Dissertations / Theses: 'Blind individuals'

1

Hupp, Gregory S. "Cognitive Differences Between Congenitally and Adventitiously Blind Individuals." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2003. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4318/.

Full text

Abstract:

It is apparent from the historical perspective regarding the theories of cognitive development and the cognitive functioning of individuals with visual impairments, that sight plays a major role in the development of certain cognitive processes. However, the affects of visual impairment on cognitive development remain to be at issue. Since sight seems to be highly integral in cognitive development beginning in the early stages of physical development, about the sixth month of life, and then begins to diminish in importance as verbal communication develops around eighteen months, then it should stand to reason that significant visual impairment or blindness occurring prior to this time would adversely impact an individual's cognitive development. Conversely, the occurrence of visual impairment or blindness after this critical period of development would have less of an impact. Cognitive theorists have proposed that visually impaired or blind persons may have developed different cognitive pathways to acquire, process, and accommodate sensory information. As a result, visually impaired or blind (VI/B) persons may "think differently" than sighted individuals. The present study was designed to address these issues as they relate to cognitive and neuropsychological development at various stages of growth and to examine possible differences in neuropsychological functioning dependent on the level of visual functioning a person retains; e.g. both the issues of age at onset and degree of impairment. It was also designed to study the possible interaction effects of degree of impairment with the age of onset. Findings indicated that the only differences in cognitive functioning appear to be related to age of onset and not the level of visual impairment. The findings further suggested that congenitally blind individuals have indeed developed alternate methods of cognitively processing nonverbal, abstract, or complex information, especially information involving a high degree of spatial orientation. Implications of this study may influence the educational methods used to teach congenitally blind individuals in order to reinforce these alternate pathways and facilitate more effective means of negotiating in a sighted environment.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

2

Penn, Paul Robert. "Haptic perception in virtual reality in sighted and blind individuals." Thesis, University of Hertfordshire, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2299/14070.

Full text

Abstract:

The incorporation of the sense of touch into virtual reality is an exciting development. However, research into this topic is in its infancy. This experimental programme investigated both the perception of virtual object attributes by touch and the parameters that influence touch perception in virtual reality with a force feedback device called the PHANTOM (TM) (www.sensable.com). The thesis had three main foci. Firstly, it aimed to provide an experimental account of the perception of the attributes of roughness, size and angular extent by touch via the PHANTOM (TM) device. Secondly, it aimed to contribute to the resolution of a number of other issues important in developing an understanding of the parameters that exert an influence on touch in virtual reality. Finally, it aimed to compare touch in virtual reality between sighted and blind individuals. This thesis comprises six experiments. Experiment one examined the perception of the roughness of virtual textures with the PHANTOM (TM) device. The effect of the following factors was addressed: the groove width of the textured stimuli; the endpoint used (stylus or thimble) with the PHANTOM (TM); the specific device used (PHANTOM (TM) vs. IE3000) and the visual status (sighted or blind) of the participants. Experiment two extended the findings of experiment one by addressing the impact of an exploration related factor on perceived roughness, that of the contact force an individual applies to a virtual texture. The interaction between this variable and the factors of groove width, endpoint, and visual status was also addressed. Experiment three examined the perception of the size and angular extent of virtual 3-D objects via the PHANTOM (TM). With respect to the perception of virtual object size, the effect of the following factors was addressed: the size of the object (2.7,3.6,4.5 cm); the type of virtual object (cube vs. sphere); the mode in which the virtual objects were presented; the endpoint used with the PHANTOM (TM) and the visual status of the participants. With respect to the perception of virtual object angular extent, the effect of the following factors was addressed: the angular extent of the object (18,41 and 64°); the endpoint used with the PHANTOM (TM) and the visual status of the participants. Experiment four examined the perception of the size and angular extent of real counterparts to the virtual 3-D objects used in experiment three. Experiment four manipulated the conditions under which participants examined the real objects. Participants were asked to give judgements of object size and angular extent via the deactivated PHANTOM (TM), a stylus probe, a bare index finger and without any constraints on their exploration. In addition to the above exploration type factor, experiment four examined the impact of the same factors on perceived size and angular extent in the real world as had been examined in virtual reality. Experiments five and six examined the consistency of the perception of linear extent across the 3-D axes in virtual space. Both experiments manipulated the following factors: Line extent (2.7,3.6 and 4.5cm); line dimension (x, y and z axis); movement type (active vs. passive movement) and visual status. Experiment six additionally manipulated the direction of movement within the 3-D axes. Perceived roughness was assessed by the method of magnitude estimation. The perceived size and angular extent of the various virtual stimuli and their real counterparts was assessed by the method of magnitude reproduction. This technique was also used to assess perceived extent across the 3-D axes. Touch perception via the PHANTOM (TM) was found to be broadly similar for sighted and blind participants. Touch perception in virtual reality was also found to be broadly similar between two different 3-D force feedback devices (the PHANTOM (TM) and the IE3000). However, the endpoint used with the PHANTOM (TM) device was found to exert significant, but inconsistent effects on the perception of virtual object attributes. Touch perception with the PHANTOM (TM) across the 3-D axes was found to be anisotropic in a similar way to the real world, with the illusion that radial extents were perceived as longer than equivalent tangential extents. The perception of 3-D object size and angular extent was found to be comparable between virtual reality and the real world, particularly under conditions where the participants' exploration of the real objects was constrained to a single point of contact. An intriguing touch illusion, whereby virtual objects explored from the inside were perceived to be larger than the same objects perceived from the outside was found to occur widely in virtual reality, in addition to the real world. This thesis contributes to knowledge of touch perception in virtual reality. The findings have interesting implications for theories of touch perception, both virtual and real.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

3

Sahlman, James M. "A comparative analysis of deception detection between blind and sighted individuals." Scholarly Commons, 1991. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2216.

