Vehicle manufacturers strive for an increasingly efficient and faster development process. Although computer-aided engineering has made significant progress toward a fully virtual development process, a challenge remains in integrating human subjective feedback to fully close the virtual development loop. Subjective assessment of ride and driving characteristics are still very important traits of a passenger car. Moving-base driving simulators have the ability to introduce the human into the virtual development loop, thus enabling subjective assessment of virtual vehicle models. Such an introduction has the potential to significantly speed up the development process and at the same time save resources by avoiding physical testing and providing informed decisions in the early phase of vehicle development cycles. The challenge to do so lies in the possibility to evaluate a vehicle in a driving simulator, which is highly dependent on the motion cueing. Motion cueing algorithms are used to map the vehicle motion into the confined workspace of a driving simulator. As of today, these algorithms are still often tuned and evaluated subjectively. The challenge with this approach is that it does not guarantee the fidelity of the cueing and it needs physical vehicles to be compared with. This work thus focuses on the objective development and evaluation of motion cueing, which potentially could enable high fidelity motion cueing in the early stages of the vehicle development process, when prototypes are not available. This is very important for winter testing since the testing is challenging with regards to ambient conditions, the limited testing season and the increasing need to speed up the development process. The goal of this work is to move towards an objective approach to cueing evaluation based on physical models combining vehicle model, simulator, and human. Therefore, this thesis presents an objective methodology to motion cueing evaluation and development. Based on the state-of-the-art review, this work addresses the need for simple linear models to evaluate the fidelity of motion cueing algorithms. The linear model is applied to the problem of positioning the longitudinal axis of rotation of the simulator cabin and shows promising results when compared to time series-based optimisation and subjective assessment. Furthermore, using the same model to improve the motion cueing by introducing tilt coordination shows that even though the immersion is improved, the tilt coordination changes the perceived vehicle characteristics. To objectively evaluate different yaw cueing strategies in winter conditions, a more detailed human model is introduced that extends the state-of-the-art vestibular organ models by introducing gaze stabilisation using a model of the vestibulo-collic reflex. The cueing evaluation indicates the potential of separating slip angle feedback from the high-pass filtering of motion cues, as well as the advantage of using the vehicle’s motion as a target for cueing optimisation rather than the human vestibular response in winter handling evaluation. By addressing the inherent skewing of vehicle characteristics in motion cueing and suggesting improvements to the evaluation and cueing strategies, this work contributes to the possibility of virtually evaluating the vehicle dynamic characteristics in driving simulators under winter conditions.

Orientador: Marcelo Augusto Assunção Sanches / Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um dispositivo de estimulação vibro-tátil para reabilitação de pacientes com Doença de Parkinson (DP), que é uma doença progressiva e neurodegenerativa. A utilização de dispositivos que proporcionam estímulos externos, denominados pistas externas, podem melhorar os sintomas motores em pacientes com DP, principalmente os relacionados à marcha. Mesmo com evidências sobre a melhora na marcha, ainda não há um consenso sobre qual o melhor tipo de pista e, principalmente, a melhor configuração para a utilização, como posicionamento do dispositivo no paciente, frequência do estímulo, instante de ativação, dentre outros. Desta forma, neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um estimulador vibro-tátil com algumas flexibilidades, permitindo assim que o dispositivo não seja utilizado apenas no tratamento da DP, mas também em trabalhos de investigação sobre a forma mais eficaz de aplicação de pistas vibro-táteis. O dispositivo é composto por módulos independentes, um módulo de controle remoto e módulos de estimulação. Os módulos de estimulação podem ser fixados em diferentes partes do corpo e oferecem frequência variável. O dispositivo permite que o profissional da saúde tenha o controle do momento de aplicação e de retirada do estímulo, apenas utilizando um módulo de controle wireless. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que o acionamento do dispositivo pode ser realizado a uma distância de até 100 m, sem perder comunicação. A faixa de f... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of the present work was to develop a vibro-tactile stimulation device for the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD), which is a progressive and neurodegenerative disease. The use of devices that provide external clues, called external cueing, may improve motor symptoms in patients with PD, especially those related to gait. Even with evidence of improvement in gait, there is still no consensus as to the best type of cueing and specially the best configuration for use, such as device positioning in the patient, stimulus frequency, activation time, among others. Thus, in this work a vibro-tactile stimulator with some flexibilities was developed, allowing the device not to be used only in the treatment of PD, but also in research on the most effective way of applying vibro-tactile cueing. The device consists of independent modules, a remote control module and stimulation modules. These can be attached to different parts of the body and offer varying frequency. The device allows the health professional to have control of the moment of application and withdrawal of the stimulus, only using a wireless control module. The obtained results showed that the activation of the device can be carried out from a distance of up to 100m, without losing communication. The frequency range that can be used in this device is 170 Hz to 310 Hz. Initially there are two modules of stimulation, however it can be expanded to several modules, because the communication protocol ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A capacidade de adaptação das respostas posturais automáticas de acordo com informações do contexto indica uma interação entre dois níveis de controle, em que o processamento cognitivo de alta ordem das características de uma perturbação iminente seria capaz de modular o controle postural em níveis inferiores do sistema sensoriomotor. Os estudos aqui propostos procuram responder quais informações sobre as características da perturbação são utilizadas pelo central set para modular as respostas posturais automáticas. A tarefa estudada consistiu na recuperação do equilíbrio da postura ereta em resposta à translação da base de suporte. No Experimento 1, foi avaliada a influência de dicas visuais sobre a amplitude de deslocamento da base de suporte em sequências repetitivas ou aleatórias de perturbação. No Experimento 2, a dica de amplitude de deslocamento foi dada por meio da sequência de perturbações, comparando-se tentativas repetidas em bloco, em sequência conhecida e em sequência aleatória. No Experimento 3, foi avaliado o efeito de incerteza tanto da amplitude da perturbação quanto do tempo de aplicação da perturbação. O Experimento 4 teve como propósito avaliar a interação entre dica temporal e tarefa cognitiva concomitante à recuperação do equilíbrio. Os resultados mostram que (a) informações prévias sobre a magnitude da perturbação postural parecem ser incapazes de modular respostas posturais automáticas; (b) modulação de respostas posturais automáticas a partir de uma sequência repetitiva de perturbações aparentemente está associada à adaptação do sistema sensoriomotor e não à participação de processamento cognitivo das características físicas da perturbação iminente; (c) previsibilidade temporal da perturbação postural induz uma otimização das respostas posturais automáticas; e (d) a execução de tarefa cognitiva no momento da perturbação inibe o ganho de estabilidade de respostas posturais automáticas conferido pela dica temporal. Como conclusão, parece haver uma limitação do processamento cognitivo em modular respostas posturais automáticas. Considerando-se que o conceito de central set expressa a noção de que processamento cognitivo de dicas contextuais é capaz de otimizar respostas posturais automáticas, nossos resultados sugerem a necessidade da revisão deste conceito amplamente empregado na literatura de controle postural / Adaptability of automatic postural responses according to context information indicates an interaction between two levels of control, in which the high-order cognitive processing of the perturbation characteristics would be able to modulate postural control in lower levels of the sensorimotor system. The studies proposed here intended to scrutinize what cues about the perturbation characteristics are used by the central set to modulate the automatic postural responses. The task studied consisted in the recovery of postural equilibrium in response to a posterior translation of the support base. In Experiment 1, it was evaluated the effect of precueing the displacement amplitude of the supporting base in repetitive or random perturbation sequences. In Experiment 2, precueing of the support base displacement was provided by the sequence of perturbations, comparing repetitive trials, known sequence and random sequence. In Experiment 3, we evaluated the effect of uncertainty about amplitude and time of perturbation. Experiment 4 aimed to evaluate the interaction of temporal precueing and a concurrent cognitive task on body equilibrium recovery. Results show that (a) previous information about perturbation magnitude seems to be unable to modulate automatic postural responses; (b) modulation of automatic postural responses from a repetitive sequence of perturbations is apparently associated with an adaptation of the sensorimotor system rather than to the participation of cognitive processing of the perturbation characteristics; (c) temporal predictability of the postural perturbation induces optimization of automatic postural responses; and (d) cognitive task execution at the time of the perturbation inhibits the gain of automatic postural responses stability provided by temporal precueing. As a conclusion, there seems to be a limitation of cognitive processing to modulate automatic postural responses. Considering that the concept of central set expresses the notion that cognitive processing of a contextual precue is able to optimize automatic postural responses, our results suggest the need for revision of this conceptualization widely used in the postural control literature

