The phenomenon of mental models has long been studied in both cognitive science and HCI, yet their impact in knowledge transfer between user interfaces are not as commonly studied. Rarely are practical examples of this phenomenon studied from an academic perspective. Using a real world example, Skatteverket’s (Swedish tax authorities) information system Basregister, this case study seeks to explore the role of mental models in knowledge transfer between user interfaces. Method of investigation entailed utilizing two design iterations, three interview phases, and five participants employed at Skatteverket. This study investigated if, and how much design elements from well-known external- and the original- system impact the acquisition of new mental models for the newly produced user interface designs. Main results conclude that both external and internal design elements may be to tremendous benefit when the goal is to design with maximum knowledge transfer, as to reduce cognitive load on the user. However, that such implementations should be carefully instigated when designing new UI, and always from a user-centric approach.

A disseminação do uso de robôs na sociedade moderna é uma realidade. Do começo restrito às operações fabris como pintura e soldagem, até o início de seu uso nas residências, apenas algumas décadas se passaram. A robótica social é uma área de pesquisa que visa desenvolver modelos para que a interação direta de robôs com seres humanos ocorra de forma natural. Um dos fatores que compromete a rápida evolução da robótica social é a dificuldade em integrar sistemas cognitivos e robóticos, principalmente devido ao volume e complexidade da informação produzida por um mundo caótico repleto de dados sensoriais. Além disso, a existência de múltiplas configurações de robôs, com arquiteturas e interfaces distintas, dificulta a verificação e repetibilidade dos experimentos realizados pelos diversos grupos de pesquisa. Esta tese contribui para a evolução da robótica social ao definir uma arquitetura, denominada Cognitive Model Development Environment (CMDE) que simplifica a conexão entre sistemas cognitivos e robóticos. Essa conexão é formalizada com uma ontologia, denominada OntPercept, que modela a percepção do ambiente a partir de informações sensoriais captadas pelos sensores presentes no agente robótico. Nos últimos anos, diversas ontologias foram propostas para aplicações robóticas, mas elas não são genéricas o suficiente para atender completamente às necessidades das áreas de robótica e automação. A formalização oferecida pela OntPercept facilita o desenvolvimento, a reprodução e a comparação de experimentos associados a robótica social. A validação do sistema proposto ocorre com suporte do simulador Robot House Simulator (RHS), que fornece um ambiente onde, o agente robótico e o personagem humano podem interagir socialmente com níveis crescentes de processamento cognitivo. A proposta da CMDE viabiliza a utilização de qualquer sistema cognitivo, em particular, o experimento elaborado para validação desta pesquisa utiliza Soar como arquitetura cognitiva. Em conjunto, os elementos: arquitetura CMDE, ontologia OntPercept e simulador RHS, todos disponibilizados livremente no GitHub, estabelecem um ambiente completo que propiciam o desenvolvimento de experimentos envolvendo sistemas cognitivos dirigidos para a área de robótica social. / The use of robots in modern society is a reality. From the beginning restricted to the manufacturing operations like painting and welding, until the beginning of its use in the residences, only a few decades have passed. Social robotics is an area that aims to develop models so that the direct interaction of robots with humans occurs naturally. One of the factors that compromises the rapid evolution of social robotics is the difficulty in integrating cognitive and robotic systems, mainly due to the volume and complexity of the information produced by a chaotic world full of sensory data. In addition, the existence of multiple configurations of robots, with different architectures and interfaces, makes it difficult to verify and repeat the experiments performed by the different research groups. This research contributes to the evolution of social robotics by defining an architecture, called Cognitive Model Development Environment (CMDE), which simplifies the connection between cognitive and robotic systems. This connection is formalized with an ontology, called OntPercept, which models the perception of the environment from the sensory information captured by the sensors present in the robotic agent. In recent years, several ontologies have been proposed for robotic applications, but they are not generic enough to fully address the needs of robotics and automation. The formalization offered by OntPercept facilitates the development, reproduction and comparison of experiments associated with social robotics. The validation of the proposed system occurs with support of the Robot House Simulator (RHS), which provides an environment where the robotic agent and the human character can interact socially with increasing levels of cognitive processing. All together, the elements: CMDE architecture, OntPercept ontology and RHS simulator, all freely available in GitHub, establish a complete environment that allows the dev