Full text

Abstract:

This study hypothesizes a greater ability by blind subjects in detecting deceptive communication from an audio channel only. Accuracy and confidence levels for the blind were compared with normally sighted undergraduate students' results. All subjects were requested to indicate their perception on several audible cues, including: speech errors, pauses, vocal segregates, response duration, vocal certainty, vocal tension, vocal pleasantness, speaking volume and rate. Subjects also indicated whether they thought the messages on the stimulus tapes were deceptive or truthful. Stimulus tapes containing deceptive statements were created by inducing a cheating incident. Undergraduate students in a lower-level communication course participated in a dot estimation task where they either performed on their own abilities or cheated with a confederate. Interviews immediately following the procedure resulted in deceptive responses from all subjects induced into cheating. A discussion of cheating as a methodology is presented in the final chapter. Results from this study indicate that blind participants tended to be more accurate at detecting deceptive communication than sighted subjects. Although vocal cues were rated similarly by both groups, the greater detection accuracy by the blind suggests sensory compensation may occur as a result of blindness. The final chapter suggests that with better measurement of audible cues used by the blind, future research may discover much about the importance of these deceptive cues.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

4

Svendsen, Kathryn Jane. "Use of the light rail or light rapid transit systems by individuals with severe visual impairments." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29720.

Full text

Abstract:

This study investigated the relationship between use of Light Rapid or Light Rail (LRT) by persons with severe visual impairments and independence in orientation and mobility. Use of the LRT poses special problems to blind users and requires skill in mobility. The premise of the study was that blind persons who felt confident in travelling independently were more likely to use the LRT than those who do not. The study also examined the difficulties blind persons experienced in LRT use. The subjects were 63 persons between the ages of 19 and 65 who responded to a survey questionnaire. Thirty five of these individuals were male and 25 were female. All the subjects were registered as legally blind with the C.N.I.B. The range of visual loss included total blindness, light perception, tunnel vision, central vision loss and low vision. The results indicated that orientation and mobility training on the LRT system would resolve many of the difficulties that users of the systems encountered. Modification of the systems by transit companies to make the systems more easily accessible to visually impaired travellers are suggested.
Education, Faculty of
Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of
Graduate

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

5

Watters-Miles, Constance. "Factors Associated with the Successful Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals with Usher Syndrome: A Qualitative Study." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/338960.

Full text

Abstract:

This qualitative study investigated the remembered lived experiences of six individuals who were diagnosed with Usher syndrome, the effect that the progressive condition had upon their lives, and their experiences with vocational rehabilitation. Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition that presents as deafness or hearing loss with comorbid retinitis pigmentosa sometimes with vestibular areflexia. The participants recalled details of their own reaction to the diagnoses as well as the reactions of their parents. Themes were identified in their responses that included independent dependence, Usher support, parental reaction, lowered expectations, hope, and ongoing change. The participants, three men and three women, reported periods of adjustment and sadness as well as hopes for their future, career accomplishments, and social interactions.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

6

Valderrama, Sepulveda Laura Paola. "THE EFFECTS OF INPUT MODALITY ON L2 WORD RECALL BY BLIND AND SIGHTED INDIVIDUALS." OpenSIUC, 2015. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1767.

Full text

Abstract:

Vocabulary acquisition plays an important role in second language students’ performance. In the process of learning vocabulary, students are exposed to different sorts of input that might affect the way their working memory processes, retains, and recalls the new information they are exposed to, which can be visual, auditory, haptic, or multimodal (Paivio, 1991). Research has been extensively done on the effects of input modality on working memory in L1 word recall tasks in individuals with normal development and also in individuals with visual disabilities; however, no attention has been given to the effects of input modality on working memory in word recall tasks in blind individuals in the realm of second language learning. The current research sought to investigate the effects of input modality on working memory in L2 word recall tasks with the goal of determining if the lack of access to visual stimuli would have any substantial effects on L2 word retention and recall. It was predicted that participants would do better on those word recall tasks that involved the use of more than one modality simultaneously and that lack of access to visual stimuli would not negatively affect L2 word recall. To address these issues, we devised two word recall experiments: experiment 1 for the blind participant of the study (a 24 year old female graduate student who is an English native speaker), and experiment 2 for the sighted participants. Both experiments comprised a Digit Span Test, 4 word recall tasks in which participants were exposed to four different lists of high frequency Spanish words and their English translations in different modalities (Oral, Written (Braille), Oral+Written (Braille), Haptic/visual+Oral), and an interview. Thirty (16 females, 14 males) American English Native speakers who were sighted with ages ranging from 19 to 37 participated in this study; half of them were blindfolded for the last word recall task (Haptic+Oral). The results for both experiments showed that contrary to our predictions and to what dual coding theories claim, our participants were able to recall more words in those tasks that involved the use of only one modality. In part this may be attributed to 1) the fact that it was the first time these participants were exposed to Spanish vocabulary and so it made it more difficult for their working memories to integrate modalities and 2) an information overload since the stimulus words were presented with their translation. Moreover, the lack of access to visual stimuli did not have a strong effect in those participants who were blindfolded, which may be explained by the fact that the oral and haptic input triggered the use of mental imagery when retaining and recalling the words. Finally, the practical and pedagogical implications of the findings of the present study, as well as recommendations for the future research are discussed.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

7

Parker, David. "Assessment of Access Methods for Mobile Maps for Individuals Who are Blind or Visually Impaired." VCU Scholars Compass, 2019. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/6097.

Full text

Abstract:

When people go to a mall, museums, or other such locations they tend to rely on maps to find their way around. However, for people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) maps are not easily accessible and they depend on other means, such as a guide, to get around. Research has only just begun to investigate providing maps for people who are BVI on touch screen devices. Many different types of feedback have been used: audio (sound), tactile (touch), audio-tactile, and multitouch. Some research has been conducted on the benefit of using multiple fingers (multitouch) and has found conflicting results. Yet, no known research has been conducted on the comparison of using audio feedback to that of tactile feedback. In this study, we look to try and answer two questions. 1.) Is audio equal to or better than tactile? As well as: 2.) Does multiple fingers help? Participants were asked to use seven different methods (4 audio, 3 tactile) to explore an overview map and an individual map and answer questions about them. Results showed that overall, audio cues are similar or better than tactile cues which is beneficial since it requires less battery to generate audio cues than tactile cues. It was also shown that the use of multiple fingers was more beneficial in tasks that are spatially demanding. While those who have tactile experience benefited when using two fingers with each finger represented by a different instrument played to separated ears.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

8

Kent, Lynn Andrea. "A vision of whales : creating a whale research program for individuals who are blind or visually impaired." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/36912.