The goal of our studies was to test the effect of segmentation, cueing, and 2D/3D presentations to foster complex animation rocessing. The material was an upright mechanical piano system. We used an eye tracking system which provides information about learners' attention direction during the animation processing. We analyzed the effect of the format presentations and the eye movements during learning. Based on animation and multimedia research background, four experiments were conducted. In the first experiment the effect of the presentation of simplified external representations on learning from complex animation was investigated. Experiment two and three aimed at studying the cognitive processes involved in learning to complex mechanism system with new cueing techniques with spatial-temporal colored tokens. In the fourth experiment, 2D and 3D presentation of the same animated content were compared. Results of these experiments showed that (1) the use of a dual format presentation is better for developing a dynamic mental model from the animation than a single format, (2) the signaling strategies using cued tokens of dual format can guide efficiently learner's building of mental model and can enhance learner's comprehension of complex system, (3) a sequential format presentation followed by an animation format presentation helps the learner to understand the key stages of a dynamic process and to create a high quality mental model, (4) 3D animation presentation is better than 2D animation presentation to direct attention on relevant component of the animation. For depth processing, comprehension with 3D animation presentation is better than 2D animation format. Eye tracking measures provided insights into how people understood and learned complex systems. The analysis of eye tracking also contributed to the understanding of the subject's perceptual processing during learning. Overall, results provide a significant contribution in the field of learning with complex animation. Recommendations in the ergonomics area for the design of animations are proposed.

A capacidade de adaptação das respostas posturais automáticas de acordo com informações do contexto indica uma interação entre dois níveis de controle, em que o processamento cognitivo de alta ordem das características de uma perturbação iminente seria capaz de modular o controle postural em níveis inferiores do sistema sensoriomotor. Os estudos aqui propostos procuram responder quais informações sobre as características da perturbação são utilizadas pelo central set para modular as respostas posturais automáticas. A tarefa estudada consistiu na recuperação do equilíbrio da postura ereta em resposta à translação da base de suporte. No Experimento 1, foi avaliada a influência de dicas visuais sobre a amplitude de deslocamento da base de suporte em sequências repetitivas ou aleatórias de perturbação. No Experimento 2, a dica de amplitude de deslocamento foi dada por meio da sequência de perturbações, comparando-se tentativas repetidas em bloco, em sequência conhecida e em sequência aleatória. No Experimento 3, foi avaliado o efeito de incerteza tanto da amplitude da perturbação quanto do tempo de aplicação da perturbação. O Experimento 4 teve como propósito avaliar a interação entre dica temporal e tarefa cognitiva concomitante à recuperação do equilíbrio. Os resultados mostram que (a) informações prévias sobre a magnitude da perturbação postural parecem ser incapazes de modular respostas posturais automáticas; (b) modulação de respostas posturais automáticas a partir de uma sequência repetitiva de perturbações aparentemente está associada à adaptação do sistema sensoriomotor e não à participação de processamento cognitivo das características físicas da perturbação iminente; (c) previsibilidade temporal da perturbação postural induz uma otimização das respostas posturais automáticas; e (d) a execução de tarefa cognitiva no momento da perturbação inibe o ganho de estabilidade de respostas posturais automáticas conferido pela dica temporal. Como conclusão, parece haver uma limitação do processamento cognitivo em modular respostas posturais automáticas. Considerando-se que o conceito de central set expressa a noção de que processamento cognitivo de dicas contextuais é capaz de otimizar respostas posturais automáticas, nossos resultados sugerem a necessidade da revisão deste conceito amplamente empregado na literatura de controle postural / Adaptability of automatic postural responses according to context information indicates an interaction between two levels of control, in which the high-order cognitive processing of the perturbation characteristics would be able to modulate postural control in lower levels of the sensorimotor system. The studies proposed here intended to scrutinize what cues about the perturbation characteristics are used by the central set to modulate the automatic postural responses. The task studied consisted in the recovery of postural equilibrium in response to a posterior translation of the support base. In Experiment 1, it was evaluated the effect of precueing the displacement amplitude of the