characteristics of music itself. The current study proposed and developed a tool for measuring perception of the theoretical concept of music density. Music density can be defined as the compactness of auditory information that comprises a piece of music. For this study, five musical factors were explored (tempo, texture, timbre, dynamics, and predictability) via a 5-point Likert scale. It is well established that personality is an important …

Perception, Attention, And Action! A New Perspective On The Associations Found In Educational Expertise And Visual Search, Ashley Sawyer

Honors Program Theses

Expertise as defined in literature is the peak or otherwise exceptionally high levels of performance on a particular task or within a given domain (Papesh et al., 2021). In this study, expertise is defined as the time length the individual has spent in their field. For the purpose of this research, an expert can exist in a plethora of fields ranging from history and music to mathematics or science. Becoming an expert requires for the individual to not only have the mental and cognitive concepts that come with acquiring this type of knowledge, but it also incorporates skills they know …

Emotional Throwing: Decision Making And Emotion In The Dual-Process Theory, Eve Wasil

Honors Program Theses

The dual process theory of decision-making describes system 1 as automatic and system 2 as controlled (Frankish & Evans, 2009). While much research has been conducted on system 2 and emotional arousal, little is known about how arousal affects the more automatic, gut-feeling processes of system 1. Through galvanic skin response (GSR), a system 1 ball throwing task, and a system 2 trolley problem survey, this study measured emotional arousal’s effect on both systems in conjunction with one another. Results revealed minimal effects of emotion on system 1 and system 2, leaving room for speculation as to the robustness of …

Is Hey Jude In The Right Key? Cognitive Components Of Absolute Pitch Memory, Stephen C. Van Hedger, Andrea R. Halpern, David J. Vollweiler, Evan E. Smith, Peter Q. Pfordresher

Faculty Journal Articles

Most individuals, regardless of formal musical training, have long-term absolute pitch memory (APM) for familiar musica lrecordings, though with varying levels of accuracy. The present study followed up on recent evidence suggesting an association between singing accuracy and APM (Halpern & Pfordresher, 2022, Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 84(1), 260–269), as well as tonal short-term memory (STM) and APM (Van Hedger et al., 2018, Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 71(4), 879–891). Participants from three research sites (n = 108) completed a battery of tasks including APM,tonal STM, singing accuracy, and self-reported auditory imagery. Both tonal STM and singing accuracy predicted APM,replicating …

Disentangling Accelerated Cognitive Decline From The Normal Aging Process And Unraveling Its Genetic Components: A Neuroimaging-Based Deep Learning Approach, Yulin Dai, Yu-Chun Hsu, Brisa S Fernandes, Kai Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Nitesh Enduru, Andi Liu, Astrid M Manuel, Xiaoqian Jiang, Zhongming Zhao, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The progressive cognitive decline, an integral component of Alzheimer's disease (AD), unfolds in tandem with the natural aging process. Neuroimaging features have demonstrated the capacity to distinguish cognitive decline changes stemming from typical brain aging and AD between different chronological points.

OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the normal aging effect from the AD-related accelerated cognitive decline and unravel its genetic components using a neuroimaging-based deep learning approach.

METHODS: We developed a deep-learning framework based on a dual-loss Siamese ResNet network to extract fine-grained information from the longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. …

Does Attention Control Mediate The Negative Effects Online Usage Exerts On College Students' Gpa, Carolina Rodriguez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Online media, especially social media, is a continuously growing area of research which has raised questions about its impacts on academic outcomes. Many previous studies have established a negative relation between social media use and academic performance; however, the mechanism behind this finding is still unknown. The present study investigated whether level of attention control mediates the relation between an individual’s propensity for online usage and grade point average (GPA). Undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida (N=226) were recruited for this study, and their levels of online vigilance and attention control were measured. College GPA was self-reported by …

Reporting On Un Security Council: Decoding Media Bias, Alessandra Loiero

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores Western media's representation of the United Nations (UN), focusing on the Security Council's role in global conflict resolution. It examines how UN-accredited correspondents perceive the effectiveness of the Security Council, particularly when the body faces deadlock. The study employs text analysis techniques to identify biases and perceptions in media coverage, using The New York Times' reporting on the Ukraine conflict as a case study. It illuminates framing effects in journalistic narratives, revealing how journalists subtly interject their views when reporting, often revealing unrealistic expectations and shedding light on the limitations of the UN's mandate or its inability …

Exploring Spatial Operations Of Distractor Suppression In The Sense Of Touch, Nicole A. Serino

Dissertations and Theses

The ability to select sensory information in our environment is key to facilitating goal-directed actions. Sensory selection mechanisms are prevalent in all sensory modalities, and can be implemented by enhancing information at the relevant location and/or suppressing neural information outside the focus of attention (a mechanism known as distractor suppression). Although we have a decent understanding of how the brain enhances information within the focus of attention, less is known about the mechanisms that mediate suppression of distractors, especially in sensory modalities outside vision. In this study, we conducted a series of behavioral experiments to investigate the spatial flexibility of …

Aromatherapies And Stress: An Examination Of Saliva Sclarea In Acute Stress Conditions, Emily J. Van Gundy

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The use of essential oils as an alternative medicine in the United States is becoming increasingly popular as more accreditation is given to its therapeutic values. With this increase in use, we must continue to examine the uses of essential oils, including associated risks. One unavoidable aspect of life is stress, both acute and chronic. This study aims to better our understanding of the stress-reducing properties of the essential oil clary sage (salvia sclarea) after an experimentally induced acute stress experience. The Trier Social Stress Test was used to elicit an acute stress response. Participants were given the scent of …

Circulating Sphingolipids In Relation To Cognitive Decline And Incident Dementia: The Cardiovascular Health Study, Kristine F Moseholm, Héléne T Cronjé, Manja Koch, Annette L Fitzpatrick, Oscar L Lopez, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto, W T Longstreth, Andrew N Hoofnagle, Kenneth J Mukamal, Rozenn N Lemaitre, Majken K Jensen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Whether circulating levels of sphingolipids are prospectively associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk is uncertain.