Full text

Abstract:

The purpose of this research project was to explore how field experience can be used to increase understanding and researcher behaviours in young adults who are blind or visually impaired. This study probed effective teaching methods and solutions to accessibility issues through high-level participation in a field ecology research setting involving marine mammals. The weeklong program was executed in a pre-existing long-term gray whale ecology research site in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. Four research questions guided the overall planning of the program. The concentration of effort was applied to adapting the field site and equipment in order for students to use and access the resources during planned multisensory activities. Three post-secondary students spent a week in the field becoming active marine mammal researchers. Data for this study were gathered through a variety of qualitative methods including vocabulary checklists, journal writing, a group case study and questionnaires. The results of this program have implications for educational opportunities by highlighting how addressing and offering learning tools that appeal to a variety of learners can create new and vital opportunities for students who are visually impaired.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

9

Bozeman, John Kenneth. "An audiometric test for object perception abilities for use with individuals who are blind and hearing impaired /." Digital version accessible at:, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/main.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

10

Battal, Ceren. "Decoding Auditory Motion Direction And Location In hMT+/V5 And Planum Temporale Of Sighted And Blind Individuals." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Trento, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/11572/368195.

Full text

Abstract:

The research presented in this thesis addresses the neural mechanisms of auditory motion processing and the impact of early visual deprivation on motion-responsive brain regions, by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Visual motion, and in particular direction selectivity, is one of the most investigated aspects of mammalian brain function. In comparison, little is known about how the brain processes moving sounds. More precisely, we have a poor understanding of how the human brain codes for the direction of auditory motion and how this process differs from auditory sound-source localization. In the first study, we characterized the neural representations of auditory motion within the Planum Temporale (PT), and how motion direction and sound source location are represented within this auditory motion responsive region. We further explore if the distribution of orientation responsive neurons (topographic representations) within the PT shares similar organizational features to what is observed within the visual motion area MT/V5. The spatial representations would, therefore, be more systematic for axis of motion/space, rather than for within-axis direction/location. Despite the shared representations between auditory spatial conditions, we show that motion directions and sound source locations generate highly distinct patterns of activity. The second study focused on the impact of early visual deprivation on auditory motion processing. Studying visual deprivation-induced plasticity sheds light on how sensory experience alters the functional organization of motion processing areas, and exploits intrinsic computational bias implemented in cortical regions. In addition to enhanced auditory motion responses within the hMT+/V5, we demonstrate that this region maintains direction selectivity tuning, but enhances its modality preference to auditory input in case of early blindness. Crucially, the enhanced computational role of hMT+/V5 is followed by a reduced role of PT for processing both motion direction and sound source location. These results suggest that early blindness triggers interplay between visual and auditory motion areas, and their computational roles could be re-distributed for effective processing of auditory spatial tasks. Overall, our findings suggest (1) auditory motion-specific processing in the typically developed auditory cortex, and (2) interplay between cross- and intra-modal plasticity to compute auditory motion and space in early blind individuals.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

11

Battal, Ceren. "Decoding Auditory Motion Direction And Location In hMT+/V5 And Planum Temporale Of Sighted And Blind Individuals." Doctoral thesis, University of Trento, 2018. http://eprints-phd.biblio.unitn.it/3003/1/Thesis_CerenBattal.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

The research presented in this thesis addresses the neural mechanisms of auditory motion processing and the impact of early visual deprivation on motion-responsive brain regions, by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Visual motion, and in particular direction selectivity, is one of the most investigated aspects of mammalian brain function. In comparison, little is known about how the brain processes moving sounds. More precisely, we have a poor understanding of how the human brain codes for the direction of auditory motion and how this process differs from auditory sound-source localization. In the first study, we characterized the neural representations of auditory motion within the Planum Temporale (PT), and how motion direction and sound source location are represented within this auditory motion responsive region. We further explore if the distribution of orientation responsive neurons (topographic representations) within the PT shares similar organizational features to what is observed within the visual motion area MT/V5. The spatial representations would, therefore, be more systematic for axis of motion/space, rather than for within-axis direction/location. Despite the shared representations between auditory spatial conditions, we show that motion directions and sound source locations generate highly distinct patterns of activity. The second study focused on the impact of early visual deprivation on auditory motion processing. Studying visual deprivation-induced plasticity sheds light on how sensory experience alters the functional organization of motion processing areas, and exploits intrinsic computational bias implemented in cortical regions. In addition to enhanced auditory motion responses within the hMT+/V5, we demonstrate that this region maintains direction selectivity tuning, but enhances its modality preference to auditory input in case of early blindness. Crucially, the enhanced computational role of hMT+/V5 is followed by a reduced role of PT for processing both motion direction and sound source location. These results suggest that early blindness triggers interplay between visual and auditory motion areas, and their computational roles could be re-distributed for effective processing of auditory spatial tasks. Overall, our findings suggest (1) auditory motion-specific processing in the typically developed auditory cortex, and (2) interplay between cross- and intra-modal plasticity to compute auditory motion and space in early blind individuals.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

12

Rastogi, Ravi. "A STUDY TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED HAPTIC USER INTERFACE (AHUI) FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED." VCU Scholars Compass, 2012. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2859.

Full text

Abstract:

An increasing amount of information content used in schools, work and everyday living is being presented in graphical form, creating accessibility challenges for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, especially in dynamic environments, such as over the internet. Refreshable haptic displays that can interact with computers can be used to access such information tactually. Main focus of this study was the development of specialized computer applications allowing users to actively compensate for the inherent issues of haptics when exploring visual diagrams as compared to vision, which we hypothesized, would improve the usability of such devices. An intuitive zooming algorithm capable of automatically detecting significant different zoom levels, providing auditory feedback, preventing cropping of information and preventing zooming in on areas where no features were present was developed to compensate for the lower spatial resolution of haptics and was found to significantly improve the performance of the participants. Another application allowing the users to perform dynamic simplifications on the diagram to compensate for the serial based nature of processing 2D geometric information was tested and found to significantly improve the performance of the participants. For both applications participants liked the user interface and found it more usable, as expected. In addition, in this study we investigated methods that can be used to effectively present different visual features as well as overlaying features present in the visual diagrams. Three methods using several combinations of tactile and auditory modalities were tested. We found that the performance significantly improves when using the overlapping method using different modalities. For tactile only methods developed for deaf blind individuals, the toggle method was surprisingly preferred as compared to the overlapping method.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

13

Hafizi, Kaamel. "The effect of Methylphenidate on Energy Expenditure in Individuals with Obesity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Pilot Trial." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/39265.