supporting base in repetitive or random perturbation sequences. In Experiment 2, precueing of the support base displacement was provided by the sequence of perturbations, comparing repetitive trials, known sequence and random sequence. In Experiment 3, we evaluated the effect of uncertainty about amplitude and time of perturbation. Experiment 4 aimed to evaluate the interaction of temporal precueing and a concurrent cognitive task on body equilibrium recovery. Results show that (a) previous information about perturbation magnitude seems to be unable to modulate automatic postural responses; (b) modulation of automatic postural responses from a repetitive sequence of perturbations is apparently associated with an adaptation of the sensorimotor system rather than to the participation of cognitive processing of the perturbation characteristics; (c) temporal predictability of the postural perturbation induces optimization of automatic postural responses; and (d) cognitive task execution at the time of the perturbation inhibits the gain of automatic postural responses stability provided by temporal precueing. As a conclusion, there seems to be a limitation of cognitive processing to modulate automatic postural responses. Considering that the concept of central set expresses the notion that cognitive processing of a contextual precue is able to optimize automatic postural responses, our results suggest the need for revision of this conceptualization widely used in the postural control literature

Les environnements virtuels sont des outils de plus en plus fréquemment utilisés dans le domaine de la formation sans que leur conception soit systématiquement guidée par des préconisations ergonomiques. Ce travail de thèse propose d’élaborer et d’évaluer des recommandations ergonomiques relatives au guidage de l’apprenant au cours de son apprentissage en EVAH (Environnement Virtuel pour l'Apprentissage Humain). Après avoir évalué l’utilité pour l’apprentissage d’un EVAH destiné à des techniciens de laboratoire, deux expériences ont été menées afin de déterminer un guidage optimal de l’apprenant lors de sa formation au lancement de tests de coagulation. La première expérience analysait l’impact d’une organisation hiérarchique d’instructions sonores sur l’apprentissage. La deuxième évaluait les modalités de présentation d’un guidage visuel et leurs conséquences sur l’acquisition de la procédure. Les résultats obtenus à l’issue de ces deux expériences ont permis de proposer des recommandations ergonomiques quant à la conception d’un guidage sonore et d’un guidage visuel de l’apprenant lors de l’acquisition d’une procédure. Enfin, ces recommandations ont été implémentées dans l’EVAH. Ainsi « amélioré », il a été confronté à l’environnement virtuel de référence dans le but d’évaluer l’efficacité des préconisations. Les résultats montrent que la prise en compte des recommandations ergonomiques proposées améliore les performances des apprenants. / Virtual environments are tools that are becoming more frequently used in the field of training, however their design is not systematically guided by ergonomic considerations. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of ergonomic recommendations to guide the learner during VET (Virtual Environment for Training) training. After evaluating the usefulness of STA-R Virtuel, a VET for laboratory technicians, two experiments were conducted to determine optimal ways of cueing the learner during their training in the execution of coagulation tests. The first experiment analyzed the impact on learning of a hierarchical organization of auditory instructions. The second evaluated different ways of presenting a visual guide and their impact on learned proficiency in the procedure. The results obtained at the end of these two experiments were then used to develop ergonomic recommendations for the design of auditory and visual cues to enhance learner performance. Finally, these recommendations were implemented in the VET. The improved version was compared with the reference virtual environment in order to assess the effectiveness of the recommendations. The results show that the inclusion of the proposed ergonomic recommendations improves the learners' performance.

Les magiciens trompent souvent l’esprit des spectateurs en manipulant certaines de leurs limites cognitives. Ainsi, la magie offre probablement un terrain original pour étudier certains processus cognitifs tels que la perception, l’attention, le raisonnement... Dans cette thèse, nous proposons plusieurs recherches qui tentent d’étudier scientifiquement les mécanismes psychologiques en jeu dans la prestidigitation. Dans une première partie, nous discutons de l’intérêt de cette « science de la magie » en passant en revue les principales recherches du siècle dernier à aujourd’hui, puis en discutant de plusieurs terrains d’investigations inexplorés et sans doute prometteurs. Dans une seconde partie, nous centrons nos recherches sur une illusion perceptive robuste dans laquelle les participants ont l’impression de « voir » une balle disparaître en l’air : la Vanishing Ball Illusion (VBI). Dans une première étude, nous explorons le rôle du regard du magicien dans la sensibilité à cette illusion. Dans une seconde étude, nous testons l’hypothèse selon laquelle la VBI serait basée sur un effet de Representational Momentum, ce dernier se référant à la tendance des observateurs