Precis som många andra domäner har frivilligorganisationen Sjöräddningssällskapet (SSRS) påverkats mycket av den tekniska utvecklingen som skett de senaste decennierna. Den har bland annat inneburit att SSRS båtar har fått mer och mer högteknologisk utrustning. Samtidigt har de frivilliga sjöräddarnas kompetens och kraven på deras kompetens, förändrats i takt med att den svenska fiskeflottan förminskats. Idag består SSRS aktiva medlemmar av personer med huvudsysselsättning bortom den marina domänen. Den här studien gör en bred kartläggning över organisationen för att kunna jämföra förhållanden mellan vilka uppgifter och mål som finns hos SSRS med vilken teknik som finns tillgänglig och hur arbetet utförs i praktiken. En systemsyn har tillämpats på systemet operatör och båt. Etnografisk metod har använts för att samla in data till kartläggningen. En funktionell mål‐ medelanalys har sedan använts för att analysera vilka uppgifter och mål som finns i systemet. Den jämförande analysen visar att organisationen skiljer sig åt i teorin och praktiken. Skillnaderna ligger bland annat i på vilket sätt framförandet av båtarna sker och hur rollfördelningen på ombord ser ut.

Current research in the field of numerical cognition reveals strong behavioral interactions and similar processing mechanisms for the perceptions of space, time, and number; which is generally believed to indicate that these dimensions share a common metric for representation in the brain. These three dimensions of magnitude––analog, ratio dependent representations of space, time, and number––are essential for interaction with the environment, and provide a conceptual basis on which further perceptual experience enhances the discrimination of distance, speed, numerosity, quantity, and size. Basic, approximate and non-verbal conceptions of spatial navigation, temporal orienting, and numerical computations have been found in human adults and children, as well as non-human animals, while the employment of discrete measures seems to be a consequence of a verbally and culturally mediated ontogenetic shift exclusive to humans (e.g. Feigenson, Libertus, and Halberda, 2013). This thesis investigates the link between nature and nurture, in an attempt to find the key factor that ultimately induces the ontogenetic shift from approximate to exact representations of space, time, and number. An extensive theoretical review is performed, based on both neuroscientific and cross-cultural data, where I propose that cultural and linguistic mediation is as vital to the representational advancement of numerical cognition as our biologically predisposed magnitude system. The neuroscientific approach is strongly based on a leading––but controversial––theory in the field of numerical cognition, ATOM (Walsh, 2003), which suggests that both human and non-human animals possess a generalized magnitude system with fully shared representational mechanisms for space, time, and number. To further illustrate the assumed theoretical stance of ATOM, an exploratory fMRI study with a single participant is performed, with results closely resembling those argued by Walsh (2003).

Ever since the inception of the modern computer, researchers and designers alike have been interested in the effects of system delays on users. The current study was conducted in order to examine the most central issues to the field of temporality in interaction, and presents a consolidation of a selection of publications on the subject. A distinction between two types of interactive systems, discretionary and continuous, is proposed in order to situate previous studies by the system being studied. The type of control being exerted by users differs on a fundamental level between the two types, hence affecting the effects of delays. Furthermore, an experiment was conducted to examine the effects of constant, sub-second system delays in discretionary tasks using a digitalised version of the Trail Making Test (FR-TMT, Summala et al., 2008). The experiment yielded but one significant result in form of an improvement in user response time as delays were increased. The other results showed no significant positive or negative effect of increased delays. These results are indicative that the chosen delays do not have any detrimental effects on users, in accordance with the presently coined ’theory of task interruption’. This theory considers delays as either interruptive or non-interruptive and maintains that only delays that disrupt user work-flow are to be removed from interactive systems. The current study gives reason to why some delays can be positive to user interaction, or in themselves be informative of system status, and be an integral part of a feedback structure. Further research is needed before all aspects of system delays are fully understood. New ways of looking at delays and using them in system design, like predictability and predictivity, are becoming more prevalent, and may become the focus of research and temporal design in the near future.

