Primates, including humans, explore their visual environment with sequences of gaze fixations interrupted by saccadic eye movements that re-orient the fovea to objects of interest. This visual behavior is thought to involve two separate processes. First, the current foveal image is analyzed and the next object of interest is selected as a saccade target. Second, previously examined objects are retained to prevent their re-examination. Visual behavior has been studied successfully using the visual search paradigm, in which subjects locate a unique target stimulus from amongst multiple distracting stimuli. Models of visual search posit that the process of saccade target selection is guided by a visual salience map. This map receives both stimulus-driven and goal-directed inputs to form representations of visual objects, and a competition between those representations is played out to determine the next saccade target. Neurophysiological studies using nonhuman primates have suggested that the salience map is distributed across a network of brain areas that includes the midbrain superior colliculus (SC). These studies, however, have not ruled out the possibility that selective activity for a saccade target may instead be related to the preparation of the saccade. Moreover, not much is known about the selection of a saccade target beyond the first in a sequence of gaze fixations. Finally, the mechanisms underlying the process of saccade target retention are not well understood. In this thesis, I will investigate the role of the primate SC in visual behavior by recording the activity of single neurons while monkeys perform visual search tasks. The major findings will describe 1) how SC sensory-motor neurons instantiate the visual salience map; 2) how this salience map is dynamically updated so that saccade targets are retained; and 3) how multiple representations on this salience map are processed in parallel for saccade target selection. Given SC’s role in the control of visual behavior and its position within the network involved in cognitive processes, these findings have important implications for our understanding of the neural basis of human cognition and of its dysfunctions in disease states. / Thesis (Ph.D, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-12-22 09:52:20.143

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da incerteza a respeito da direção do deslocamento de um alvo na estratégia visual e controle motor em uma tarefa de interceptação. Participaram do Experimento I 17 voluntários, executando movimentos manuais interceptativos de um alvo virtual projetado em uma tela de LCD. A tarefa interceptativa foi executada com um mouse sem fio. Os participantes foram submetidos a três condições experimentais em duas velocidades: (1) certeza de descolamento com direção inicial do alvo inalterada, (2) 50% de incerteza de mudança na direção de deslocamento do alvo, e (3) certeza de mudança na direção de deslocamento do alvo. Participaram do Experimento II 20 voluntários destros diferentes dos do experimento anterior, que executaram a mesma tarefa descrita no Experimento I. Dez voluntários integraram o grupo que recebeu informação prévia sobre a probabilidade de deslocamento do alvo antes de cada série de tentativas (INF), e os demais integraram o grupo que não recebeu informação prévia (SI). Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a três condições de avaliação: (1) 25% de certeza de mudança na direção do alvo, (2) 50% de certeza de mudança na direção do alvo, e (3) 75% de certeza de mudança na direção do alvo. Os resultados revelaram que o comportamento visual é modulado pela velocidade e incerteza sobre o deslocamento do alvo. Foi encontrado também que o conhecimento prévio sobre a probabilidade de deslocamento do alvo influenciou a estratégia visual utilizada e o desempenho da interceptação. Comportamentos preditivos foram evidenciados tanto no comportamento visual quanto no motor / The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of uncertainty about direction of target displacement on the visual strategy and motor control in an interception task. Seventeen volunteers participated of Experiment I. They performed interceptive manual movements of a virtual target projected on a LCD screen. The task was performed with a wireless mouse. Participants were submitted to three experimental conditions in two speeds: (1) certainty about unchanged initial target displacement direction, (2) 50% of uncertainty about change of target displacement direction, and (3) certainty about change of initial target displacement direction. Twenty volunteers different from Experiment I participated of Experiment II. Participants performed the same task described in the first experiment. Ten volunteers were assigned to a group which received prior information about the probability of displacement of the target before each condition (INF), and the others were assigned to a group that received no prior information (SI). The groups were evaluated in three conditions: 25%, 50% and 75% of uncertainty about change of target direction. Results of this study revealed that visual behavior is modulated by target speed and uncertainty about the target\'s motion. We also found that prior knowledge about the probability of the target\'s movement influenced the visual strategy used and the performance of the interception. Predictive behaviors were evidenced in both the visual and motor behavior

