Although Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are often characterized by deficits in social domains, increasing evidence suggests that individuals with ASD have perceptual biases associated with a shift from reliance on global to local visual cues. This dissertation provides evidence for a two-factor structure to the systemizing trait of autism, as measured by the Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R), which differentially predicts this perceptual shift in the general population. Specifically, an Analytical Tendencies factor within the SQ-R was found to predict attenuated susceptibility to the global contextual cues that drive the rod-and-frame illusion (RFI), while an Insistence on Sameness factor was associated with heightened sensitivity to the local cues that drive the RFI. Furthermore, in a clinical sample of individuals with ASD, both Analytical Tendencies and Insistence on Sameness factors were found to be hyper-expressed, suggesting that perceptual biases in ASD populations can be explained, in part, by heightened systemizing tendencies. In addition, the Analytical Tendencies factor was also found to predict enhanced performance on the Embedded Figures Task, a visual search task commonly used to assess perceptual abilities in ASD. Furthermore, enhanced performance on this task was associated with reduced susceptibility to the global contextual effects of the RFI, suggesting that superior search performance in individuals with ASD may be due, in part, to attenuated interference from the contextual gestalt of the search array. Importantly, the relationship between heightened systemizing tendencies and attenuated use of global contextual cues was found to reflect a disinclination among high systemizers to use such cues and not a general impairment in processing such cues. Specifically, when contextual cues that benefit performance are available, high systemizers can use these cues to the same extent as low systemizers. Together, these findings implicate a two-factor structure to the SQ-R that is differentially predictive of distinct types of visual processing associated with ASD.

No description available.

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the two visual systems hypothesis (Milner & Goodale, 1995) and the planning-control hypothesis (Glover, 2002). Experiment 1 required the participants to make rapid aiming movements to 25 cm and 35 cm tails-in, no tails, or tails-out Müller-Lyer stimuli following a 0 ms or 5000 ms no-vision delay. In Experiment 2, the participants executed their movements with full vision of the Müller-Lyer vertices that either remained the same or changed to a different configuration upon movement initiation. Vision was occluded either 350 ms or 450 ms after the onset of the movement. Experiment 3 was similar to Experiment 2, except the amount of visual feedback for on-line control was constrained to 200 ms, 400 ms, or 600 ms. The results of these experiments are problematic for both hypotheses. The participants exhibited a similar pattern of illusion-induced bias in both short and long delay conditions. In addition, the magnitude of the aiming bias increased as the movement unfolded (Experiment 1). Furthermore, even though participants were engaging in on-line control the illusion continued to exert its effects on aiming during the latter stages of the movement (Experiment 2). This effect was also observed when participants had sufficient time to process visual feedback in order to modify their movements (Experiment 3). Taken together, the results suggest that on-line control is biased by visual illusions. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This bachelor degree work explores textile print with illusionary qualities, and aims to challenge the viewers visual perception and ideas of reality. With focus on creating three-dimensional illusionary prints the motive is to question how we evaluate design in relation to society and expected imagery. By working with the techniques of weaving, digitally developed print and transfer printing techniques this work strives to create an opportunity for the viewer to expand their idea of reality.

With the help of Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason this paper aims to investigate the very possibility of philosophical reflection. Starting from a reading of two Eugen Fink texts, a phenomenologically discovered question is posed and a critical response attempted. It will be shown how, by orienting itself upon the subjective feeling of reason’s demand for the unconditioned, critical thought is then able to restrict itself to a valid use of reason, thus securing its own possibility. The transcendental methodology employed by Kant and the concept of pure apperception will also be discussed as key components in the facilitation of philosophical reflection. The Kantian response offered here is largely centred around the concept of transcendental illusion as discussed in the ‘Transcendental Dialectic’ and by taking related concepts such as transcendental reflection into consideration it is subsequently shown that, despite being raised here phenomenologically, the question of philosophical reflection is very much of interest to critical thought.

Syftet med examensarbetet var att formge en armatur som är mer intressant än de som i huvudsak hänger i ett konferensrum. Att göra något som är spännande att betrakta som artefakt i sig, inte bara som ljuskälla. Men det var även viktigt för mig att se hur det är att arbeta som formgivare med ett företag. Min metod bestod av att undersöka verkliga konferensrum och prata med de som använder dem. Det viktiga var att utgå från användaren och platsen. I min prototyp använde jag plåt, men materialet är inte det viktiga i min produkt, tyngdpunkten ligger på dess form. I mitt skissande utgick jag från en bro, den i sin tur övergick till en vattenvåg som blev som en illusion – en armatur som är föränderlig beroende på var man står när man betraktar den. Resultatet, blev en för ögat, tilltalande armatur som i dubbel bemärkelse kan lysa upp ett konferensrum.

No description available.

Abstract Gambling is a universal activity, although not a recently studied behavior in Sociological literature. This study uses symbolic interaction, play, and illusion of control theories to examine luck rituals at casino slots. Gamblers were observed through covert participant observations over a seven-month observation period in The casino, and yielded 388 observations. Analysis of the gamblers demonstrated the fact that luck rituals do exist and are used at the slot machines in a casino setting. Luck rituals are associated with participants’ belief in their ability to control the uncontrollable. The illusion of control provides a framework through which the results are discussed. Illusions of control are particularly likely to occur in situations with a high amount of uncertainty. This study showed that more women and African Americans participate in luck rituals than men.

abstract: Previous research has shown that perceptual illusions can enhance golf putting performance, and the effect has been explained as being due to enhanced expectancies. The present study was designed to further understand this effect by measuring putting in 3 additional variations to the Ebbinghaus illusion and by measuring putting kinematics. Nineteen ASU students with minimal golf experience putted to the following illusion conditions: a target, a target surrounded by small circles, a target surrounded by large circles, a target surrounded by both large and small circles, no target surrounded by small circles and no target surrounded by large circles. Neither perceived target size nor putting error was significantly affected by the illusion conditions. Time to peak speed was found to be significantly greater for the two conditions with no target, and lowest for the condition with the target by itself. Suggestions for future research include having split groups with and without perceived performance feedback as well as general performance feedback. The size conditions utilized within this study should continue to be explored as more consistent data could be collected within groups. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Human Systems Engineering 2019

Uppsatsen behandlar "Gösta Berlings Saga" och framförallt Gösta Berling som en föränderling karaktär samt en tolkning av hur han förändras genom bokens gång. Uppsatsen handlar om hur olika händelser och andra karaktärer i boken påverkar Gösta Berling och hur han lever i en illusion som han inte är förmögen att ta sig ur med egna krafter. Uppsatsen visar en teori om hur kvinnorna mognar före Gösta Berling och hur han får hjälp med att ta sig ur den illusion han lever i.