People prefer symmetric over asymmetric patterns (Reber, Schwarz, & Winkielman, 2004). According to the fluency attribution perspective, this preference reflects differences in processing speed where increased processing efficiency leads to increased pattern preference. To test the account, in Experiment 1, participants’ speed of response to a pattern predicted the relationship between pattern symmetry and pattern preference. Experiment 2 expanded this account and found that a second measure of processing efficiency, recognition accuracy for patterns, predicted the relationship between pattern symmetry and pattern preference. Experiment 3 tested the attribution account of the fluency attribution hypothesis. Participants made a judgment of pattern mood rather than pattern preference. Despite a change of judgment task to an unintuitive judgment of pattern mood, participants attributed increased processing efficiency for patterns to increased pattern happiness. The three experiments provide an integration of the information processing and fluency attribution perspectives to account for symmetry preference judgments.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on July 30, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics, Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis examines the idea that when a physical theory contains symmetries, the theory should be interpreted in such a way that symmetry-related models represent the same physical state of affairs. It argues that we can best do so by drawing on analogies to ideas in philosophy of logic and language: specifically, by thinking of symmetries as a means of translating a theory into itself. It consists of six chapters, together with an introduction and conclusion. In Chapter 1, I set up the main ideas needed to more precisely frame the question at hand: namely, the notions of symmetry, interpretation, and possibility. I make some remarks about how I take these to be connected. In Chapter 2, I argue that isomorphic models should be interpreted as equivalent. After giving some motivations for doing so, I consider the main obstruction: how to provide an account of de re modality. I review how counterpart theory may be used to overcome this obstruction, and clarify how counterpart theory relates to other positions in the debate over modality de re. In Chapter 3, I show that the metaphysical debate over quidditism can be made precise by drawing on notions of translation from model theory, and argue in favour of an anti-quidditist attitude towards interpreting theories. I then consider the special case of translating a theory into itself: how such a theory should be interpreted, and what reformulations of the theory such an interpretation suggests. In Chapter 4, I turn my attention to physics. I define the notion of an internal symmetry for a theory, and argue that they may be regarded as translations from a theory into itself (in the sense of Chapter 3); and, hence, that symmetry-related models should be interpreted as equivalent. Drawing on the analogy further, I look at how the theory may be reformulated to take this interpretation into account. In Chapter 5, I look at external symmetries. I argue, drawing on ideas from Chapters 2 and 3, that models related by external symmetries should also be interpreted as equivalent. I discuss how implementing this interpretational lesson bears on finding the spacetime structure appropriate to a theory. In Chapter 6, I consider a specific external symmetry: the accelerative symmetry of Newtonian gravitation. I show that one can reformulate the theory to take this into account, setting gravitation on a spacetime structure that has absolute rotation but no absolute acceleration.

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The purpose -of this work is to discuss the symmetry, or lack of it, under reversal of motion in physical objects, states and processes. Considerations of such symmetry are made in both classical and quantum physics, notably in the problem of reconciling the assumed time-reversal symmetry of microscopic processes with the observed asymmetry of macroscopic processes. In the case of classical mechanics, a simple model of a free particle colliding with a series of almost stationary or stationary particles of smaller mass is introduced in order to show how a friction-like phenomenon can arise from processes all of which have symmetry under reversal of motion. It is maintained throughout that symmetry under reversal of motion is a property of all fundamental states and processes in nature. / Science, Faculty of / Physics and Astronomy, Department of / Graduate

Maxwel l's equations for the vacuum are invariant under the duality rotation; however, the significance of this invariance is not well understood. The purpose of this thesis is to consider the duality rotation in greater detail than has been done previously. The duality invariance of Maxwell's equations is discussed, and it is shown that the only duality invariants bilinear in the electric and magnetic fields are arbitrary linear combinations of the components of the stress-energy-momentum tensor. It is also shown that the most general linear field transformation which leaves Maxwell's vacuum equations invariant is the duality rotation. The usual Lagrangian density for the electromagnetic field does not exhibit duality invariance. It is shown, however, that if one takes the components of the electromagnetic field tensor as field variables, then the most general Lorentz invariant Lagrangian density bilinear in the electomagnetic fields and their first derivatives is determined uniquely by the requirement of duality invariance. The ensuing field equations are identical with the iterated Maxwell equations. It is further shown that in neutrino theory the Pauli transformation of the second kind corresponds to the duality rotation. / Science, Faculty of / Physics and Astronomy, Department of / Graduate

<p>Symmetry plays a significant role in protein structural assembly and function. This is especially true for large homo-oligomeric protein complexes due to stability and finite control of function. But, symmetry in proteins are not perfect due to unknown reasons and leads to pseudosymmetry. This study focuses on symmetry analysis of homo-oligomers, specifically homo-dimers, homo-trimers and homo-tetramers.</p> <p>We defined Off Symmetry (OS) to measure the overall symmetry of the protein and Structural Index (SI) to quantify the structural difference and Assembly Index (AI) to quantify the assembly difference between the subunits. In most of the symmetrical homo-trimer and homo-tetramer proteins, Assembly Index contributes more to Off Symmetry and in the case of homo-dimer, Structural index contributes more than the Assembly Index. The main chain atom Carbon-Alpha (CA) is more symmetrical than the first side chain atom Carbon-Beta (CB), suggesting protein mobility may contribute to the pseudosymmetry. In addition, Pearson coefficient correlation between their Off-Symmetry and their respective atoms B-Factor (temperature factor) are calculated. We found that the individual residues of a protein in all the subunits are correlated to their average B-Factor of these residues. The correlation with BFactor is stronger in Structure Index than Assembly Index. All these results suggest that protein dynamics play an important role and therefore a larger off-symmetry may indicate a more mobile and flexible protein complex.</p>

An investigation is carried out to determine whether or not on the basis of theory one expects axial asymmetry in heavy nuclei. The average one-body potential well is taken as an anisotropic harmonic oscillator, modified by the usual ℓ ∙ s and ℓ² forces. The method of matrix diagonalisation is used to find the eigenvalues. Residual interaction between nucleons is also treated in the pairing approximation. The calculations show that prolate axial symmetry is favoured in each of the nuclei considered. It is possible to indicate the underlying physical reasons for this result. Assuming equilibrium prolate axial symmetry an attempt is made to understand the collective excited levels in the transition region, i.e. the region between spherical nuclei and permanently deformed nuclei. A model calculation is done to show how the levels can be obtained. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)