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da incerteza a respeito da direção do deslocamento de um alvo na estratégia visual e controle motor em uma tarefa de interceptação. Participaram do Experimento I 17 voluntários, executando movimentos manuais interceptativos de um alvo virtual projetado em uma tela de LCD. A tarefa interceptativa foi executada com um mouse sem fio. Os participantes foram submetidos a três condições experimentais em duas velocidades: (1) certeza de descolamento com direção inicial do alvo inalterada, (2) 50% de incerteza de mudança na direção de deslocamento do alvo, e (3) certeza de mudança na direção de deslocamento do alvo. Participaram do Experimento II 20 voluntários destros diferentes dos do experimento anterior, que executaram a mesma tarefa descrita no Experimento I. Dez voluntários integraram o grupo que recebeu informação prévia sobre a probabilidade de deslocamento do alvo antes de cada série de tentativas (INF), e os demais integraram o grupo que não recebeu informação prévia (SI). Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a três condições de avaliação: (1) 25% de certeza de mudança na direção do alvo, (2) 50% de certeza de mudança na direção do alvo, e (3) 75% de certeza de mudança na direção do alvo. Os resultados revelaram que o comportamento visual é modulado pela velocidade e incerteza sobre o deslocamento do alvo. Foi encontrado também que o conhecimento prévio sobre a probabilidade de deslocamento do alvo influenciou a estratégia visual utilizada e o desempenho da interceptação. Comportamentos preditivos foram evidenciados tanto no comportamento visual quanto no motor / The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of uncertainty about direction of target displacement on the visual strategy and motor control in an interception task. Seventeen volunteers participated of Experiment I. They performed interceptive manual movements of a virtual target projected on a LCD screen. The task was performed with a wireless mouse. Participants were submitted to three experimental conditions in two speeds: (1) certainty about unchanged initial target displacement direction, (2) 50% of uncertainty about change of target displacement direction, and (3) certainty about change of initial target displacement direction. Twenty volunteers different from Experiment I participated of Experiment II. Participants performed the same task described in the first experiment. Ten volunteers were assigned to a group which received prior information about the probability of displacement of the target before each condition (INF), and the others were assigned to a group that received no prior information (SI). The groups were evaluated in three conditions: 25%, 50% and 75% of uncertainty about change of target direction. Results of this study revealed that visual behavior is modulated by target speed and uncertainty about the target\'s motion. We also found that prior knowledge about the probability of the target\'s movement influenced the visual strategy used and the performance of the interception. Predictive behaviors were evidenced in both the visual and motor behavior

A propaganda em sites de pesquisa utilizando anúncios orgânicos e patrocinados corresponde a uma estratégia de Marketing que propicia a interação entre empresas e seu público alvo a partir da utilização de palavras-chave ao efetuar a pesquisa online, dessa forma, os sites de pesquisa agem como intermediários entre necessidades dos consumidores e o grande número de informações disponíveis nas páginas da web. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo verificar como é a relação entre atenção aos anúncios orgânicos e patrocinados e tipos de comportamento visual acerca da intenção de compra online. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre os Canais de Comunicação Online, Anúncios Orgânicos e Patrocinados bem como a utilização e eficácia desses tipos de anúncios, também foi abordado sobre a Intenção de Compra Online, Tipos de Comportamento Visual e, por fim, foi traçada a relação entre esses fatores. Na sequência, a partir da coleta de dados primária realizada com 100 estudantes da Faculdade de Administração, Economia e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto (FEA-RP/USP) - foi realizado um estudo quantitativo e descritivo utilizando o equipamento eye-tracking seguido da aplicação de um questionário. Utilizou-se a técnica estatística de Regressão Logística com Efeito Aleatório, que permite verificar o comportamento de um indivíduo em cenários diferentes e atender aos objetivos do estudo. A partir da análise, foi possível verificar que os indivíduos têm maior tendência a optar por Anúncios Patrocinados dos sites de pesquisa e que esse fato está positivamente relacionado à atenção visual e independe do tipo do Comportamento Visual que possui. Esses resultados fornecem informações relevantes acerca de apresentação de anúncios em sites de pesquisa, além de proporcionar reflexões teóricas para pesquisas nessa área / Advertising on search sites using organic and sponsored ads corresponds to a Marketing strategy that allows the interaction between companies and their target audience from the use of keywords when doing online search, in this way, the search sites act as intermediary consumer needs and the large number of information available on web pages. Thus, this study aims to verify how the relationship between attention in organic and sponsored ads and types of visual behavior about the intention to buy online. A review of the literature on Online Communication Channels, Organic and Sponsored Ads as well as the use and effectiveness of these types of ads was also made on Online Intention, Types of Visual Behavior and, finally, relationship between these factors. A quantitative and descriptive study was carried out using the eye-tracking equipment, followed by the application of the results obtained from the primary data collection with 100 students from the - School of Economics, Administration and Accounting of Ribeirao Preto (FEA-RP/USP) - a quantitative and descriptive study was performed using eye-tracking equipment followed by the application of a questionnaire. The statistical technique of Logistic Regression with Random Effect was used, which allows to verify the behavior of people in different scenarios and to meet the objectives of the study. From the analysis, it was possible to verify that the individuals have a greater tendency to choose Sponsored Ads of the research sites and this fact is positively related to the visual attention and independent of the type of Visual Behavior. These results provide relevant information about the display of ads on search sites, as well as provide theoretical insights for searches in this area