Cette thèse d’épistémologie et d’histoire des sciences cognitives est consacrée à son niveau le plus général au problème de l’instrument scientifique, parent pauvre de la réflexion sur l’investigation scientifique, et se concentre à titre particulier sur le développement des techniques d’imagerie cérébrale fonctionnelle et leur introduction dans le domaine cognitif au cours des années 1980-1990. Un choix motivé notamment par la nouveauté et l’importance de ce nouvel instrument, dont l’émergence est régulièrement comparée à celle du télescope au moment de la Révolution scientifique du XVIIe siècle. La première partie est ainsi consacrée à une analyse générale de l’instrument scientifique et des problèmes essentiels qu’il soulève. Elle propose un certain nombre d’hypothèses en réponse, et en examine les enjeux théoriques. La deuxième partie défend une interprétation historique de l’émergence des deux technologies d’imagerie fonctionnelle que sont la tomographie par émission de positons et l’imagerie par résonance magnétique fonctionnelle. En reprenant dans le détail certains éléments d’invention et de diffusion de ces techniques, elle montre notamment l’intrication des procédures de validation des instruments et des divers mécanismes scientifiques et sociétaux qui poussent à les développer puis à les utiliser. A la lumière des analyses théoriques et générales de la première, et sur la base de l’interprétation historique de la seconde, la troisième partie est dédiée à l’examen des implications de ces nouvelles technologies d’imagerie sur l’évolution du champ des sciences cognitives et de la reprise de leurs résultats dans d’autres domaines, tant scientifiques que technologiques ou pratiques. A ce double égard, elle défend la thèse générale que l’introduction de l’imagerie agit beaucoup moins comme un facteur de résolution de certaines questions que comme un facteur de déplacement de la problématique et de l’impact théorique et sociétal des sciences cognitives. / At a general level, this dissertation in philosophy and history of cognitive science is devoted to the underestimated problem of scientific instruments. It is focused on some functional brain imaging techniques introduced in the field of cognitive studies during the 1980’s and 1990’s, the impact of such new technologies being sometimes compared to an instrumental revolution, in a way similar to the impact of the invention of the telescope on post-Galilean astronomy. The first part consists in a philosophical and historical analysis of the notion of scientific instrument. In this regard, some issues are raises and some hypotheses are formulated. The second part presents an interpretation of the historical emergence of Positron Emission Tomography and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Dealing with details of the invention and circulation of those techniques, it shows in particular the entanglement of the validation procedures of instruments with the various scientific and societal mechanisms driving to their development and use. Taking its roots in the general analysis of the first part and the historical interpretation of the second part, the third part looks into the impact of the new functional brain imaging technologies on the evolution of cognitive science and the diffusion of its results in other domains. Concerning both cognitive science and larger aspects, it is argued that brain imaging is less a factor of resolution of specific questions than a factor of shifting in the problematics and the theoretical and societal significance of cognitive science.

This work is aimed at creating a single view in the field of cognitive processes. Namely it is analysis of providing importance of cognitive processes for the entire field of artificial intelligence. The whole area of cognitive processes is described through the analysis of biological cognitive processes and their subsequent comparison with the processes of artificial intelligence and also the overall analysis of their limitations and their use. The work also contains a brief overview of the architecture of artificial intelligence and philosophical essay focused on the relationship of mind and body. In the end we present a project from IBM workshop, which is very important for their ability to work with natural language and understanding the content of questions asked.

Middle America is dying. The United Nations reports the average number of deaths per 1,00 population in the U.S. has steadily increased an average of 1.2 per 1,000 persons annually since 2015. Existing research offer conflicting theories regarding the factors influencing the phenomenon. the purpose of this study was to examine reliable and valid secondary data to determine if statistical evidence exists to support the prevailing theories. Statistical evidence was observed that suggests the crude death rates among U.S. non-Hispanic white (NHWs) populations was significantly higher than other U.S. population segments between 2015 and 2018. Statistical evidence was also observed that suggests U.S. NHWs sought ambulatory services for alcohol and drug use self-injuries at higher rates than other U.S. population segments. However, the evidence suggest that U.S. NHWs are not more likely to experience earlier than expected deaths from excessive alcohol or drug use than other U.S. population segments. The study's implications are that U.S. policy makers should consider long-term economic development and sustainability strategies focused on the promotion of higher education as a deterrent to self-harm among U.S. residents without college degrees or skills certifications. The study recommends future large-scale quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-use studies that examine the micro, meso, and macro factors influencing higher than expected morality rates among U.S. residents.

