Filmen Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) presenterar ett antal scener som är till synes orelaterade till filmens övergripande handling. Filmens titel antyder att dessa scener möjligen kan vara minnen ur titelkaraktärens tidigare liv, emellertid finns det ytters lite underlag för en sådan tolkning i själva filmen. Syftet blir därmed att närmare undersöka dessa scener, att söka tematiska kopplingar mellan dessa scener och filmen som helhet, samt att försöka komma fram till hur dessa scener kan ses arbeta med minnen.Laura U. Marks bok, The Skin of the Film (2000), har valts som underlag för den följande analysen i förhoppning att de tankar som läggs fram där skall kunna nyttjas för att tolka och diskutera de nämnda scenerna i filmen. I arbetet nyttjas därtill den metod som förespråkas av det hermeneutiska vetenskapsidealet för att erhålla kunskap.Arbetet visar på att filmen inte nödvändigtvis söker att gestalta minnen utan kan ses locka åskådaren till att minnas genom att presentera bilder som bäst förstås genom kroppslig inlevelse i bilden, kort sagt; filmen söker att aktivera åskådarens minne genom bilder med haptiska kvaliteter. Detta görs samtidigt som filmen ständigt återkommer till samma tema; resan till naturen. Åskådaren får alltså både bevittna filmens karaktärers resa och lockas till att själv uppleva detta utifrån sina egna minnen. Naturen är dock inte nödvändigtvis resans mål, filmen ses snarare försöka föra åskådaren till ett visst sinnestillstånd.

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Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

This study represents an investigation into the effect of multiple production techniques on the recall and retention of information of university students. The purpose of the study was to determine how the ‘Voice of God’ narration affects recall and retention of information compared to an on-camera interview. In documentary video, conveying information is one of the key goals of the director. In most cases, the conveyance of information in itself is insufficient. The director seeks the emotional participation of the audience so that they can become aware of a specific issue. In this mediated environment, the producer’s attempts at reaching the audience are interwoven with the producer’s capability to facilitate the audience’s recall of information. By using the ‘Voice of God’ narration, a director can enhance the narrative and make the information more understandable. Theory suggests that the use of multiple production techniques can either have a negative or positive impact on the processing of information. This statement is based on different experiments that were done by researchers on how various production techniques affect the information processing of an individual. The theoretical basis of the study is rooted in the metatheory, cybernetics. Within cybernetics, the narrative theory explains the structure of the story and how it is conveyed to an audience. Voice-over in documentary video is situated in the narrative theory because the structure of the information the voice-over gives to an audience is of utmost importance. From the theoretical basis, this study uses Lang’s (2000) limited capacity model of mediated message processing to investigate the effect of narration (voice-over) as embedded in documentary video. Specifically, it addresses the mediator’s (in documentary video, the producer’s) goal of maximum information recall by the receiver of the message. The application of Lang’s model is outlined in an empirical design that explores recall of message content and the retention of information in two ways; the recall and retention of information presented through an on-camera interview and the recall and retention of information presented by a narrator whilst images are shown that do not include an image of the narrator him/herself (Voice of God narration). Two experiments were designed for the purpose of this study in which 37 students from the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus participated. The students were divided into two groups; group one watched the video where the information is presented by an on-camera-interview, and group two watched the video where the information is presented by a ‘Voice of God’ narrator. Two questionnaires were given to the groups at two different times. The results obtained suggest that there is no significant difference in the production techniques and the recall and retention of information. Based on the results, certain recommendations are made for future research, which include modifying the message and research design. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this thesis was to investigate fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption among Swedish adults and to use F&V-related perceptions for audience segmentation. Further, the aim was to identify motives and approaches of F&V bloggers, as well as to analyze F&V-related online discourses. F&V consumption and related perceptions were surveyed using a questionnaire among a random sample of Swedish adults (18-84y; final response rate 51%; n=1 304). F&V consumption was measured using a self-administered pre-coded 24-h recall and FFQ. The average consumption was close to the recommendations. Women in general and men born outside Sweden as well as the physically active respondents consumed the most F&V. The respondents were divided into two clusters based on their F&V-related perceptions. Positive cluster with more women and higher mean age consumed more F&V, whereas Indifferent cluster experienced more practical, habitual as well as external problems with F&V consumption. Cluster analysis is an example of audience segmentation for communicative purposes. A sample of 50 lay-people blogs with F&V-related content were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis. Two-dimensional categories – level of dietary influential purpose and source of experience – were used to identify blogger ideal types. Exhibitionist with a passive level of dietary influence and lived experiences was the most common type. Persuaders use lived experiences to actively influence their readers, whereas Authorities try to influence mediating others’ experiences. The Mediator is described as a neutral observer. Understanding the role of blogs in everyday communication is important for targeting health messages. A critical discourse analysis was applied to Persuader bloggers’ texts (n=12). Three F&V-related discourses were identified: normative consumption, authentic consumption and altruistic consumption. This analysis is useful for the last process of dietetic communication, namely tailoring the messages. The present four studies approach dietetic communication processes from a research perspective. However, a further step might be to apply these to a health promotion initiative starting from an identified diet-related problem (e.g. low F&V consumption) through audience segmentation (e.g. through cluster analysis) and targeting a relevant channel (e.g. through blogs) finally to tailor the message (e.g. findings from discourse analysis).

abstract: ABSTRACT This study investigated the possibility of item parameter drift (IPD) in a calculus placement examination administered to approximately 3,000 students at a large university in the United States. A single form of the exam was administered continuously for a period of two years, possibly allowing later examinees to have prior knowledge of specific items on the exam. An analysis of IPD was conducted to explore evidence of possible item exposure. Two assumptions concerning items exposure were made: 1) item recall and item exposure are positively correlated, and 2) item exposure results in the items becoming easier over time. Special consideration was given to two contextual item characteristics: 1) item location within the test, specifically items at the beginning and end of the exam, and 2) the use of an associated diagram. The hypotheses stated that these item characteristics would make the items easier to recall and, therefore, more likely to be exposed, resulting in item drift. BILOG-MG 3 was used to calibrate the items and assess for IPD. No evidence was found to support the hypotheses that the items located at the beginning of the test or with an associated diagram drifted as a result of item exposure. Three items among the last ten on the exam drifted significantly and became easier, consistent with item exposure. However, in this study, the possible effects of item exposure could not be separated from the effects of other potential factors such as speededness, curriculum changes, better test preparation on the part of subsequent examinees, or guessing. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Educational Psychology 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of DVDs in enhancing student vocabulary development in second-language contexts. To this end the study sought students’ perceptions of DVD subtitles and their level of vocabulary knowledge. It also examined the extent to which watching a DVD with or without intralingual subtitles can improve students’ vocabulary recognition and recall. The literature review included a discussion on the variables operant in second-language acquisition; the use of visual media on vocabulary learning; and the effects of subtitling practices as a didactic tool for vocabulary recall and recognition. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and data were collected through a survey and openended questionnaire; a Vocabulary Levels Test; a Vocabulary Knowledge Scale Test; and vocabulary intervention activities. The findings indicate that DVDs can enhance students’ vocabulary in second-language teaching and learning contexts. More importantly the study confirms audio-visual images create greater sensory input that is, “words associated with actual objects or imagery techniques, are learned more easily than those without” (Chun and Plass, 1996:183). / English Studies / M.A. (TESOL)