A propaganda em sites de pesquisa utilizando anúncios orgânicos e patrocinados corresponde a uma estratégia de Marketing que propicia a interação entre empresas e seu público alvo a partir da utilização de palavras-chave ao efetuar a pesquisa online, dessa forma, os sites de pesquisa agem como intermediários entre necessidades dos consumidores e o grande número de informações disponíveis nas páginas da web. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo verificar como é a relação entre atenção aos anúncios orgânicos e patrocinados e tipos de comportamento visual acerca da intenção de compra online. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre os Canais de Comunicação Online, Anúncios Orgânicos e Patrocinados bem como a utilização e eficácia desses tipos de anúncios, também foi abordado sobre a Intenção de Compra Online, Tipos de Comportamento Visual e, por fim, foi traçada a relação entre esses fatores. Na sequência, a partir da coleta de dados primária realizada com 100 estudantes da Faculdade de Administração, Economia e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto (FEA-RP/USP) - foi realizado um estudo quantitativo e descritivo utilizando o equipamento eye-tracking seguido da aplicação de um questionário. Utilizou-se a técnica estatística de Regressão Logística com Efeito Aleatório, que permite verificar o comportamento de um indivíduo em cenários diferentes e atender aos objetivos do estudo. A partir da análise, foi possível verificar que os indivíduos têm maior tendência a optar por Anúncios Patrocinados dos sites de pesquisa e que esse fato está positivamente relacionado à atenção visual e independe do tipo do Comportamento Visual que possui. Esses resultados fornecem informações relevantes acerca de apresentação de anúncios em sites de pesquisa, além de proporcionar reflexões teóricas para pesquisas nessa área / Advertising on search sites using organic and sponsored ads corresponds to a Marketing strategy that allows the interaction between companies and their target audience from the use of keywords when doing online search, in this way, the search sites act as intermediary consumer needs and the large number of information available on web pages. Thus, this study aims to verify how the relationship between attention in organic and sponsored ads and types of visual behavior about the intention to buy online. A review of the literature on Online Communication Channels, Organic and Sponsored Ads as well as the use and effectiveness of these types of ads was also made on Online Intention, Types of Visual Behavior and, finally, relationship between these factors. A quantitative and descriptive study was carried out using the eye-tracking equipment, followed by the application of the results obtained from the primary data collection with 100 students from the - School of Economics, Administration and Accounting of Ribeirao Preto (FEA-RP/USP) - a quantitative and descriptive study was performed using eye-tracking equipment followed by the application of a questionnaire. The statistical technique of Logistic Regression with Random Effect was used, which allows to verify the behavior of people in different scenarios and to meet the objectives of the study. From the analysis, it was possible to verify that the individuals have a greater tendency to choose Sponsored Ads of the research sites and this fact is positively related to the visual attention and independent of the type of Visual Behavior. These results provide relevant information about the display of ads on search sites, as well as provide theoretical insights for searches in this area

The thesis Framing of News Photography in the Czech Press on the Example of the Civil War in Libya explores the visual coverage of the conflict by Czech print media. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with the theory of framing. It also focuses on the role of media in armed conflicts, visual behavior of media, the specifics of war photography and its framing. Furthermore the thesis explores the important relationship between image and text. The research draws on extensive literature on media framing as well as foreign research and combines quantitative and qualitative analysis. The practical part is based on the theory of Johan Galtung and his concepts of war and peace journalism, which can be seen as two competing frames. One of the first visual quantitative analysis to apply Galtung's theory was carried out by Shahira Fahmy and Rico Neumann. This study was used as a basis for the thesis. The aim of the research was to determine what visual frames are used to cover the war in the Czech press. Quantitative research focused on three sets of characteristics - picture position and sources, content and formal elements and framing. The most important part of the analysis was to determine the roles of the individuals in the images. The roles were essential for determining of the frames. The purpose...

