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THE EFFECTS OF STIMULUS MOTION ON CONTRAST SENSITIVITY: DYNAMIC SENSITIVITY FUNCTIONS
Title
THE EFFECTS OF STIMULUS MOTION ON CONTRAST SENSITIVITY: DYNAMIC SENSITIVITY FUNCTIONS.
Creator
Zavod, Merrill, Rinalducci, Edward, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Static Visual Acuity (SVA) has been called into question for some time as a measure of overall visual system function and as a predictor of performance on real-life tasks requiring vision (i.e., operating an automobile). Specifically, it has been pointed out that the targets employed in most SVA testing (high contrast, stationary letters) are an insufficient analog to actual targets encountered in everyday activities, which are often in motion and/or of less-than-perfect contrast. In addition...
Show moreStatic Visual Acuity (SVA) has been called into question for some time as a measure of overall visual system function and as a predictor of performance on real-life tasks requiring vision (i.e., operating an automobile). Specifically, it has been pointed out that the targets employed in most SVA testing (high contrast, stationary letters) are an insufficient analog to actual targets encountered in everyday activities, which are often in motion and/or of less-than-perfect contrast. In addition, the size-threshold methodology typically used to measure SVA is incongruent with current theories of a multi-channel visual system. Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) and Contrast Sensitivity have been suggested as alternatives to SVA, but while each mitigates specific weaknesses of the SVA measure, neither addresses the shortcomings completely. Traditional DVA measures employ moving targets, but these targets are usually of perfect contrast and a size-threshold methodology is used to specify acuity levels. Contrast Sensitivity employs a contrast-threshold methodology and allows measurement of specific visual channels, but stationary targets are utilized. The present study combined the DVA and Contrast Sensitivity measures in an effort to retain the unique qualities of each while addressing their shortcomings, resulting in a more detailed picture of the human visual system and functioning than has yet been possible. By measuring contrast sensitivity to targets at a set of spatial frequencies spanning the human "window of visibility" and under conditions of motion representative of that encountered in everyday activities, it was hoped that a more powerful predictor of actual visual performance would be created. In addition, normative data was established for two separate age populations, in the hopes of learning more about specific changes that occur to the visual system during the aging process. Indeed, several effects and interactions among the three main variables (spatial frequency, velocity, age) were uncovered, which appears to indicate that the new test may provide more information about the visual system than DVA or contrast sensitivity by themselves. The ramifications of this effort to human factors and visual performance research are discussed along with recommendations for the continuation and application of this line of research.
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Date Issued
2004
Identifier
CFE0000293, ucf:46210
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000293
Measuring Trust in Virtual Worlds: Avatar-Mediated Self-Disclosure
Title
Measuring Trust in Virtual Worlds: Avatar-Mediated Self-Disclosure.
Creator
Surprenant, Amanda, Sims, Valerie, Chin, Matthew, Rinalducci, Edward, Singer, Michael, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study investigated the development of trust between strangers interacting via avatars in virtual worlds. The first part of the study analyzed perceived trustworthiness based on the visual appearance of avatars; the second part makes observations of two strangers self-disclosing information via avatars in a virtual world; the third part analyzed an experimental situation of two individuals interacting via avatars, where avatar appearance was changed and participants were recruited based...
Show moreThis study investigated the development of trust between strangers interacting via avatars in virtual worlds. The first part of the study analyzed perceived trustworthiness based on the visual appearance of avatars; the second part makes observations of two strangers self-disclosing information via avatars in a virtual world; the third part analyzed an experimental situation of two individuals interacting via avatars, where avatar appearance was changed and participants were recruited based on their experience with interacting with others via avatars. Findings showed that perceived trustworthiness does vary based on the visual appearance of the avatar. A positive relationship was found for self-disclosure and experience, in that those who have previously chosen to participate in a virtual world were more likely to share more detailed information about themselves. Non-significant differences in self-disclosure were found for avatar appearance; however, experience in using virtual worlds was significantly different for the willingness to share information before engaging in a task: experienced participants shared more information than inexperienced participants. This suggests that self-disclosure might be influenced by appearance at the point of formation in that the experienced are willing to overlook the avatar, and less so when there are other sources of information to base trust-behavior on (Altman (&) Taylor, 1973; Nowak (&) Rauh, 2006).Recommendations were made for modifications for similar experiments trying to validate an objective measure of trust, and for continued research in the development of trust between strangers interacting via avatars
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004291, ucf:49496
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004291
Driving performance adaptation through practice with and without distracters in a simulated environment
Title
Driving performance adaptation through practice with and without distracters in a simulated environment.
