Cognitive Science Commons^™

Development And Validation Of A Shortened And Practical Frailty Index For People With Intellectual Disabilities, J. D. Schoufour, A. Oppewal, M. C. Van Maurik, Thessa Hilgenkamp, R. G. Elbers, D. A.M. Maes-Festen

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background: There is no widely used instrument to detect frailty in people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). We aimed to develop and validate a shorter and more practical version of a published frailty index for people with IDs. Method: This study was part of the longitudinal ‘Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability’ study. We included 982 people with IDs aged 50 years and over. The previously developed and validated ID-Frailty Index consisting of 51 deficits was used as the basis for the shortened version, the ID-FI Short Form. Content of the ID-FI Short Form was based on statistics and clinical and practical …

Pushing It To The Limit: Determining Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus) Olfactory Sensitivity And Discrimination Through A Behavioral Choice Task, Matthew S. Rudolph

Theses and Dissertations

Elephants have shown remarkable olfactory capabilities. Their sense of smell impacts their foraging choices, behavior, and ultimately, survival. Being able to detect a target odor can allow elephants to locate specific resources, identify threats, and find receptive conspecifics. Previous studies have shown that elephants can consistently detect target odors, but have not identified the limits of this detection. Thus, to investigate the extent of elephants’ odor detection capabilities, we tested Asian elephants in a two-step odor discrimination task. First, we investigated whether elephants could detect odors at varying levels of dilution after a training procedure, and then whether they could …

Discrete Processing In Visual Perception, Marshall L. Green

Theses and Dissertations

Two very different classes of theoretical models have been proposed to explain visual perception. One class of models assume that there is a point at which we become consciously aware of a stimulus, known as a threshold. This threshold is the foundation of discrete process models all of which describe an all-or-none transition between the mental state of perceiving a stimulus and the state of not perceiving a stimulus. In contrast, the other class of models assume that mental states change continuously. These continuous models are founded in signal detection theory and the more contemporary models in Bayesian inference frameworks. …

Dosage Matters: What Is Dosage, Doyoung Kim

Student Theses

To reduce recidivism, many correctional programs and interventions have been introduced to offenders. Though, the rate of recidivism remains exceedingly high. To improve program outcomes, it is important to match the dosage of a program to risk levels. However, there is not a standardized definition and measurement of program dosage. This thesis extends the study on identifying the definition and measurement of dosage and the effectiveness of the programs by conducting a systematic review of prior research. The results indicate that as a treatment dosage, treatment duration was more frequently used compared to treatment intensity to reduce recidivism rate of …

Cognition-Enhanced Machine Learning For Better Predictions With Limited Data, Florian Sense, Ryan Wood, Michael G. Collins, Joshua Fiechter, Aihua W. Wood, Michael Krusmark, Tiffany Jastrzembski, Christopher W. Myers

Faculty Publications

The fields of machine learning (ML) and cognitive science have developed complementary approaches to computationally modeling human behavior. ML's primary concern is maximizing prediction accuracy; cognitive science's primary concern is explaining the underlying mechanisms. Cross-talk between these disciplines is limited, likely because the tasks and goals usually differ. The domain of e-learning and knowledge acquisition constitutes a fruitful intersection for the two fields’ methodologies to be integrated because accurately tracking learning and forgetting over time and predicting future performance based on learning histories are central to developing effective, personalized learning tools. Here, we show how a state-of-the-art ML model can …

Inconsistent Seduction: Addressing Confounds And Methodological Issues In The Study Of The Seductive Detail Effect, Kay L. Tislar, Kelly S. Steelman

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Introduction: The inclusion of interesting but irrelevant details in instructional materials may interfere with recall and application of the core content. Although this seductive detail effect is well researched, recent research highlights factors that may influence the effect size.

Objectives: The current study discusses confounds and methodological issues in the study of seductive details and outlines strategies for over coming them. These practices were then applied in a study that examined the role of learning objectives on the seductive detail effect.