The present study investigated the impact of certain and uncertain socialinformation on pain perception and memory. We hypothesized that theuncertain feedback group would experience higher pain intensity. Further, thatthe uncertain group would remember fewer pictures than the certain group.Participants were 42 undergraduate students from a medium-sized universityin Sweden who received, depending on group assignment, either certain oruncertain feedback about the pain intensity in the upcoming cold-pressor test.Following feedback, the participants performed two categorization tasksduring which they had to indicate whether the picture showed a living thing oran object. During the second task they also had to perform the cold-pressortest. Thirty minutes after the cold-pressor test participants performed asurprise recall test with regard to the pictures presented during thecategorization tasks. The two groups did not differ in self-reported uncertaintyabout their expectation of pain during the cold-pressor test but the uncertainfeedback group expected the cold-pressor test to be more painful than thecertain feedback group. We found no differences between the groups in eitherperception or recall. Finally, recall was impaired for pictures presentedduring the cold-pressor test, independent of group. In sum, our hypotheseswere not supported. Suggestion for future research is to manipulate thefeedback in another way to make it clearer for the participants. / Den aktuella studien utredde betydelsen av osäker och säker socialinformation för smärtintensitet och minne. Studiens hypotes var att den osäkragruppen skulle uppleva högre smärtintensitet och att den osäkra gruppenskulle komma ihåg mindre bilder än den grupp som fick säker information.Deltagarna var 42 studenter på ett medelstort universitet i Sverige, beroendepå vilken grupp de hamnade i fick de antingen osäker eller säker socialinformation om smärtintensiteten på det kommande kallvattentestet. Efter densociala informationen utfördes två kategoriseringsuppgifter där de skulle angeom en bild föreställde något levande eller ett objekt, både före och underkallvattentestet, med ett överraskande minnestest 30 minuter efterkallvattentestet på de bilder som visades under kategoriseringsuppgiften. Detvar ingen skillnad på grupperna i osäkerheten om deras förväntan avkallvattentestet. Däremot förväntade sig den gruppen som fick osäkerinformation att kallvattentestet skulle vara smärtsammare än de som fick densäkra informationen. Vi hittade ingen skillnad mellan grupperna i varkensmärtupplevelsen eller minnet. Till sist, minnet försämrades för bilderna sompresenterades under kallvattentestet, oberoende av vilken grupptillhörighetdeltagarna hade. För att summera så stöddes ingen av våra hypoteser. Förslagför kommande forskning är att manipulera hur den sociala informationen gesför att göra det mer tydligt för deltagarna.

For the purpose of the study we varied the outcome of a sequence of ambiguous behaviors performed by an imaginary individual during World War II. Compared to a control condition where no outcome was presented, this person either ended up saving Jews (heroic behavior) or denouncing Jews to the Gestapo (cowardly behavior). After one week, behavioral antecedents that were consistent with the outcome were likely to be recalled and communicated. Results suggest a tendency  towards forming extreme impressions of the target, depending on the outcome. These extreme impressions in turn guide the recall and evaluations of predictability, and also impact on communication about these episodes and thereby on the formation of collective memory. / Para el estudio se varió el resultado final de una secuencia ambigua de conductas realizadas por una persona ficticia durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Después de la secuencia ambigua de acciones, en una condición control no se producía ninguna consecuencia, en otra condición de heroísmo la persona salvaba la vida de Judíos y en otra condición de cobardía los denunciaba a la Gestapo. Los antecedentes congruentes con la conducta final se recordaron y comunicaron más una semana después. Esto sugiere una tendencia a inferir juicios extremos a partir de la conducta final del personaje, que a su vez influyen en el recuerdo en relación al nivel de previsibilidad de la conducta del personaje, e influyen en la comunicación sobre el hecho y la memoria colectiva.