Creator
Gentzler, Marc, Smither, Janan, Neider, Mark, Rinalducci, Edward, Mcconnell, Daniel, Ray, Roger, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
A preponderance of research points to the detrimental effects of distraction on driving performance. An interesting question is whether practice can improve distracted driving. The results from the few longitudinal simulator-based research studies conducted on driving distraction have been inconclusive. This may be because practice effects could be confounded with participants adapting to driving in the simulator. Therefore, participants in the current studies were trained until performance...
Show moreA preponderance of research points to the detrimental effects of distraction on driving performance. An interesting question is whether practice can improve distracted driving. The results from the few longitudinal simulator-based research studies conducted on driving distraction have been inconclusive. This may be because practice effects could be confounded with participants adapting to driving in the simulator. Therefore, participants in the current studies were trained until performance reached a steady state prior to introducing the distracters.In this dissertation, two single-subject design studies were used to investigate the effects of training on distracted driving. The first study included two participants who experienced several different types of distracters. In the second study distracters were introduced before and after the training phase. The two distracters selected for Study 2 included conversing on a handheld phone and texting on a touchscreen phone continuously while driving in a city scenario. Previous research has not compared texting to phone, has had relatively littleexamination of texting and driving alone, and has primarily focused on hands-free phones and on highway settings. Participants drove on a city route which they had previously memorized to add realism to the driving task. Measures collected included speed maintenance, lane deviations/position errors, stop errors, and turn errors in both studies. In Study 2, subjective workload and reaction time were also collected.Findings indicated that training improved performance substantially for all participants in both studies compared to the initial baseline. Participants who experienced six and even nine sessions of the initial baseline did not necessarily improve more than those who only had three sessions. Performance for some participants did not improve in the initial baseline. The lower error levels in training remained fairly stable in subsequent baselines showing that actual learning did occur. Texting had higher error levels than phone both pre and post-training. There were no practice effects noticed for the distracters post-training for any of the participants, and in fact errors increased across sessions for phone and especially texting in Study 2. Training helped improve performance during the phone distraction more so than texting overall, although this varied for different dependent measures. Although errors were reduced after training in the distracter phases, the data actually showed that the performance difference between the baselines and the distracters pre-training was smaller than the differences post-training. Based on these findings, it is recommended that researchers conducting driving simulation research systematically train their participants on driving the simulator before they begin data collection.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFE0005169, ucf:50658
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005169
Mitigation of Motion Sickness Symptoms in 360(&)deg; Indirect Vision Systems
Title
Mitigation of Motion Sickness Symptoms in 360(&)deg; Indirect Vision Systems.
Creator
Quinn, Stephanie, Rinalducci, Edward, Hancock, Peter, Mouloua, Mustapha, French, Jonathan, Chen, Jessie, Kennedy, Robert, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The present research attempted to use display design as a means to mitigate the occurrence and severity of symptoms of motion sickness and increase performance due to reduced (")general effects(") in an uncoupled motion environment. Specifically, several visual display manipulations of a 360(&)deg; indirect vision system were implemented during a target detection task while participants were concurrently immersed in a motion simulator that mimicked off-road terrain which was completely...