Full text

Abstract:

Objectives: Most weight loss medications target reductions in energy intake while neglecting energy expenditure, a critical predictor of weight loss/regain. This pilot study examined the effect of short-acting methylphenidate (MPH) on resting energy expenditure (REE), thermic effect of food (TEF), physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), and how changes in energy expenditure relate to changes in body composition in youth and adults living with obesity. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled two-parallel arm study. In total, 19 participants were screened, of which 14 participants were randomized into the study, but complete data was only collected for 12, and only analyzed for 10 participants. Those 10 participants aged 28.8 ± 6.9 yrs. (5 Male, 5 Female) were randomized to receive either MPH (0.5 mg/kg) (n = 5) or placebo (n =5) twice daily for 60 days. Participants’ REE and TEF (indirect calorimetry), were measured at baseline (no drug/placebo), and day 60 post-treatment (drug/placebo). Participants’ PAEE (Actical) was measured between screening and baseline for a 1-week period (no drug/placebo), and on day 53 for a 1-week period (drug/placebo). Participants’ anthropometrics were measured using DEXA at baseline, and day 60 post-treatment. Results: From baseline to day 60, MPH showed a relative difference to placebo in relative REE (Relative REE: F(1, 8) = 4.235, p = 0.074, d = 0.83, 2 = 0.346) of 10%, evidenced by a 6% increase in relative REE kcal/kg (18.53 ± 1.97 Kcal/day/kg at baseline, 19.71 ± 2.52 Kcal/day/kg at final) for the MPH group, and a 4% decrease (19.08 2.36 Kcal/day/kg at baseline, 18.26 ± 2.04 Kcal/day/kg at final) in placebo, translating to moderate-effect size (Cohen’s d=0.63) favouring MPH. From baseline to day 60, there were no significant differences between groups on changes in TEF (TEF AUC: F(1, 8) = 0.079, p = 0.785, d = 0.15, 2 = 0.010) or any PAEE variables such as sedentary behavior (SB: F (1, 8) = 0.455, p = 0.52, d = 0.02, 2 = 0.054), light physical activity (LPA: F (1, 8) = 0.504, p = 0.50, d = 0.16, 2 = 0.059), moderate physical activity (MPA: F (1, 8) = 0.281, p = 0.61, d = 0.19, 2 = 0.034), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA: F (1, 8) = 0.120, p = 0.74, d = 0.15, 2 = 0.015), or vigorous physical activity (VPA: F (1, 8) = 3.495, p = 0.098, d = 0.91, 2 = 0.304) . Mean change in body weight (kg) resulted in a weight loss of roughly -2.66 ± 2.00 kg in the MPH group and -1.64 ± 1.41 kg in the placebo group, differences that were not statistically significant. Mean change in both groups for body fat% of -0.33 ± 2.08 %, mean change in fat mass of -1.05 ± 2.59 kg, and finally a mean change in fat-free mass of -0.06 ± 1.19 kg was reported. Changes in relative REE were inversely correlated with changes in body weight (r = -0.599, p = 0.067), body fat (r = -0.524, p = 0.12) and fat mass (r = -0.599, p = 0.096). These associations were stronger in the MPH group. Conclusions: Our data suggests that MPH administration may lead to a meaningful increase in relative REE, and these suggested changes were associated with reductions in adiposity among individuals with obesity. These preliminary findings suggest that MPH should be further examined using a larger sample size and study duration to determine its effectiveness in promoting weight loss and maintenance of weight loss in individuals with obesity, a population at high risk of morbidity and premature mortality.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

14

Ali, Mohammed Irshad. "A job search skills curriculum for individuals with visual disabilities in Fiji." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1993. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/796.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

15

Sabo, Carl William. "The impact of state-federal agency structure on service delivery and outcomes for individuals with visual impairments." Connect to resource, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1126741654.

Full text

Abstract:

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005.
Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 178 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-169). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

16

Hull, Joseph T. "Photic and nonphotic effects on the human circadian pacemaker : field and laboratory assessments in NLP blind individuals with and without circadian photoreception." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2009. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/842964/.

Full text

Abstract:

Light-dark cycles are considered the most important synchroniser of the human circadian pacemaker. To better understand the effect of light input and the lack thereof on the circadian timing system, 12 healthy blind subjects with no light perception (NLP) were studied for ~4 months during field and laboratory conditions. In three NLP subjects who all had at least one eye, light exposure induced melatonin suppression [NLP(+); E-POS group]. In seven NLP subjects, melatonin suppression did not occur [NLP(-)]; four of them had at least one eye (E-NEG group) and three were bilaterally enucleated (BE group). In two NLP subjects melatonin suppression was not assessed [NLP(< >)]. The findings reported in this thesis show that: (1) The observed period of the melatonin rhythm measured under field conditions was not significantly longer than the observed period measured under the forced desynchrony condition in the non-entrained totally blind subjects. This shows that, contrary to previous suggestions, that average period measured in NLP blind subjects during field studies is an accurate reflection of the endogenous period. (2) The phase and amplitude of the plasma melatonin rhythm exhibited a significantly greater modulation by the sleep-wake cycle and associated stimuli in the BE group compared to that observed in the E-POS and E-NEG NLP blind groups and sighted subjects studied under the same FD conditions. This indicates that the eyes may play an additional role in the human circadian system independent of its role as a light transducer. (3) Homeostatic and circadian processes are intact and regulate sleep and waking performance in NLP blind subjects, like that observed in sighted subjects. This demonstrates that these processes function independent of conscious image-forming and non-image-forming (circadian) photoreception.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