METHODS: We measured 14 sphingolipid species in plasma samples from 4488 participants (mean age 76.2 years; 40% male; and 25% apolipoprotein E (

RESULTS: Higher plasma levels of sphingomyelin-d18:1/16:0 (SM-16) were associated with a faster cognitive decline measured with 3MSE, in contrast, higher levels of sphingomyelin-d18:1/22:0 (SM-22) were associated with slower decline in cognition measured with DSST. In Cox regression, higher levels of SM-16 (hazard ration [HR] = 1.24 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.44]) and ceramide-d18:1/16:0 (Cer-16) (HR = 1.26 [95% CI: 1.10-1.45]) …

The Development Of An Interactive Multimedia E-Learning Module For Functional Cognition, Mckenzie R. Behrendt, Stacy Smallfield

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The rise in technology, social media, and video has led to the desire for short, interactive, and visually appealing instructional materials. Modern learners want flexibility, repeatability, accessibility, and low-stakes knowledge checks. A multimedia e-learning module may meet the learner’s desires. This article describes the conception, development, and implementation of a free, interactive, multimedia e-learning module designed to enhance understanding and application of occupational therapy (OT) theoretical approaches to address functional cognition. We discuss the considerations for choosing a multimedia e-learning module as an instructional tool, drawing from existing research demonstrating its effectiveness. Particularly, a multimedia e-learning module potentially benefits addressing …

Facilitating Thought Progression To Reduce Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial, Shai-Lee Yatziv, Paola Pedrelli, Shira Baror, Sydney Ann Decaro, Noam Shachar, Bar Sofer, Sunday Hull, Joshua Curtiss, Moshe Bar

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background:

The constant rise in the prevalence of major depressive disorder calls for new, effective, and accessible interventions that can rapidly and effectively reach a wide range of audiences. Recent developments in the digital health domain suggest that dedicated online platforms may potentially address this gap. Focusing on targeting ruminative thought, a major symptomatic hallmark of depression, in this study we hypothesized that delivering a digital health-based intervention designed to systematically facilitate thought progression would substantially alleviate depression.

Objective:

The study aims to investigate the efficacy of a novel digital intervention on the reduction of depressive symptoms. This intervention was …

Factors That Contribute To Perceptions Of Police-Civilian Interactions, Shelby Wynne

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Perceptions of police-civilian interactions have been found to be impacted by the perspective in which they are viewed, with first-person perspectives eliciting negative perceptions of civilians and positive perceptions of police. However, the nature of the relationship between race and camera-perspective has not been fully explored. Black people are more likely to harmed by police at a disproportionate rate compared to White people, and consequently, have more negative perceptions of police. Three studies investigated what factors informed perceptions of police encounters, particularly when camera perspectives differed. Results showed partial support for my prediction that Black people are as not susceptible …

Exposure To Low (10 Cgy) Doses Of ⁴He Ions Leads To An Apparent Increase In Risk Taking Propensity In Female Rats, Nina Li, Simran Phuyal, Elliot Smits, Faith E. Reid, Ella N. Tamgue, Paola Alvarado Arriaga, Richard A. Britten

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

The planned missions to the Moon and Mars will present more significant health challenges to astronauts compared to low earth orbit missions. During deep space missions, astronauts will be constantly exposed to Space radiation (SR). Multiple rodent studies suggest that < 25 cGy of SR impairs performance in executive functions, which play a key role in advanced cognitive processes, but also regulate response inhibition and impulse control. There is the possibility that SR exposure may exacerbate aberrant behaviors evoked by psychological stress related to exposure to isolated and confined (ICE) hostile environment or independently induce additional aberrant behaviors. This study has determined that female Wistar rats exposed to 10 cGy of 250 MeV/n He had an increased risk taking propensity (RTP)\compared to shams. The increased RTP of the He-exposed rats was associated with significantly increased reaction times during the trials, suggesting a SR-induced loss of processing speed. The response times of the He-exposed rats were even further reduced in trials that immediately followed a loss, raising the possibility that conflict and interference avoidance may be impaired after SR exposure. Whether these findings occur following other types of SR exposure, and/or in male rats remains to be determined.

Target Selection And Enhancement During Attentional Tracking, Marvin R. Maechler

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

At any waking moment, we are bombarded with more sensory information than we can fully process. Attention is necessary to deal with the dynamic world we live in. One fundamental function of vision and attention is to keep track of moving objects, but what are the targets of attention during tracking?

One of the first theories of attentional tracking predicted that targets would be selected at early processing stages. By employing the double-drift illusion, which dissociates physical and perceived positions of moving objects, we investigated which of these positions is selected for tracking. Contrary to earlier theories and in line …