Show moreThe present research attempted to use display design as a means to mitigate the occurrence and severity of symptoms of motion sickness and increase performance due to reduced (")general effects(") in an uncoupled motion environment. Specifically, several visual display manipulations of a 360(&)deg; indirect vision system were implemented during a target detection task while participants were concurrently immersed in a motion simulator that mimicked off-road terrain which was completely separate from the target detection route. Results of a multiple regression analysis determined that the Dual Banners display incorporating an artificial horizon (i.e., AH Dual Banners) and perceived attentional control significantly contributed to the outcome of total severity of motion sickness, as measured by the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Altogether, 33.6% (adjusted) of the variability in Total Severity was predicted by the variables used in the model. Objective measures were assessed prior to, during and after uncoupled motion. These tests involved performance while immersed in the environment (i.e., target detection and situation awareness), as well as postural stability and cognitive and visual assessment tests (i.e., Grammatical Reasoning and Manikin) both before and after immersion. Response time to Grammatical Reasoning actually decreased after uncoupled motion. However, this was the only significant difference of all the performance measures. Assessment of subjective workload (as measured by NASA-TLX) determined that participants in Dual Banners display conditions had a significantly lower level of perceived physical demand than those with Completely Separated display designs. Further, perceived temporal demand was lower for participants exposed to conditions incorporating an artificial horizon. Subjective sickness (SSQ Total Severity, Nausea, Oculomotor and Disorientation) was evaluated using non-parametric tests and confirmed that the AH Dual Banners display had significantly lower Total Severity scores than the Completely Separated display with no artificial horizon (i.e., NoAH Completely Separated). Oculomotor scores were also significantly different for these two conditions, with lower scores associated with AH Dual Banners. The NoAH Completely Separated condition also had marginally higher oculomotor scores when compared to the Completely Separated display incorporating the artificial horizon (AH Completely Separated). There were no significant differences of sickness symptoms or severity (measured by self-assessment, postural stability, and cognitive and visual tests) between display designs 30- and 60-minutes post-exposure. Further, 30- and 60- minute post measures were not significantly different from baseline scores, suggesting that aftereffects were not present up to 60 minutes post-exposure. It was concluded that incorporating an artificial horizon onto the Dual Banners display will be beneficial in mitigating symptoms of motion sickness in manned ground vehicles using 360(&)deg; indirect vision systems. Screening for perceived attentional control will also be advantageous in situations where selection is possible. However, caution must be made in generalizing these results to missions under terrain or vehicle speed different than what is used for this study, as well as those that include a longer immersion time.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0005047, ucf:49972
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005047
Personality Factors, Age, and Aggressive Driving: A Validation Using a Driving Simulator
Title
Personality Factors, Age, and Aggressive Driving: A Validation Using a Driving Simulator.
Creator
Vazquez Perez, Jose, Smither, Janan, Rinalducci, Edward, Sims, Valerie, Harris, Paul, Houston, John, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between age, personality factors and aggressive driving behavior. In Study 1, 1122 volunteers completed an online survey that included questionnaires on demographic data, personality factors, and driving behavior. Personality factors were measured using the Revised Competitiveness Index, the Sensation Seeking Scale, the Big Five Inventory, and the Cook Medley Hostility Scale, whereas aggressive driving behavior was measured using the...
Show moreTwo studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between age, personality factors and aggressive driving behavior. In Study 1, 1122 volunteers completed an online survey that included questionnaires on demographic data, personality factors, and driving behavior. Personality factors were measured using the Revised Competitiveness Index, the Sensation Seeking Scale, the Big Five Inventory, and the Cook Medley Hostility Scale, whereas aggressive driving behavior was measured using the Aggressive Driving Behavior Scale (ADBS). The majority of the volunteers were female (786 versus 336), while ages ranged from 18 to 87. In Study 2, 98 volunteers from Study 1 were recruited to perform driving simulations on two scenarios. These volunteers consisted of 52 females and 46 males, with ages ranging from 18 to 83. Results from both studies produced positive correlations between aggressive driving behavior and competitiveness, sensation seeking, hostility, extraversion, and neuroticism, while negative correlations were obtained between aggressive driving behavior and age, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness. No significant correlation was obtained between gender and aggressive driving behavior. Most importantly, scores in the ADBS were positively correlated to a composite of scores measuring aggressive driving behavior in the simulator. This pattern of results not only validates the ADBS, but it also provides another mechanism to study aggressive driving behavior.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0005067, ucf:49974
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005067