à "se souvenir" du point d'arrêt d'une scène dynamique de façon décalée dans le sens du mouvement. Dans une troisième partie, nous explorons les mécanismes psychologiques en jeu dans un autre outil très utilisé par les magiciens et peu étudié par la psychologie à ce jour : l’utilisation d’une « fausse solution ». Pour terminer, nous discutons de l’ensemble des résultats et abordons différentes perspectives de recherches qui nous semblent prometteuses dans le domaine de la psychologie de la prestidigitation. / Magicians often trick spectators’ mind by manipulating some of their cognitive limitations. Thus, magic offers an original basis for studying cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, reasoning, etc. In this vein, the present thesis proposes some research that scientifically explores the psychological mechanisms at stake in magic tricks. In the first part of the manuscript, we discuss the interests of an “experimental science of magic” by reviewing the main research from the last century to the present and by presenting some yet unexplored promising areas. In the second part, we focus our research on a robust illusion in which participants ‘‘perceive’’ an imaginary ball disappearing into the air: the Vanishing Ball Illusion (VBI). In a first experimental study, we explore the role of the magician’s gaze in illusion sensitivity. In a second study, we test the hypothesis that VBI could be based on a Representational Momentum effect, the latter referring to the tendency of observers to perceive the stopping point of a moving scene as being located farther ahead in the direction of motion than it really is. In the third part of our manuscript, we explore the psychological mechanisms at stake in another tool often used by magicians and poorly known to psychologists: the use of a “false solution”. Finally, we discuss the overall results and we propose promising research perspectives in the “science of magic”.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an evidence-based practice targeting the communication deficits of children with complex communication needs (CCN). While young children with communication disorders are attending preschool and using AAC, and specifically speech-generating devices (SGDs), with increasing frequency, best practices for implementation with this population are largely unexplored. In an effort to contribute to the knowledge base for teachers, the essential communication partners for children in the classroom setting, this research explored the interactions of four teacher-child dyads and analyzed the prompts and cues used to elicit communicative acts from the children. Results of statistical and descriptive analyses revealed that, while teachers overwhelmingly favor and use verbal prompts over other stimuli, these prompts were no more effective in eliciting communicative acts. These results indicate that teachers would benefit from instruction in a variety of techniques for enhancing communication via AAC; future research directions towards this purpose are detailed.

Automated vehicles (AVs) have been developing at a rapid pace over the past few years. However, many difficulties still remain for achieving full Level-5 AVs. This signifies that AVs still require human operators to intervene or assist, such as taking over control of AVs or selecting their routes. Therefore, teleoperation can be seen as a subsystem of AVs that can remotely control and supervise a vehicle when needed. However, teleoperated driving conditions are largely different from real-life driving, so remote drivers may experience different driving feedback. In such a situation, therefore, the driving behaviour and performance of remote drivers can also be impacted. The following three studies were conducted to investigate these points. First, a seamless comparative study was carried out between teleoperated and real-life driving. Driving behaviour and performance were compared in two scenarios: slalom and lane following. Significant differences in driving behaviour and performance between them were found in the study. The lane following deviation during teleoperated driving is much greater than that of real-life driving. In addition, remote drivers are more likely to drive slower and make more steering corrections in lane following manoeuvres. Second, three types of steering force feedback (SFF) modes were compared separately in both teleoperated and real-life driving to investigate the effect of SFF on driving experience. The three SFF modes consist of Physical model-based steering force Feedback (PsF), Modular model-based steering force Feedback (MsF), and No steering force Feedback (NsF). The difference between PsF and MsF is that the main forces come from different sources, namely the estimated tyre force and steering motor current, respectively. As expected, the experimental results indicate that NsF would significantly reduce the driving experience in both driving conditions. In addition, remote drivers were found to require reduced steering feedback force and returnability. Finally, the influence of motion-cueing, sound, and vibration feedback on driving behaviour and experience was studied in a virtual teleoperation platform based on the IPG CarMaker environment. The prototype of a teleoperated driving station (TDS) with motion-cueing, sound, and vibration feedback was first developed to study human factors in