Showing papers on "Perceptual psychology published in 2001"

Event structure in perception and conception.

Abstract: Events can be understood in terms of their temporal structure. The authors first draw on several bodies of research to construct an analysis of how people use event structure in perception, understanding, planning, and action. Philosophy provides a grounding for the basic units of events and actions. Perceptual psychology provides an analogy to object perception: Like objects, events belong to categories, and, like objects, events have parts. These relationships generate 2 hierarchical organizations for events: taxonomies and partonomies. Event partonomies have been studied by looking at how people segment activity as it happens. Structured representations of events can relate partonomy to goal relationships and causal structure; such representations have been shown to drive narrative comprehension, memory, and planning. Computational models provide insight into how mental representations might be organized and transformed. These different approaches to event structure converge on an explanation of how multiple sources of information interact in event perception and conception.

Improving Construct Validity with Cognitive Psychology Principles.

Abstract: Cognitive psychology principles have been heralded as possibly central to construct validity. In this paper, testing practices are examined in three stages: (a) the past, in which the traditional testing research paradigm left little role for cognitive psychology principles, (b) the present, in which testing research is enhanced by cognitive psychology principles, and (c) the future, for which we predict that cognitive psychology's potential will be fully realized through item design. An extended example of item design by cognitive theory is given to illustrate the principles. A spatial ability test that consists of an object assembly task highlights how cognitive design principles can lead to item generation. Cognitive psychology has been heralded as promising to reinvigorate intelligence and ability testing. Carroll and Maxwell (1979) lauded cognitive psychology as a breath of fresh air in research on ability. However, more than two decades have passed since their enthusiastic review. And, although today cognitive psychology concepts seem to be interfused with discussions of abilities, actual applications in testing are few and far between. Construct validity is central to establishing test quality. The concept has guided most testing research programs since it was introduced by Cronbach and Meehl (1955). In this article, testing practices are examined in three stages to understand how cognitive psychology can improve construct validity: (a) the past, in which the traditional testing research paradigm left little role for cognitive psychology principles, (b) the present, in which some testing applications involves cognitive psychology principles, and (c) the future, for which we predict that cognitive psychology's potential will be fully realized by its influence on item design. An extended example will be given to show how item design influences construct validation.

The Theory-Ladenness of Observation and the Theory-Ladenness of the Rest of the Scientific Process

Abstract: We use evidence from cognitive psychology and the history of science to examine the issue of the theory-ladenness of perceptual observation. This evidence shows that perception is theory-laden, but that it is only strongly theory-laden when the perceptual evidence is ambiguous or degraded, or when it requires a difficult perceptual judgment. We argue that debates about the theory-ladenness issue have focused too narrowly on the issue of perceptual experience, and that a full account of the scientific process requires an examination of theory-ladenness in attention, perception, data interpretation, data production, memory, and scientific communication. We conclude that the evidence for theory-ladenness does not lead to a relativist account of scientific knowledge.

Designing user interfaces using activity theory

Abstract: The mainstream framework of computer-interaction research of cognitive psychology has come under increasing criticism lately because of the gap between research results and practical design. According to K. Kuutti (1996), the main criticism is that traditional cognitive psychology of design is not able to penetrate the human side of the interface. To overcome these limitations, an alternative approach to interface design is necessary. Activity Theory, which originated within Soviet psychology, appears to have much to offer. Activity Theory incorporates notions of intentionality, history, mediation, motivation, understanding, culture and community and it is these aspects that have proved attractive to interface design. We believe that Activity Theory offers several benefits to interface design, compared to the traditional cognitive psychology approach. This paper describes a case study involving the use of Activity Theory for the design and evaluation of a tourist information kiosk.