Purpose – The purpose with this study is to increase the understanding of how storage locations should be named along with an understanding of how planning of change could influence a change process. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, two research questions were formulated. ▪ How should storage locations be named in a distribution center?▪ How could planning affect the introduction of a new location addressing system? Method – The study has been executed as a case study and has been incused by a deductive approach. To the study, a central warehouse that distributes spare parts to private cars has been selected as case company. In order to answer the study ́s research questions, a literature study has been accomplished and empirical data has been collected. All the empirical data has been collected through interviews and observations at the case company. Furthermore, all empirical and theoretical data has been processed and analysed in order to answer the study ́s purpose and research questions. Findings – To create a location addressing system in a distribution center and thereby name storage locations, three factors should be considered. The first factor to consider is regarding which system that should be used in the specific environment, numerically, alphabetically or alphanumerically. The second factor is that the storage locations names should be as short as possible, maximum between five and seven symbols. The third factor that should be considered is that the location addressing system should have an underlying logic to support an uncomplicated learning process. When the storage locations are being labelled in the business, the chosen colour combinations should support clearness. In order to achieve clearness, the chosen colours need to have a great contrast between each other. In order to simplify a change in a distribution center, a well thought out planning strategy should be used. There are two factors according to this study that should be considered during changes in a distribution center. First off, it ́s important to have a clear information flow during the change process. Without a clear information flow to everyone that are being affected by the change, the risk of resistance towards the change increases. It ́s also important to formulate a clear planning and an understanding of the change ́s consequences in an early stage of the change process. This to prepare for the consequences that other elements in the business environment could be affected by the change as well. Implications – The study combines already proven theories and apply these in a distribution environment. No new theories have been created, but how the proven theories have been combined could give a new angle of how changes of storage locations in a distribution environment should be implemented. The study ́s empirical contribution was to give an increased understanding of how storage locations should be named and identify which factors affecting the naming of storage locations. The empirical contribution was also to give an increased understanding of how employees could be affected by a change. Changing a namingsystem could result in reduced loading of the employee’s memory, both the long-term memory and the short-term memory. By using a well thought out planning process, the outcome of a change in a location addressing system would be benefited. Limitations – The study has been executed as a one case study. It ́s not possible to exclude that a multiple case study would have generated a different result. In the study ́s empirical data, seven interviews were conducted. These seven interviews represent the employees of the case company. A larger quantity of interviews could have increased the study ́s quality. No quantitative data has been collected. With quantitative data, the study ́s generalizability could have increased. At last, the study has been limited by the space of time. With a longer amount of time, all parts of this study would have been further developed and by that, created a more generalized result.

In this dissertation, I criticize current approaches to moral cognition research and develop an embodied account of moral cognizing. Contemporary research into moral cognizing is strongly influenced by an orthodox cognitive mindset. Modern approaches to cognitive science, especially situated, i.e., embodied-enacted, approaches emphasize the role of affectivity, emotions, bodily experiences, sociality, culture, interpersonal relationship, and dynamic interactions in human cognizing. However, these non-orthodox approaches have only occasionally been applied to the study of the moral mind. The embodied account defended analyzes moral actions in terms of an agent's engagement with the world. Agents acquire a repertoire of possible interactions with the world rooted in their sensorimotor expertise. This embodied view of moral action focuses on the role culture, sociality, and interpersonal relations play in contextualizing actions and constituting an agent's identity. Enactive theory provides a broader cognitive framework to understand embodied action and moral identity, overcoming the dominant logic of doing and being done to, opening up moral agency to a sphere of joint action.