Les trampolinistes repoussent continuellement les limites de leur sport en présentant de nouvelles acrobaties lors des compétitions. La complexité de la biomécanique impliquée dans les acrobaties complique la création de nouvelles acrobaties qui soient à la fois réalistes et sécuritaires. Malheureusement, l’essai-erreur de techniques acrobatiques innovantes comporte des risques pour les athlètes. Pour éviter les blessures, les entraîneurs commencent souvent par enseigner des techniques génériques à leurs athlètes, puis les guident empiriquement dans une personnalisation ou une amélioration étape par étape de ces techniques. Cette méthode peut être chronophage et ne pas toujours produire des résultats optimaux. La simulation prédictive est une alternative numérique sécuritaire, offrant aux entraîneurs des techniques acrobatiques performantes, sécuritaires et innovantes. À ce jour, les études qui ont investigué les techniques acrobatiques en utilisant la simulation prédictive n’ont considéré que quelques degrés de liberté, n’ont pas pris en compte le besoin d’information visuelle des athlètes et n’ont pas évalué l’impact de la morphologie des athlètes sur les techniques acrobatiques, limitant le transfert des techniques vers le terrain. Cette thèse visait à approfondir la connaissance sur les techniques acrobatiques aériennes pour améliorer la performance des trampolinistes canadiens grâce à un projet MITACS impliquant À nous le podium, Gymnastique Canada et l’Institut National du Sport du Québec. Cinq objectifs spécifiques ont été définis : (1) évaluer l’amélioration de la performance de vrille apportée par l’utilisation de mou- vements de bras tridimensionnels (3D) au lieu de bidimensionnels (2D), (2) identifier les techniques les plus efficaces pour les saltos vrillés se terminant en position carpée en incluant des contraintes de non-collision, (3) évaluer l’impact des caractéristiques anthropométriques sur les techniques acroba- tiques optimales, (4) évaluer le comportement visuomoteur des trampolinistes élites et sous-élites lors de saltos vrillés en utilisant un oculomètre et (5) identifier des techniques acrobatiques efficaces et sécuritaires en incluant des objectifs visuels. La première étude a comparé la vrille créée en utilisant des mouvements de bras optimaux 2D et 3D. Un problème de commande optimale a été formulé pour maximiser la vrille lors d’un salto arrière tendu en utilisant l’abduction/adduction des bras avec (3D) et sans (2D) changements de plan d’élévation. L’utilisation de mouvements de bras 3D a permis de générer jusqu’à 4,9 vrilles au lieu de 2,94 avec les techniques 2D. Pour des performances similaires, nous avons également observé que les techniques 3D étaient plus simples et nécessitaient moins d’efforts que les techniques 2D. Cette étude a introduit un principe d’entraînement : une performance de vrille optimale peut être atteinte en déplaçant le bras dans un plan formé par les axes de vrille et du moment cinétique, appelé best tilting plane. Dans une deuxième étude, des techniques de durée minimale pour une, deux ou trois vrilles avant de carper ont été générées avec et sans contrainte de non-collision. Nous avons montré que les contraintes de non-collision modifient les techniques optimales sans augmenter de manière significative la durée des mouvements (une vrille : p=0,69, deux vrilles : p=0,85, trois vrilles : p=0,07). Cette étude suggère que les athlètes pourraient générer jusqu’à trois vrilles lors d’un salto avant de terminer en position carpée, une acrobatie qui n’a encore jamais été réalisée en compétition. Cette étude a mis en évidence une stratégie de vrille 3D efficace : un mouvement circulaire des hanches. En testant cette stratégie avec une athlète élite féminine, nous avons observé une amélioration significative de sa performance. Dans une troisième étude, nous avons évalué les techniques optimales de double salto avant en position carpée se terminant avec 11/2 ou 21/2 vrilles générées en utilisant les paramètres inertiels des segments de 18 athlètes acrobatiques. Cinq, trois et deux stratégies de vrilles ont été identifiées à partir de la cinématique du bras droit, du bras gauche et des hanches, respectivement. L’utilisation de ces stratégies différait dépendamment de l’anthropométrie considérée et l’amplitude d’exécution des stratégies a varié jusqu’à 27%. Cette étude a introduit une méthode pour estimer le potentiel de vrille de chaque athlète afin d’aider les entraîneurs à faire des choix éclairés de techniques acrobatiques et à fournir des instructions appropriées à des athlètes d’une grande diversité corporelle. Dans une quatrième étude, nous avons caractérisé le comportement du regard des trampolinistes en comparant les stratégies utilisées par huit élites et neuf sous-élites lors de quatre acrobaties. Les trampolinistes étaient équipés de 17 centrales inertielles et d’un oculomètre portatif. Nous avons observé que le comportement visuomoteur des deux groupes était similaire, avec seulement une différence révélée : les élites ont fait plus de fixations que les athlètes sous-élites (p=0,033). Cette étude a également révélé une stratégie visuelle spécifique au sport que nous avons appelée détection du mouvement propre, qui consiste à ne pas bouger les yeux pendant les rotations rapides de la