teleoperated driving. Then, the low-speed disturbance scenario and high-speed dynamic scenario were used separately to investigate how these factors affect driving. Experimental results indicate that sound and vibration feedback can be an important factor in speed control by providing remote drivers a sense of speed. In the low-speed disturbance scenario, motion-cueing feedback can help with road surface perception and improve the driving experience. However, it did not significantly improve driving performance in the high-speed dynamic scenario. The research conducted reveals how driving behaviour may change in teleoperated driving and how different driving feedback influences it. These results could provide guidance for improving teleoperated driving in future research and serve as a guide for policymaking related to teleoperation. / Självkörande fordon (AV) har utvecklats i snabb takt de senaste åren. Men det finns fortfarande många utmaningar innan man når  helt självkörande fordon. Följaktligen krävs fortfarande säkerhetsförare när AV-enheter är i drift och i framtida drift kan AV-enheter stöta på oväntade problem som en människa behöver lösa. Fjärrövervakning kan därför ses som ett  backupsystem, som kan fjärrstyra och övervaka fordonet när det inte fungerar. Men situationen  vid fjärrstyrning är helt annorlunda än för körning i verkligheten, där fjärroperatörer kan uppleva olik återkoppling  och känslor jämfört med körning i verkligheten. Därför kan även fjärroperatörernas körbeteende och prestanda ändras i denna situation. För att undersöka detta utfördes följande tre studier. För det första genomfördes en sömlös jämförelsestudie mellan fjärrstyrning och verklig körning. Körbeteende och prestanda jämfördes i två scenarier, nämligen slalom och linjeföljning. Signifikanta skillnader i körbeteende och prestanda hittades mellan fjärrstyrning och körning i verkligheten. Avvikelse från linjeföljning vid fjärrstyrning är betydligt större än för körning i verkligheten. Dessutom är det mer sannolikt att fjärroperatörer kör i lägre hastigheter och gör fler styrkorrigeringar vid fjärrstyrning.  För det andra jämfördes tre typer av styrkraftsåterkopplingsmodeller (SFF) separat i både fjärrstyrning och verklig körning för att undersöka SFF:s inverkan på körupplevelsen. De tre SFF-modellerna inkluderar en  modell för fysisk återkoppling (PsF), modell för modulär återkoppling (MsF) och ingen återkoppling (NsF). Skillnaden mellan PsF och MsF är att huvudkrafterna härrör från olika källor, nämligen respektive från den matematiskt uppskattade däckkraften och från styrmotorströmmen. Som förväntat tyder resultaten av experimentet på att NsF avsevärt skulle minska körupplevelsen vid både fjärrstyrning och körning i verkligheten. Vid fjärrstyrning upptäcktes också  att operatörer kräver minskad styråterkopplingskraft och returförmåga.  Slutligen studerades påverkan av rörelsestyrning, ljud och vibrationsfeedback på körbeteende och upplevelse. Prototypen av fjärrkontrolltorn  med rörelsestyrning, ljud och vibrationsfeedback utvecklades först för att studera mänskliga faktorer vid fjärrstyrning. Sedan användes ett låghastighetsscenario med störningar och det dynamiska höghastighetsscenariot separat för att undersöka hur dessa faktorer påverkar körning vid fjärrstyrning. Resultaten av experimentet indikerar att ljud- och vibrationsåterkoppling kan vara till stor hjälp för att reglera  hastigheten genom att ge operatörerna medvetenhet om hastighet. I låghastighetsscenariot kan återkoppling  från rörelsestyrning underlätta uppfattningen av vägytan och förbättra körupplevelsen. Den ökade dock inte nämnvärt dynamisk körprestanda  i hög hastighet.  Denna forskning undersöker hur körbeteendet kan förändras vid fjärrstyrning och hur olika återkopplingar till operatör påverka körning på distans. Dessa resultat kan  ge vägledning om hur man kan förbättra fjärrstyrning i framtida forskning och fungera som en referens för skapande av regler kopplat till fjärrövervakning och fjärrstyrning. / <p>QC 230504</p>

People unconsciously learn spatial information about places they encounter frequently, leading them to search through familiar scenes faster than for unfamiliar scenes. We explored this phenomenon—the contextual cueing effect—in scenes containing images of different human faces. Participants searched through a series of scenes for a target among distractors, characterized as a letter T among letter L’s with each letter positioned on top of a face image (Experiment 1) or as a female face among male faces (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 showed that when the binding of identity and location was manipulated during learning, slightly greater (but not statistically significant) contextual cueing effects were found for repeated scenes with constant identity-to-location binding than those repeated scenes with constant spatial configurations but shuffled identity-to-location binding. Experiment 2 showed that if the binding of identity-to-location changed after the learning of a set of identity-to-location binding, small (but not statistically significant) costs of contextual cueing were found. The results suggest that in the contextual cueing paradigm, repeated identity-to-location binding might be learned but the learning of repeated spatial configurations alone account for a major portion of the learning. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)