17

Koba, Cemal. "A multi-site image-based data sharing initiative to assess structural brain changes in large cohorts of early and late blind individuals." Thesis, IMT Alti Studi Lucca, 2022. http://e-theses.imtlucca.it/366/1/Koba_phdthesis.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Blindness is a widely studied phenomena in order to under- stand the neuroplasticity in case of sensory deprivation. Number of studies focusing on the structural plasticity during visual deprivation is fewer compared to the functional plasticity. In addition, samples and the results of those studies are heterogeneous. This dissertation utilized the largest dataset of MRI of blind subjects, that is gathered by the efforts of 10 different research labs. The aim was to overcome the previous challenges, and identify pre- and post-natal factors that are confounding the results. In the first chapter, an extensive literature review revealing the current status of the field and identifying the problems is presented. The review is completed with a systematic meta-analysis. Structural plasticity in case of congenital blindness was examined in chapter 3. This chapter focused on between (congenital blind participants versus sighted controls) and within group (effect of the causes of blindness, residual light perception, Braille literacy) differences via utilizing voxel- and surface-based morphometry. In chapter 4, participants with late blindness was examined. In addition to the analyses conducted on the congenital blind subjects, effect of time spent as blind and blindness on-set on neuroplasticity was examined. The results indicate a consistent atrophy on the visual pathway, and a critical pe- riod for vulnerability. In addition, the effect of premature birth, residual light perception, Braille literacy on the structural plasticity and limited sample sizes on the results were revealed.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

18

Boumenir, Yasmine. "Spatial navigation in real and virtual urban environments: performance and multisensory processing of spatial information in sighted, visually impaired, late and congenitally blind individuals." Phd thesis, Université Montpellier II - Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, 2011. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00632703.

Full text

Abstract:

Previous studies investigating how humans build reliable spatial knowledge representations allowing them to find their way from one point to another in complex environments have been focused on comparing the relative importance of the two-dimensional visual geometry of routes and intersections, multi-dimensional data from direct exposure with the real world, or verbal symbols and/or instructions. This thesis sheds further light on the multi-dimensional and multi-sensorial aspects by investigating how the cognitive processing of spatial information derived from different sources of sensory and higher order input influences the performance of human observers who have to find their way from memory through complex and non-familiar real-world environments. Three experiments in large-scale urban environments of the real world, and in computer generated representations of these latter (Google Street View), were run to investigate the influence of prior exposure to 2D visual or tactile maps of an itinerary, compared with a single direct experience or verbal instructions, on navigation performances in sighted and/or visually deficient individuals, and in individuals temporarily deprived of vision. Performances were analyzed in terms of time from departure to destination, number of stops, number of wrong turns, and success rates. Potential strategies employed by individuals during navigation and mental mapping abilities were screened on the basis of questionnaires and drawing tests. Subjective levels of psychological stress (experiment 2) were measured to bring to the fore possible differences between men and women in this respect. The results of these experiments show that 2D visual maps, briefly explored prior to navigation, generate better navigation performances compared with poorly scaled virtual representations of a complex real-world environment (experiment 1), the best performances being produced by a single prior exposure to the real-world itinerary. However, brief familiarization with a reliably scaled virtual representation of a non-familiar real-world environment (Google Street View) not only generates optimal navigation in computer generated testing (virtual reality), but also produces better navigation performances when tested in the real-world environment and compared with prior exposure to 2D visual maps (experiment 2). Congenitally blind observers (experiment 3) who have to find their way from memory through a complex non-familiar urban environment perform swiftly and with considerable accuracy after exposure to a 2D tactile map of their itinerary. They are also able to draw a visual image of their itinerary on the basis of the 2D tactile map exposure. Other visually deficient or sighted but blindfolded individuals seem to have greater difficulty in finding their way again than congenitally blind people, regardless of the type of prior exposure to their test itinerary. The findings of this work here are discussed in the light of current hypotheses regarding the presumed intrinsic nature of human spatial representations, replaced herein within a context of working memory models. It is suggested that multi-dimensional temporary storage systems, capable of processing a multitude of sensory input in parallel and with a much larger general capacity than previously considered in terms of working memory limits, need to be taken into account for future research.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

19

Bani, Fatemi Shakibasadat. "The Effect of Methylphenidate (MPH) on Appetite, Energy Intake, and Body Composition in Individuals Living with Obesity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/38676.

Full text

Abstract:

Objectives: This pilot study examined how Methylphenidate (MPH0.5mg/kg) affects appetite sensations, food reinforcement, energy intake (EI), macronutrient consumption, and weight-loss in youth and adults living with obesity, without ADHD. Methods: This study employed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Eleven participants aged 28±6.9 yrs. (4 M, 7 F) were randomized to receive either MPH (n=5) or placebo group (n=6) for 60 days. Participants’ appetite sensations (Visual Analogue Scale), relative-reinforcing value of food (computer task), EI and macronutrient consumption (ad libitum buffet), and anthropometric measurements (DEXA) were measured at baseline and 60 days. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed group x time interactions for appetite sensations [desire to eat (p=0.01), hunger (p=0.002), and prospective food consumption (p=0.006)]; with greater reductions in MPH group compared to placebo. For the sense of fullness, there was an interaction between group and time (p=0.01), with a greater increase for MPH compared to placebo. Body weight significantly decreased in both groups (p=0.01), with a moderate to large effect size favouring the MPH group (-2.66 kg vs. – 1.16 kg, Cohen’s d =0.76). Changes between MPH and placebo did not differ significantly on EI, macronutrient consumption, or food reinforcement. Conclusions: Our data indicate for the first time that MPH suppresses appetite in individuals with obesity resulting in a moderate–sized effect on weight loss in the short-term. These findings warrant a larger trial to more definitively examine the effect that MPH has on weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, thereby evaluating its potential as a novel pharmacological agent in the management of obesity.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

20

Cochrane, Rozelle. "Comparison of Virtual Reality Therapy and Conventional therapy on upper limb function and Ocular Tracking on individuals with Parkinson's Disease : a single Blind Randomized Control Study." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/61679.

Full text

Abstract:

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating progressive neurological disorder. The main clinical features of PD are: rigidity, bradykinesia, akinesia, and resting tremor. People living with PD often present with impaired gross- and fine upper-limb motor control and ocular tracking. The impaired motor control associated with PD results in difficulty performing basic- and instrumental activities of daily living (BADLs and IADLs). Virtual reality (VR) therapy is an emerging treatment strategy used to address movement impairment in people with neurological diseases, but has not been extensively researched in the rehabilitation of people with PD. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of VR therapy as a treatment modality for the rehabilitation of upper-limb function during BADLs and IADLs and ocular tracking for people with PD, when compared to conventional physiotherapy. Methods: A single blind randomised control trial was done. Participants were randomly allocated to either the conventional therapy (control) or VR therapy (experimental) groups using the concealed opaque envelope method. Twenty-two participants who gave informed consent were included, if they met the following criteria: Confirmed PD diagnoses; scored above 24/30 for the Mini Mental State Examination; and did not suffer from uncontrolled co-morbid diseases. The control- and experimental groups underwent twelve intervention session of 45 minutes. The control group participated in conventional physiotherapy sessions and the experimental group used the X-box Kinect© VR apparatus during treatment. Participants were assessed at baseline and post-intervention (directly following the 12 session) with the: 9 Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Test d'Evaluation des Membres Superieurs De Personnes Agees (TEMPA) and the King Devick Test. Results: The TEMPA was used to determine unilateral- and bilateral upper-limb function during IADLs and BADLs. Three of the four items of the TEMPA that assessed bilateral upper-limb function indicated statistically significant improvement when the difference between the control and experimental groups were compared post-intervention (Task1 p=0.611; Task 2 p=0.0043; Task 3 p=0.0078; Task 4 p=0.0002). Similarly, three of the four items of the TEMPA that assessed unilateral upper-limb function indicated statistically significant improvement for the experimental group, when compared to the control- group post-intervention (Task 5 p=0.0151; Task 6 p=0.4118; Task 7 p=0.0064; Task 8 p=0.0009). The 9HPT assessed in-hand manipulation and fine upper-limb function. Results from the 9HPT for the left- and right hands of both groups showed clinically significant improvements from baseline to post-intervention, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The King Devick test was used to assess ocular tracking. The comparison of change between the two groups from baseline to post-intervention on the King Devick did not indicate clinically- or statistically significant change. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings from the bilateral IADL and BADL tasks as measured with the TEMPA are similar to findings in the literature. The results show that VR therapy improve motor control of the upper-limb significantly when both hands work together and when the upper-limbs are moving unilaterally. VR therapy might be more effective than conventional physiotherapy because it allowed for repetitive practice of functional activities, which aided the development of limb control and functional muscle strength. The VR therapy also allowed task-oriented training to occur repetitively. Task-oriented training is known to aid neural plasticity and facilitate functional rehabilitation. The insignificant differences between the groups on the 9HPT is an indication that the task performed for this outcome measure is not specific enough to detect hand function and grip strength. The King Devick test did not indicate change for the control- or experimental groups, which indicates that specific ocular tracking exercises should be included in therapy to address this impairment.
Dissertation (MPhysiotherapy)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Physiotherapy
MPhysiotherapy
Unrestricted

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

21

Keryakos, Youssef. "Detection and management of stressful situations to help the blind persons in their daily lives." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 2024. http://www.theses.fr/2024UBFCD043.

Full text

Abstract:

Le stress, une expérience commune à diverses activités humaines, affecte de manière significative la vie quotidienne des individus, en particulier ceux ayant des déficiences visuelles. Défini comme un état de tension physique ou mentale, le stress provient de situations qui induisent frustration, nervosité ou colère. Le Syndrome d'Adaptation Générale (SAG) décrit la réponse du corps au stress, englobant les phases d'Alarme, de Résistance et d''Epuisement, et implique la libération d'hormones de stress comme le cortisol et l'adrénaline. Identifier et gérer le stress chez les personnes aveugles est particulièrement difficile en raison de leur dépendance aux indices sensoriels non visuels pour la navigation.Les personnes aveugles éprouvent un stress accru lors de la navigation en raison de l'incapacité à voir les obstacles et les changements dans leur environnement. Ce stress est exacerbé dans les environnements extérieurs et intérieurs inconnus ou complexes, où les aides traditionnelles à la navigation, telles que les GPS et les images satellites, sont inefficaces. Les résultats de notre travail ont établi que la présence d'obstacles et la complexité des itinéraires de navigation sont directement corrélées à des niveaux de stress accrus. Malgré le développement de divers outils d'assistance, tels que les compas en braille et les cannes blanches, ces solutions sont souvent insuffisantes pour fournir un soutien complet.En réponse à ces défis, nous proposons un nouveau système de navigation hybride conçu pour aider les personnes aveugles en intégrant la détection du stress en temps réel et une aide à l'orientation lors de la navigation. Notre système utilise une canne blanche intelligente équipée d'un réseau de capteurs biologiques pour surveiller les indicateurs physiologiques du stress, notamment la fréquence cardiaque, la conductance de la peau et l'activité musculaire. En analysant ces biosignaux, le système vise à identifier les situations induisant du stress et à recommander des itinéraires de navigation moins stressants.Le système proposé répond aux défis de la navigation en extérieur et en intérieur. Pour les environnements extérieurs, le système génère des indices de difficulté et de stress des itinéraires, permettant aux utilisateurs de choisir et de suivre le chemin le moins stressant. La détection en temps réel des obstacles est réalisée grâce à des techniques avancées de traitement d'images, et les utilisateurs reçoivent des indications vocales pour naviguer efficacement. Pour les environnements intérieurs, où les données GPS et satellites sont indisponibles, le système utilise la réalité augmentée (RA) et un système de gestion de contenu (SGC) pour créer des cartes virtuelles basées sur des images de plans d'étage. Des codes QR dans l'espace intérieur permettent aux utilisateurs de charger et d'interagir avec ces cartes virtuelles via une application mobile.L'intégration de la détection du stress en temps réel et du soutien à la navigation représente un avancement significatif dans la technologie d'assistance. En réduisant le stress et en améliorant l'efficacité de la navigation, le système vise à améliorer la qualité de vie des personnes malvoyantes. Les recherches futures se concentreront sur l'évaluation des performances du système, l'analyse des retours des utilisateurs et le raffinement de la technologie pour garantir une fonctionnalité optimale et la satisfaction des utilisateurs. Cette approche améliore non seulement l'indépendance, mais fournit également une expérience de navigation plus gérable et moins stressante pour les utilisateurs aveugles
Stress is a universal human experience that has a substantial impact on people's day-to-day functioning, particularly for those who are visually impaired. Stress is characterized as a condition of tension, either bodily or mental, that results from events that cause anxiety, agitation, or frustration. The alarm, resistance, and exhaustion phases of the body's reaction to stress are outlined by the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which also includes the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Blindness makes it especially difficult to recognize and manage stress, as blind people rely on non-visual sensory signals to navigate.Being unable to notice barriers and changes in their surroundings causes blind persons to experience more stress when navigating. In unfamiliar or complicated outdoor and indoor environments, when conventional navigational aids like GPS and satellite images are useless, this stress is increased. Our research's findings have demonstrated a clear relationship between higher stress levels and the difficulty of navigation routes and the existence of barriers. Even with the invention of numerous assistive devices, such as white canes and braille compasses, these solutions frequently fail to offer complete assistance.We address these issues by putting forth a novel hybrid navigation system that combines real-time stress detection with navigation assistance to help blind people. Our method makes use of a smart white cane that is outfitted with a network of biosensors to keep an eye on physiological stress markers including heart rate, muscular activity, and skin conductance. The system's goal is to identify stressful conditions and suggest less stressful navigation routes by evaluating these biosignals.The suggested solution tackles navigational issues in both indoor and outdoor environments. The system creates stress and route difficulty indices for outdoor surroundings, enabling users to select and follow the least stressful path. Advanced image processing techniques are used to detect obstacles in real-time, and verbal commentary is provided to users to help them navigate safely. The technology uses augmented reality (AR) and a content management system (CMS) to build virtual maps based on floor plan photos for indoor environments where GPS and satellite data are not available. Thanks to a mobile application, users can load and interact with these virtual maps by scanning QR codes located within the indoor space.Real-time stress detection and navigation support are integrated into the system, which is a major leap in assistive technology. The system's goal is to make navigation more efficient and less stressful for people who are blind or visually impaired. Subsequent studies will concentrate on assessing the system's effectiveness, examining user input, and improving the technology to guarantee peak performance and user contentment. For blind individuals, this method not only increases independence but also makes navigation easier and less stressful