tête. La stratégie de détection du mouvement propre était principalement utilisée durant la phase de vrille des acrobaties. Enfin, dans la cinquième étude, nous avons généré des techniques acrobatiques optimales qui permettraient aux athlètes d’utiliser l’information visuelle pour corriger leurs erreurs d’exécution. Pour atteindre ce but, des objectifs imitant le comportement du regard des trampolinistes identifié dans la quatrième étude ont été inclus dans la fonction coût du problème de commande optimale. La pertinence de ces objectifs a été confirmée puisque les techniques acrobatiques générées étaient similaires à la technique d’une athlète élite. Cette étude a révélé que les athlètes modifient l’instant d’initiation de leur vrille pour permettre de voir plus longtemps la toile du trampoline. Dans cette étude, nous avons été les premiers à solliciter l’avis d’entraineurs et de juges pour évaluer la pertinence des techniques simulées. Les juges ont préféré les techniques optimales a la technique dune athlete elite (salto arrière tendu incluant une vrille : -0.13 contre -0.22, double salto arrière carpé incluant 2 vrilles : -0.13 contre -0.43 point de déduction selon le code de pointage). En conclusion, cette thèse a contribué à augmenter le réalisme des techniques générées par simulation prédictive en incluant un degré de liberté supplémentaire à l’épaule, des contraintes de non-collision, des objectifs visuels et les paramètres inertiels des segments de plusieurs athlètes. Des implications pratiques pour l’entraînement ont été extraites des tech- niques optimales générées pour le salto arrière vrillé tendu, le salto vrillé avant se terminant en position carpée et le double salto avant carpé se terminant en vrille. Des principes d’entraînement émergeant des simulations ont été testés sur des athlètes réels avec succès. Ces principes seront transférés sur le terrain au cours du prochain cycle olympique. / Trampolinists continuously push the sport’s limits by presenting novel acrobatics in com- petitions. The complex biomechanics involved in trampoline acrobatics makes it challenging for coaches to create new, feasible, and safe acrobatics. Unfortunately, trial-and-error of innovative acrobatic techniques is risky for athletes. To avoid injuries, coaches often start by teaching established generic techniques to their athletes and then empirically guide them in a step-by-step personalization or enhancement of the techniques. This method can be time-consuming and may not always yield optimal results, as safety must be ensured at each step. Predictive simulation is a safe numerical alternative, providing coaches with efficient, safe, and innovative acrobatic techniques. Currently, studies investigating acrobatic techniques using predictive simulation have considered only a few degrees of freedom and have not considered the athletes’ need for visual feedback nor the impact of the athletes’ morphology on the acrobatic techniques, limiting the transferability of the techniques to the field. This thesis aimed to deepen the knowledge relative to aerial acrobatic techniques to increase trampolinists’ performance, especially in Canada, thanks to a MITACS project involving Own the Podium, Gymnastics Canada and Institut National du Sport du Québec. Five specific objectives were defined: (1) assess the twist creation performance improvement brought by using three- dimensional (3D) instead of two-dimensional (2D) arm movements; (2) identify the most efficient techniques for twisting somersaults ending in pike position by including non-collision constraints; (3) assess the impact of anthropometry characteristics on optimal acrobatic techniques; (4) assess the visuomotor behavior of elite and sub-elite trampolinists during twisting somersaults using eye-tracking; and (5) identify efficient and safe acrobatic techniques by including visual objectives. The first study compared the twist rotation created using optimal 2D and 3D arm movements. An optimal control problem was stated to maximize the twist rotation during a straight backward somersault using arm abduction/adduction with (3D) and without (2D) changes in plane of elevation. Using 3D arm movements allowed for generating up to 4.9 twists instead of 2.94 using 2D techniques. For similar performances, we also observed that 3D techniques were simpler and required less effort than 2D techniques. This study introduced a coaching principle: optimal twisting performance can be achieved by moving the arm in a plane formed by the twisting and angular momentum axes, termed as the best tilting plane. In a second study, minimum duration techniques for one, two, or three twists before piking were generated with and without a non-collision constraint. We showed that non-collision constraints modified the optimal techniques without significantly increasing movement duration (one twist: p=0.69, two twists: p=0.85, three twists: p=0.07). This study suggests that athletes could generate up to three twists during a forward somersault ending in pike position, an acrobatic that has never been performed in competition. This study highlighted an efficient 3D twisting strategy, namely, a circular motion of the hips. When we tested this strategy with one elite female athlete, we saw a significant performance improvement. In the third