O termo Memória de Trabalho descreve um sistema de curto prazo envolvido com a manipulação e o armazenamento de informações necessárias para a realização de tarefas cognitivas complexas como a aprendizagem e a compreensão. Neste estudo investigamos os processos de dissociação de características visuais e espaciais na memória de trabalho. Os dois primeiros experimentos tiveram como objetivo avaliar o uso dos flickers cromático e acromático na dissociação de características visuais e espaciais em tarefas de recordação e reconhecimento de sequências. O Experimento 1 indicou que, na tarefa de recordação, a condição visual foi prejudicada pelo flicker cromático, visual, mas não pelo flicker acromático, e nenhum resultado significativo foi encontrado na condição espacial. No Experimento 2, uma tarefa de reconhecimento, ambas as interferências prejudicaram o desempenho dos participantes, mas não de forma diferencial, ou seja, a interferência visual não afetou exclusivamente a tarefa visual nem a interferência espacial afetou exclusivamente a tarefa espacial. Verificaram-se indícios de conjunção incidental nas provas negativas da condição visual. A comparação entre o desempenho dos participantes nas tarefas de recordação e reconhecimento indicou um melhor desempenho na tarefa de reconhecimento do que na tarefa de recordação. O experimento 3 buscou equiparar a dificuldade das provas visual e espacial a fim de identificar a capacidade para a realização de tarefas exclusivamente visuais, espaciais e visuoespaciais. Os resultados sugerem que enquanto a capacidade espacial dos participantes para o reconhecimento de sequências de letras parece estar em três itens, a capacidade visual e a capacidade para o reconhecimento de características conjugadas parecem estar em dois itens. O experimento 4 teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do Ruído Visual Dinâmico (RVD) e da Estrela de Cinco Pontas na dissociação de características visuais e espaciais da memória de trabalho em tarefas de reconhecimento de sequências visuais, espaciais e visuoespaciais de dois e de três itens. Os participantes obtiveram um melhor desempenho na tarefa visual, indicando que esta pareceu ser a tarefa mais fácil entre as três realizadas. As interferências RVD (visual) e Estrela (espacial) não afetaram o desempenho dos participantes nas tarefas visual e visuoespacial, mas na tarefa espacial, ambas as interferências tiveram um efeito prejudicial no desempenho dos participantes, embora não de forma diferencial, como era esperado. Por outro lado, a análise dos resultados indicando que o RVD não representou uma interferência significativa para a memória de trabalho visual, pode ser indicativa de que o efeito de interferência do RVD só apareceria quando a demanda da tarefa de memória fosse alta, ou que seus efeitos podem não ser diretamente sobre a memória visual temporária, mas sim no processo de recuperação da informação visual da memória de longo prazo. / The term working memory describes a system of short-term memory involved with the handling and storage of information required to perform complex cognitive tasks such as learning and understanding. We investigated the processes of visual and spatial features dissociation in working memory. The first and the second experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of chromatic and achromatic flickers on the visual and spatial features dissociation in recall and recognition sequences tasks. Experiment 1 indicated that in the recall task, the visual condition was affected by chromatic, visual flicker, but not by achromatic flicker, and no significant results were found in the spatial condition. In Experiment 2, a recognition task, both interference delayed the participants results, but not differentially, i.e., visual interference didnt affect the visual task only or the spatial interference only affect the spatial task. There was evidence of incidental binding on negative trials in the visual condition. The comparison between participants\' performance on recall and recognition tasks showed a better performance in the recognition task than in the recall task. Experiment 3 aimed to equate the difficulty of tasks in order to identify the capacity to perform exclusively visual, spatial and visuospatial tasks. The results suggest the participants spatial capacity and visuospatial capacity on the recognition sequence of letters task of about three items, and the visual capacity of about two items. The experiment 4 aimed to evaluate the effect of Dynamic Visual Noise (DVN) and the Five-Pointed Star in dissociation of visual and spatial features of working memory in visual, spatial and visuospatial sequence recognition tasks, of two and three items. The participants better performance was reached in visual task, indicating that this seemed to be the easiest task of the three performed. The DVN (visual) and the Star (spatial) interferences did not affect participants\' performance on visual and visuospatial tasks, but in the spatial task, both interferences had a detrimental effect on the participants performance, although not differentially, as expected . On the other hand, the results indicate that DVN does not represent a significant interference for visual working memory, and this may be indicative that the effect of DVN only appear when the demand of memory task is high, and their effects can not be directly on the temporary visual memory, but in the process of recovery of visual information from the long-term memory.