Met hods: Seductive details were selected on the basis of interest and importance level and matched forword count and …

Preliminary Exploration Of Pitch Discrimination, Temporal Sequencing, And Prosodic Awareness Skills Of Children Who Participate In Different School-Based Music Curricula, Ashley G. Flagge, Mary Ellen Neeley, Tara M. Davis, Victoria Henbest

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Musical training has been shown to have a positive influence on a variety of skills, including auditory-based tasks and nonmusical cognitive and executive functioning tasks; however, because previous investigations have yielded mixed results regarding the relationship between musical training and these skills, the purpose of this study was to examine and compare the auditory processing skills of children who receive focused, daily musical training with those with more limited, generalized musical training. Sixteen typically developing children (second–fourth grade) from two different schools receiving different music curricula were assessed on measures of pitch discrimination, temporal sequencing, and prosodic awareness. The results …

Conspiratorial Thinking And Personality, Fiona R. Papile

Social Sciences

Why do some people believe in conspiracies more than others? Previous research suggests that variables such as education level, gender, race, or political preference are not useful in a predictive capacity, so what individual traits or characteristics make someone more likely to believe in conspiracy theories?

Locus of control is a psychological personality trait that indicates how an individual attributes the causes and outcomes of life events. Locus of control ranges from a more internally located locus, to more externally located. Internally located individuals believe that their own actions primarily impact the outcomes of events, whereas externally located individuals believe …

Are Delusions Beliefs?, Dorothy Reviss

Publications and Research

A belief is one’s personal attitude regarding an issue in the universe that contains evidence of truth to it. A delusion can be defined as a peculiar belief that contradicts reality, scientific evidence, and rational thinking, and may be attributed to personality disorders. In order to determine where a delusion is a belief, it is important to recognize the circumstances under which certain beliefs are held. While a delusion sounds similar to a false belief, it is an entirely unique phenomenon. In the case of personality disorders like the Capgras delusion, schizophrenia, and Reverse Othello syndrome individuals genuinely believe in …

Dopamine Neurons That Cotransmit Glutamate, From Synapses To Circuits To Behavior, Daniel Eskenazi, Lauren Malave, Susana Mingote, Leora Yetnikoff, Samira Ztaou, Vlad Velicu, Stephen Rayport, Nao Chuhma

Advanced Science Research Center

Discovered just over 20 years ago, dopamine neurons have the ability to cotransmit both dopamine and glutamate. Yet, the functional roles of dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission and their implications for therapeutic use are just emerging. This review article encompasses the current body of evidence investigating the functions of dopamine neurons of the ventral midbrain that cotransmit glutamate. Since its discovery in dopamine neuron cultures, further work in vivo confirmed dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission across species. From there, growing interest has led to research related to neural functioning including roles in synaptic signaling, development, and behavior. Functional connectome mapping reveals robust …

Kiss Goodbye To The ‘Kissing Knees’: No Association Between Frontal Plane Inward Knee Motion And Risk Of Future Non-Contact Acl Injury In Elite Female Athletes, Agnethe Nilstad, Erich Petushek, Kam Ming Mok, Roald Bahr, Tron Krosshaug

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The aim of this study was to investigate if frontal plane knee and hip control in single-leg squats or vertical drop jumps with an overhead target were associated with future non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in elite female athletes. Of the 429 handball and 451 football athletes (age 21.5 ± 4.0 years, height 169.6 ± 6.4 cm, body weight 67.1 ± 8.0 kg), 722 non-injured and 56 non-contact ACL injured participants were eligible for analysis. We calculated lateral pelvic tilt, frontal plane knee projection angle, medial knee position, and side-to-side asymmetry in these from 2D videos recorded at baseline, …

The Effects Of Chemotherapeutic Agents On Cognitive Function: A Literature Review, Corinne Menz

2021 Honors Symposium

Chemotherapy is commonly the first-line treatment for various types of cancers. However, adverse effects resulting from treatment can negatively impact the patient’s quality of life while receiving chemotherapy as well as once the therapy course has been completed. The most commonly experienced effect is chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and is often referred to as “chemobrain”. This review attempts to explore the potential causes of cognitive decline, effects of chemotherapy treatment, and subjective patient reports. Relevant research was compiled in order to understand CRCI and its implications for the care of cancer patients.

Perspectives Of Caregivers On Early Onset Dementia: An Investigation Of The Role Of Attachment And Shifts In Identity, Claire Wood

2021 Honors Symposium

Early onset dementia (EOD), diagnosed earlier than 65, is an incurable, neurogenic disease that impacts every aspect of individual and family life as it progresses through three stages. The scope of caregiving broadens from initially helping with the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and progressing to assistance with essential activities of daily living (ADL) as dementia deepens. The physical demands of caregiving and emotional demands of caring about a loved one who is losing themselves are challenges that impact quality of life. Understanding the role that identity preservation plays as dementia deepens becomes a quality-of-life priority for caregivers and …

Loss And Attainment Of Identity For Individuals Experiencing Early-Onset Dementia, Benjamin Wright