study, we assessed the differences in optimal techniques of double forward somersault in pike position ending with 11/2 or 21/2 twists generated using the segment inertial parameters of 18 acrobatic athletes. Five, three, and two twisting strategies were identified from the kinematics of the right arm, left arm, and hips, respectively. The usage of these strategies differed depending on the anthropometry considered, and the execution amplitude of the techniques varied up to 27%. This study introduced a method to estimate each athlete’s twist potential to help coaches make enlightened choices regarding acrobatic techniques. This study should help coaches provide appropriate instructions to athletes on a wide range of body diversity. In the fourth study, we characterized the gaze behavior of trampolinists by comparing the strategies used by eight elites and nine sub-elites during the execution of four acrobatics. Trampolinists were equipped with 17 inertial measurement units and a wearable eye-tracker. We observed a similar visuomotor behavior between both groups, with only one difference revealed: elites did more fixations than sub-elite athletes (p=0.033). This study also revealed a unique sport-specific visual strategy that we termed self-motion detection, which consists of not moving the eyes during fast head rotations. Self-motion detection was mainly used during the twisting phase of the acrobatics. Finally, in the fifth study, we generated optimal acrobatic techniques that would allow athletes to use visual feedback to correct execution errors. To achieve this goal, objective terms mimicking the gaze behavior of trampolinists identified in the fourth study were included in the optimal control problem cost function. The relevance of these objective terms was confirmed as the acrobatic techniques generated were closer to an elite athlete’s technique. This study revealed that athletes modify the timing of their twist rotation to allow seeing the trampoline bed longer. In this study, we were the first to seek the opinions of coaches and judges to evaluate the relevance of the simulated techniques. Judges preferred the optimal techniques to an elite athlete’s technique (straight backward somersault including one twist: -0.13 vs -0.22, piked double backward somersault with two twists: -0.13 vs -0.43 point deducted according to the code of points). In conclusion, this thesis helped increase the realism of techniques generated through predictive simulations by including an additional degree of freedom at the shoulder, non-collision constraints, visual objectives, and segment inertial parameters from multiple athletes. Practical implications for coaching were extracted from the optimal techniques generated for the straight backward twisting somersault, the forward twisting somersault ending in pike position, and the double forward pike somersault ending with twists. Some coaching principles emerging from the simulations were successfully tested with real athletes. These principles will be transferred to the field during the upcoming Olympic cycle.

Technology pervades our daily living, and is increasingly integrated into the vehicle – directly affecting driving. On the one hand technology such as cell phones provoke driver distraction and inattention, whereas, on the other hand, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) support the driver in the driving task. The question is, can a driver successfully adapt to the ever growing technological advancements? Thus, this thesis aimed at improving safe driver behaviour by understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms that influence behavioural change. Previous research on ADAS and human attention was reviewed in the context of driver behavioural adaptation. Empirical data from multiple data sources such as driving performance data, visual behaviour data, video footage, and subjective data were analyzed to evaluate two ADAS (a brake-capacity forward collision warning system, B-FCW, and a Visual Distraction Alert System, VDA-System). Results from a field operational test (EuroFOT) showed that brake-capacity forward collision warnings lead to immediate attention allocation toward the roadway and drivers hit the brake, yet change their initial response later on by directing their eyes toward the warning source in the instrument cluster. A similar phenomenon of drivers changing initial behaviour was found in a driving simulator study assessing a Visual Distraction Alert System. Analysis showed that a Visual Distraction Alert System successfully assists drivers in redirecting attention to the relevant aspects of the driving task and significantly improves driving performance. The effects are discussed with regard to behavioural adaptation, calibration and system acceptance. Based on these findings a novel assessment for human-machine-interaction (HMI) of ADAS was introduced. Based on the contribution of this thesis and previous best-practices, a holistic safety management model on accident prevention strategies (before, during and after driving) was developed. The DO-IT BEST Feedback Model is a comprehensive feedback strategy including driver feedback at various time scales and therefore is expected to provide an added benefit for distraction and inattention prevention. The central