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

22

Boras, Antonio, and Elias Alakir. "Disclosure : Hur redovisas kundfordringar bland svenska storföretag?" Thesis, Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen Handels- och IT-högskolan, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-18119.

Full text

Abstract:

Redovisningen av kundfordringar är komplex. Posten är förhållandevis svår att värdera och en felaktig värdering kan förvränga företagets finansiella ställningar. IAS 1 p.9 har ett fåtal regler som uppfattas som vaga för redovisning av kundfordringar vilket gör att skillnaderna ökar. Framförallt öppnas det upp utrymmen för manipulation av redovisningen.Syftet med studien är att ge en bättre förståelse av hur kundfordringar redovisas och att tolka och analysera hur upplysningar av redovisningsmetoder i årsredovisningar underlättar förståelsen av innehållet i rapporteringar. För att syftet ska uppnås studerades 24 företag.Studien visade att även fast alla undersökta företag är börsnoterade (på large cap OMXS30) så råder det stora skillnader i deras disclosure av information kring tillämpande redovisningsmetoder. En del av företagen hade en detaljerad beskrivning av vald värderingsmetod medan en del andra knappt hade någon information förutom en post, kundfordringar, i balansräkningen. Analysen av redovisning i praktiken har lett till slutsatsen att reglering av redovisning av kundfordringar behöver utvidgas. Införandet av mer detaljerad reglering kan underlätta jämförbarheten i redovisningen samt ökad förståelse av redovisnings metoder, uppskattningar, och kategoriseringar av redovisningen.
Program: Civilekonomprogrammet

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

23

Uka, Arbnora, and Sir Kristina Benjamin. "Individualism Bland Kollektivism : En studie om attityd gentemot individualism bland nyanlända syrier i Sverige." Thesis, Högskolan för lärande och kommunikation, Högskolan i Jönköping, HLK, Globala studier, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-37024.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

24

Wataya, Roberto Sussumu. "Uso de realidade aumentada com o SACRA: construção e teste do Sistema de Desenvolvimento de Percepção em 3D (SDP3D) para Pessoas com Necessidades Especiais Visuais (PNEV s)." Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, 2009. https://tede2.pucsp.br/handle/handle/10146.

Full text

Abstract:

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:32:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Roberto Sussumu Wataya.pdf: 12788561 bytes, checksum: eb8f9cad18841149a8e1f1cf41d7e2fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-18
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Blind and visually impaired people are unable to see and appreciate pictorial art because of visual problems, for, as we know, visual language is still the prevailing form of communication in cultural activities. Individuals who bear Special Visual Needs (ISVN) can utilize a 3D perception development system, that allows, through an educational process, the ISVN to be prepared for a new reality, that is, to go from the 2D dimension to the 3D. Such a system would help these individuals to read the world in an imagery rich context. This study aimed at showing that systems based on Augmented Reality (AR) can facilitate ISVN`s inclusion in the world of painting. In order to accomplish this study, a Colaborative Authorship with Augmented Reality System (CAARS) was used to develop perception systems. These perception systems were utilized in 3D learning situations with 10 congenital blind adults, 4 of which are undergraduate students at UNASP/SP and 6 graduated professionals. These experiences showed that the proposed perception system offered the congenital blind individuals the possibility of learning all the techniques and concepts of 3D representation and interact with certain autonomy in the environment. The 3D perception systems developed for the congenital blind individuals enables them to have access to museums and other cultural spaces, resulting in a contribution to the social inclusion of this group
Pessoas cegas estão impossibilitadas de contemplar e apreciar a arte pictórica por problemas visuais, pois a linguagem visual ainda é a forma de comunicação predominante nas ações culturais. Os Portadores de Necessidades Especiais Visuais (PNEV s) podem utilizar um Sistema de Desenvolvimento de Percepção em 3D (SDP3D) que permita, por processo educacional educar o DV para uma nova realidade, a partir da dimensão 3D <---> 2D. Tal sistema deve ajudar a fazer a leitura do mundo em um contexto rico em representações. Este estudo, teve como objetivo mostrar que sistemas baseados em Realidade Aumentada (RA) podem facilitar a inclusão dos DV s no mundo da pintura. Para realização deste trabalho, foi utilizado o Sistema de Autoria Colaborativa com Realidade Aumentada (SACRA), para elaboração do SDP3D e suas aplicações na aprendizagem em representações 3D, e a participação de 10 cegos congênitos adultos, sendo quatro graduandos no UNASP/SP, e seis profissionais já graduados. As experiências realizadas mostraram que o SDP3D, proposto ofereceu aos cegos congênitos a possibilidade de aprender todas as técnicas e os conceitos de representação 3D, e interagir com uma certa autonomia no ambiente. Esse sistema de desenvolvimento de percepção em 3D para cegos congênitos permite o acesso a espaços museológicos e também a outros espaços culturais, resultando em uma contribuição para a inclusão social desse grupo

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

25

Larkin, Derek. "The attentional blink : individual differences for colour and presentation rate." Thesis, Staffordshire University, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.418949.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

26

Chung, Geun-Chang Kornfield Julia A. Kornfield Julia A. "Segmental dynamics of individual species in a miscible polymer blend /." Diss., Pasadena, Calif. : California Institute of Technology, 1995. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09182007-103953.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

27

Gulbinaitė, Rasa. "Dėmesio mirksėjimo efektas: individualūs skirtumai." Master's thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2014. http://vddb.library.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2009~D_20140623_200836-30961.