Loose, artistic "textures" for visualization

Abstract: Through evolution, the human visual system has developed the ability to process natural textures. However, in addition to natural textures, humans also visually process man-made textures - some of the richest and most compelling of which are in works of art. Art goes beyond what perceptual psychologists understand about visual perception and there remain fundamental lessons that we can learn from art and art history that we can apply to our visualization problems. This article describes and illustrates some of the visualization lessons we have learned from studying art. I believe that these examples also illustrate some of the potential benefits of further study. While this approach is more open-ended than a perceptual psychology approach, both approaches are worthy of pursuit, and the potential benefits of using the less structured approach outweigh any risk of failure.

The immune system and other cognitive systems

Abstract: In the following pages we propose a theory on cognitive systems and the common strategies of perception, which are at the basis of their function. We demonstrate that these strategies are easily seen to be in place in known cognitive systems such as vision and language. Furthermore we show that taking these strategies into consideration implies a new outlook on immune function calling for a new appraisal of the immune system as a cognitive system.

Design of Virtual Environments

Abstract: From the Publisher: Virtual reality (VR) is a highly interdisciplinary field involving computer science; perceptual psychology; human factors engineering; signal processing; and electrical,mechanical,and optical engineering. This unique book brings together vital information from all of these fields,providing both the theoretical and practical knowledge required to design VR systems capable of solving real-world problems. A serious treatment fo VR written specifically for engineers,researchers,and designers in industry and the military,this advanced-level handbook is up to date in every respect. Author and VR expert Rory Stuart describes each stage of the VR design process in detail,explaining a rigorous methodology for the planning,design,and testing of VR systems.

Cognitive Psychology: Overview

Abstract: The term ‘Cognitive Psychology’ has three different meanings, referring to (a) a collection of topic areas, (b) the properties of the mental system intervening between environmental input and behavior, and (c) a particular methodological approach to studying human mind and behavior. The three meanings of Cognitive Psychology are discussed in some depth, along with a brief consideration of the historical roots of the discipline.

Embodied Cognitive Science: Concepts, Methods and Implications for Psychology

Abstract: Since the “cognitive shift” of psychology, a close association between psychology and the advances in computer technology and artificial intelligence research has evolved. According to the ‘computational’ symbol processing approach, cognition consists of a series of sequentially ordered processing stages. Between perception and action, input is processed by higher cognitive functions, such as categorization, memory, and planning. These cognitive functions are conceived as independent modules lacking a direct interface with the environment. This approach is criticized due to its inherent fundamental problems. Alternative research programs, such as embodied cognitive science, primarily address the issues of embodied cognition, i. e., cognition is viewed as originating from the interaction of body and environment. The methods of the corresponding “new AI” encompass robotics and the use of autonomous agents. It is investigated here which implications for psychology may arise. A theoretical conceptualization of autonomous agents based on dynamical systems theory and synergetics is outlined. Within this context, the cognitive system is conceived as a complex system comprising numerous sensorimotor loops; coherent and adaptive perception-action processes emerge from the influence of affordances. Examples cited from the field of applied psychology indicate that these perspectives lead to the formulation of new research questions and reinterpretation of empirical findings.

How to interface cognitive psychology with cognitive neuroscience

Abstract: Cowan's analysis of human short-term memory (STM) and attention in terms of processing limits in the range of 4 items (or “chunks”) is discussed from the point of view of cognitive neuroscience. Although, Cowan already provides many important theoretical insights, we need to learn more about how to build further bridges between cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

The Soliloquy of Empirical Validation in Cognitive Psychology

Abstract: This paper argues that psychological objects are not entirely natural scientific objects; therefore, they are not entirely subject to procedures of empirical investigation. Focusing on the validation of cognitive therapy in clinical psychology, critiques are made of the theoretical coherence of cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) as well as research practices used to validate therapeutic procedures. While validation may facilitate the marketability of psychology as a profession, it does not necessarily help to understand the human mind nor to develop the ability of psychologists to help people with their lives. It is suggested that clinical psychology can utilise a plethora of research strategies to promote the facilitation of mental health.