contributions of this work are to advance research in the field of traffic psychology in the context of attention allocation strategies, and to improve the ability to design future safety systems with the human factor in focus. The thesis consists of the introduction of the conducted research, six publications in full text and a comprehensive conclusion of the publications. In brief this thesis intends to improve safe driver behaviour by understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms that influence behavioral change, thereby resulting in more attention allocation to the forward roadway, and improved vehicle control. / Technologie durchdringt unser tägliches Leben und ist zunehmend integriert in Fahrzeuge – das Resultat sind veränderte Anforderungen an Fahrzeugführer. Einerseits besteht die Gefahr, dass er durch die Bedienung innovativer Technologien (z.B. Mobiltelefone) unachtsam wird und visuell abgelenkt ist, andererseits kann die Nutzung von Fahrerassistenzsystemen die den Fahrer bei der Fahraufgabe unterstützten einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Fahrsicherheit bieten. Die steigende Aktualität beider Problematiken wirft die Frage auf: "Kann der Fahrer sich erfolgreich dem ständig wachsenden technologischen Fortschritt anpassen?" Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist der Erkenntnisgewinn zur Verbesserung des Fahrverhaltens indem der Verhaltensänderungen zugrunde liegende psychologische Mechanismen untersucht werden. Eine Vielzahl an Literatur zu Fahrerassistenzsystemen und Aufmerksamkeitsverteilung wurde vor dem Hintergrund von Verhaltensanpassung der Fahrer recherchiert. Daten mehrerer empirischer Quellen, z. B. Fahrverhalten, Blickbewegungen, Videomitschnitte und subjektive Daten dienten zur Datenauswertung zweier Fahrerassistenzsysteme. Im Rahmen einer Feldstudie zeigte sich, dass Bremskapazitäts-Kollisionswarnungen zur sofortigen visuellen Aufmerksamkeitsverteilung zur Fahrbahn und zum Bremsen führen, Fahrer allerdings ihre Reaktion anpassen indem sie zur Warnanzeige im Kombinationsinstrument schauen. Ein anderes Phänomen der Verhaltensanpassung wurde in einer Fahrsimulatorstudie zur Untersuchung eines Ablenkungswarnsystems, das dabei hilft die Blicke von Autofahrern stets auf die Straße zu lenken, gefunden. Diese Ergebnisse weisen nach, dass solch ein System unterstützt achtsamer zu sein und sicherer zu fahren. Die vorliegenden Befunde wurden im Zusammenhang zu Vorbefunden zur Verhaltensanpassung zu Fahrerassistenzsystemen, Fahrerkalibrierung und Akzeptanz von Technik diskutiert. Basierend auf den gewonnenen Erkenntnissen wurde ein neues Vorgehen zur Untersuchung von Mensch- Maschine-Interaktion eingeführt. Aufbauend auf den Resultaten der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein ganzheitliches Modell zur Fahrsicherheit und -management, das DO-IT BEST Feedback Modell, entwickelt. Das Modell bezieht sich auf multitemporale Fahrer-Feedbackstrategien und soll somit einen entscheidenen Beitrag zur Verkehrssicherheit und dem Umgang mit Fahrerunaufmerksamkeit leisten. Die zentralen Beiträge dieser Arbeit sind die Gewinnung neuer Erkenntnisse in den Bereichen der Angewandten Psychologie und der Verkehrspsychologie in den Kontexten der Aufmerksamkeitsverteilung und der Verbesserung der Gestaltung von Fahrerassistenzsystemen fokusierend auf den Bediener. Die Dissertation besteht aus einem Einleitungsteil, drei empirischen Beiträgen sowie drei Buchkapiteln und einer abschliessenden Zusammenfassung.

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Technology pervades our daily living, and is increasingly integrated into the vehicle – directly affecting driving. On the one hand technology such as cell phones provoke driver distraction and inattention, whereas, on the other hand, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) support the driver in the driving task. The question is, can a driver successfully adapt to the ever growing technological advancements? Thus, this thesis aimed at improving safe driver behaviour by understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms that influence behavioural change. Previous research on ADAS and human attention was reviewed in the context of driver behavioural adaptation. Empirical data from multiple data sources such as driving performance data, visual behaviour data, video footage, and subjective data were analyzed to evaluate two ADAS (a brake-capacity forward collision warning system, B-FCW, and a Visual Distraction Alert System, VDA-System). Results from a field operational test (EuroFOT) showed that brake-capacity forward collision warnings lead to immediate attention allocation toward the roadway and drivers hit the brake, yet change their initial response later on by directing their eyes toward the warning source in the instrument cluster. A similar phenomenon of drivers changing initial behaviour was found in a driving simulator study assessing a Visual Distraction Alert System. Analysis showed that a Visual Distraction Alert System successfully assists drivers in redirecting attention to the relevant aspects of the driving task and significantly improves driving performance. The effects are discussed with regard to behavioural adaptation, calibration and system acceptance. Based on these findings a novel