2021 Honors Symposium

Dementia is a progressive neurogenic disease impacting individuals younger than 65 years old who often are working, raising families, and contributing to society. Individuals experiencing early-onset dementia (EOD) gradually lose selfperception, and others including family may no longer perceive them as the people they once were. How can caregivers and therapists protect and preserve a sense of identity that will contribute to quality of life? Narrative research claims storytelling stitches together fragments of life and is a tool for understanding oneself and negotiating this with others. Understanding the impact of narrative shifts that reflect changing identity and personhood could facilitate …

The Alignment Of Passage Tombs In Ireland – Horizons, Skyscape, And Domains Of Power, Frank Prendergast

Book/Book Chapter

Neolithic passage tombs are one of four main types on the island of Ireland. This paper considers their orientation within a statistical and phenomenological framework and finds twenty-three examples which face the rising or setting sun at key times in the annual solar cycle, notably the solstices. The discussion reflects the current archaeoastronomical view that intentional solar alignment was of low precision because of the mostly crude architecture of the tombs. Any calendrical function, such as tracking time, should therefore be viewed as secondary. More significantly, astronomically aligned passage tombs are perceived to embody broader cultural and cosmological beliefs most …

Examining The Relationship Between Confusion And Learning: A Descriptive Meta-Analysis, Dara L. Mcweeney, Aaron Y. Wong, Caitlin Mills

Honors Theses and Capstones

Previous research into confusion and learning neglects to investigate how this relationship varies when faced with impact factors such as multiple types of affect and learning measurements, learning environment, or grade level. Moreover, past research also reports di-verse effect size values for this relationship, making the correlation ambiguous. As such, the current research seeks to reconcile these nuances between confusion and learning through a meta-analytic approach. In this analysis, it was found that there was no relationship between confusion and learning gains, or in the subgroup analysis of grade level. Since only one impact factor, grade level, was analyzed, it …

Online Retirement Planning Training: The Effects Of Usability On Cognitive Load And Retirement Planning Activity Levels, Natasha Hardy

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The shift from defined benefit to defined contribution retirement plans for the current generation of retiree planners, Generation X, has placed the onus on individuals to gather, comprehend, and utilize complex financial information in order to plan their own retirement. Low savings rates and retirement planning activity indicate that individuals are not up to the challenge. This research investigates the interplay of three facets of cognitive load, usability, tech and retirement anxiety and the effects of a usability intervention on retirement planning activity levels.

Study 1 used semi-structured interviews and cognitive task analysis to explore themes of computer and retirement …

Animal Sentience: History, Science, And Politics, Andrew N. Rowan, Joyce M. D'Silva, Ian J.H. Duncan, Nicholas Palmer

Animal Sentience

This target article has three parts. The first briefly reviews the thinking about nonhuman animals’ sentience in the Western canon: what we might know about their capacity for feeling, leading up to Bentham’s famous question “can they suffer?” The second part sketches the modern development of animal welfare science and the role that animal-sentience considerations have played therein. The third part describes the launching, by Compassion in World Farming, of efforts to incorporate animal sentience language into public policy and regulations concerning human treatment of animals.

Investigating The Impact Of Online Human Collaboration In Explanation Of Ai Systems, Tauseef Ibne Mamun

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

An important subdomain in research on Human-Artificial Intelligence interaction is Explainable AI (XAI). XAI aims to improve human understanding and trust in machine intelligence and automation by providing users with visualizations and other information explaining the AI’s decisions, actions, or plans and thereby to establish justified trust and reliance. XAI systems have primarily used algorithmic approaches designed to generate explanations automatically that help understanding underlying information about decisions and establish justified trust and reliance, but an alternate that may augment these systems is to take advantage of the fact that user understanding of AI systems often develops through self-explanation (Mueller …

Bicultural Identity And Academic Achievement: The Second-Generation Immigrant Student Experience, Karimeh Haddad

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

By comparing the academic success and internal processes of immigrant groups, this study aimed to explore the impact of immigration status (first, second, and third-generation) and cultural backgrounds on academic achievement on a holistic level. By measuring acculturation, parental expectations, self-efficacy, goal adjustment, motivation, control beliefs, and vocabulary knowledge of university students, the combination of constructs best correlated to academic achievement was studied with determinants of demographics playing a key role. In addition to quantitative analyses, in-depth interviews supplemented the analyses and further gave insight to the backgrounds of the target population, second-generation immigrant students. The results indicated that there …