assessment for human-machine-interaction (HMI) of ADAS was introduced. Based on the contribution of this thesis and previous best-practices, a holistic safety management model on accident prevention strategies (before, during and after driving) was developed. The DO-IT BEST Feedback Model is a comprehensive feedback strategy including driver feedback at various time scales and therefore is expected to provide an added benefit for distraction and inattention prevention. The central contributions of this work are to advance research in the field of traffic psychology in the context of attention allocation strategies, and to improve the ability to design future safety systems with the human factor in focus. The thesis consists of the introduction of the conducted research, six publications in full text and a comprehensive conclusion of the publications. In brief this thesis intends to improve safe driver behaviour by understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms that influence behavioral change, thereby resulting in more attention allocation to the forward roadway, and improved vehicle control.:Abstract i Zusammenfassung iii List of included publications v Acknowledgements vii Previously published work ix Table of contents xi Preface xii 1 Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Outline 1 1.2 Objectives 2 1.3 Background 8 1.3.1 Behavioural adaption to ADAS 8 1.3.2 Driver distraction and inattention 9 2 Chapter 2 Paper I 23 3 Chapter 3 Paper II 47 4 Chapter 4 Paper III 61 5 Chapter 5 Paper IV 91 6 Chapter 6 Paper V 117 7 Chapter 7 Paper VI 143 8 Chapter 8 Conclusions and discussion 161 8.1. Contributions 161 8.2. Implications 171 8.3. Limitations and research needs 173 9 References 177 Curriculum Vitae 199 Eidesstattliche Erklärung 201 / Technologie durchdringt unser tägliches Leben und ist zunehmend integriert in Fahrzeuge – das Resultat sind veränderte Anforderungen an Fahrzeugführer. Einerseits besteht die Gefahr, dass er durch die Bedienung innovativer Technologien (z.B. Mobiltelefone) unachtsam wird und visuell abgelenkt ist, andererseits kann die Nutzung von Fahrerassistenzsystemen die den Fahrer bei der Fahraufgabe unterstützten einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Fahrsicherheit bieten. Die steigende Aktualität beider Problematiken wirft die Frage auf: "Kann der Fahrer sich erfolgreich dem ständig wachsenden technologischen Fortschritt anpassen?" Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist der Erkenntnisgewinn zur Verbesserung des Fahrverhaltens indem der Verhaltensänderungen zugrunde liegende psychologische Mechanismen untersucht werden. Eine Vielzahl an Literatur zu Fahrerassistenzsystemen und Aufmerksamkeitsverteilung wurde vor dem Hintergrund von Verhaltensanpassung der Fahrer recherchiert. Daten mehrerer empirischer Quellen, z. B. Fahrverhalten, Blickbewegungen, Videomitschnitte und subjektive Daten dienten zur Datenauswertung zweier Fahrerassistenzsysteme. Im Rahmen einer Feldstudie zeigte sich, dass Bremskapazitäts-Kollisionswarnungen zur sofortigen visuellen Aufmerksamkeitsverteilung zur Fahrbahn und zum Bremsen führen, Fahrer allerdings ihre Reaktion anpassen indem sie zur Warnanzeige im Kombinationsinstrument schauen. Ein anderes Phänomen der Verhaltensanpassung wurde in einer Fahrsimulatorstudie zur Untersuchung eines Ablenkungswarnsystems, das dabei hilft die Blicke von Autofahrern stets auf die Straße zu lenken, gefunden. Diese Ergebnisse weisen nach, dass solch ein System unterstützt achtsamer zu sein und sicherer zu fahren. Die vorliegenden Befunde wurden im Zusammenhang zu Vorbefunden zur Verhaltensanpassung zu Fahrerassistenzsystemen, Fahrerkalibrierung und Akzeptanz von Technik diskutiert. Basierend auf den gewonnenen Erkenntnissen wurde ein neues Vorgehen zur Untersuchung von Mensch- Maschine-Interaktion eingeführt. Aufbauend auf den Resultaten der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein ganzheitliches Modell zur Fahrsicherheit und -management, das DO-IT BEST Feedback Modell, entwickelt. Das Modell bezieht sich auf multitemporale Fahrer-Feedbackstrategien und soll somit einen entscheidenen Beitrag zur Verkehrssicherheit und dem Umgang mit Fahrerunaufmerksamkeit leisten. Die zentralen Beiträge dieser Arbeit sind die Gewinnung neuer Erkenntnisse in den Bereichen der Angewandten Psychologie und der Verkehrspsychologie in den Kontexten der Aufmerksamkeitsverteilung und der Verbesserung der Gestaltung von Fahrerassistenzsystemen fokusierend auf den Bediener. Die Dissertation besteht aus einem Einleitungsteil, drei empirischen Beiträgen sowie drei Buchkapiteln und einer abschliessenden Zusammenfassung.:Abstract i Zusammenfassung iii List of included publications v Acknowledgements vii Previously published work ix Table of contents xi Preface xii 1 Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Outline 1 1.2 Objectives 2 1.3 Background 8 1.3.1 Behavioural adaption to ADAS 8 1.3.2 Driver distraction and inattention 9 2 Chapter 2 Paper I 23 3 Chapter 3 Paper II 47 4 Chapter 4 Paper III 61 5 Chapter 5 Paper IV 91 6 Chapter 6 Paper V 117 7 Chapter 7 Paper VI 143 8 Chapter 8 Conclusions and discussion 161 8.1. Contributions 161 8.2. Implications 171 8.3. Limitations and research needs 173 9 References 177 Curriculum Vitae 199 Eidesstattliche Erklärung 201