Full text

Abstract:

Dėmesio mirksėjimo efektas – tai plačiai žinomas reiškinys dėmesio tyrimuose. Jis atspindi dėmesingo informacijos apdorojimo ribas, kadangi greitai (10 stimulų per sekundę dažniu) toje pačioje regos lauko vietoje pateikus stimulų seką dažniausiai žmonės nepastebi ir/ arba neatsimena antrojo reikšminio stimulo. Tai įvyksta tuo atveju, kai šis pasirodo 200-500 ms intervale nuo pirmojo reikšminio stimulo pateikimo. Neseniai Martens ir kolegos (2006) nustatė, jog kai kuriems žmonėms dėmesio mirksėjimo efektas nepasireiškia, jie buvo pavadinti „nemirksinčiais“. Manoma, kad individualius skirtumus lemia nevienodai efektyvus gebėjimas iš nereikšmingos informacijos srauto išsirinkti reikšmingą. Šiame darbe siekta patikrinti, ar individuali darbinės atminties talpa, tiriamojo emocinė būsena ir tiriamojo asmenybės bruožai turi įtakos dėmesio efekto išreikštumui. Naudojant parametrizuotą dėmesio mirksėjimo efekto analizės būdą, nustatyta, kad didesnė darbinės atminties talpa sąlygoja mažesnį dėmesio mirksėjimo efektą. Šie rezultatai patvirtina nuomonę, kad dėmesio mirksėjimo efektas yra darbinės atminties talpos ribotumo pasekmė. Taip pat nustatyta, kad tiriamojo emocinio sužadinamumo būsena yra susijusi su dėmesio mirksėjimo efekto stiprumu, o asmenybės bruožai – su trukme.
The attentional blink is a well-known phenomenon in the study of attention. It reflects the impaired ability to identify the second of two targets presented in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) of events if it appears between 200 and 500 ms after the first target. Recently Martens et al. (2006) reported that about 5% of the population (referred to as “non-blinkers”) shows little or no attentional blink under conditions in which most people (“blinkers”) do show. It is proposed that aforementioned differences are determined by individual differences in efficiency of ignoring irrelevant information. Thus, the aims of this master’s thesis were to investigate the impact of working memory capacity, emotional state and personality traits on attentional blink effect. Using parameterized attentional blink analysis method, based on curve fitting, the negative correlation between the size of attentional blink and working memory capacity was revealed. These findings support the idea that individual processing limitations and working memory play a key role in attentional blink. Also it was demonstrated that emotional arousal has impact on the strength of attentional blink and personality traits have effect on the span of attentional blink.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

28

Veeramani, Viloshanakumaran. "PERCEPTIONS OF MICROAGGRESSIONS AND COLOR-BLIND RACIAL ATTITUDES: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN ASSESSING ACTION WITHIN INTERRACIAL INTERACTIONS." OpenSIUC, 2018. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/2475.

Full text

Abstract:

The current study examined the differences in perceptions of three types of microaggressions experienced by African Americans and Latino Americans. Additionally, this study addressed how the coping mechanism of confrontation may be perceived depending on the level of the microaggression. Finally, colorblind attitudes were examined as an individual difference variable in predicting responses to microaggressions. The study used a 2 (target ethnicity: African American and Latino American) x 3 (types of microaggression: microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation) between subjects design. A sample of 304 White participants was obtained via MTurk. Participants first read a vignette showing an interaction between a White supervisor and a subordinate of color (African American or Latino American). After reading the vignette, participants were asked to complete the Microaggression Perception Scale, a course of action scale to assess their perception of what the target should have done after the microaggressive incident, the Color-Blind Racial Attitude Scale (COBRA), and a demographic survey. The data were analyzed using MANOVA and regression analyses and the results indicated five major findings. First, White participants were found to be able to perceive microaggressions as having occurred as they became more blatant (from microinvalidation to microinsult to microassault). Second, there were no significant differences in their perceptions of the types of microaggression between the African American and Latino American targets. However, they perceived microinvalidation when it occurred for the White target more clearly than they did the microinvalidation for the African American target. Third, color-blind racial attitudes were related to White individuals’ perception of microinsults and microassaults, but not microinvalidation, indicating those who identified more strongly with the colorblind racial attitude were less likely to perceive the microaggression as being biased even when the microaggression was blatant. Fourth, participants also recommended that individuals of color should take more drastic action for microassault and less drastic action for microinvalidation. This suggested that the microassaults were perceived as not acceptable behavior and that these behaviors should be reported in writing to upper administration in the organization. Finally, color-blind racial attitudes moderated the relationship between the perceptions of microinvalidations and microassaults, and the course of action to deal with aggression. Implications of the study are further discussed.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

29

Magri, Giorgio 1975. "A theory of individual-level predicates based on blind mandatory implicatures : constraint promotion for optimality theory." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/55182.

Full text

Abstract:

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Linguistics and Philosophy, 2009.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [283]-293).
Part I of this dissertation proposes an implicature-based theory of individual-level predicates. The idea is that we cannot say '#John is sometimes tall' because the sentence triggers the scalar implicature that the alternative 'John is always tall' is false and this implicature mismatches with the piece of common knowledge that tallness is a permanent property. Chapter 1 presents the idea informally. This idea faces two challenges. First, this scalar implicature must be mandatory and furthermore blind to common knowledge. Second, it is not clear how this idea extends to other properties of individual-level predicates. Chapter 2 makes sense of the surprising nature of these special mismatching implicatures within the recent grammatical framework for scalar implicatures of Chierchia (2004) and Fox (2007a). Chapter 3 shows how this implicature-based account can be extended to other properties of individuallevel predicates, such as restrictions on their bare plural subjects, on German word order and extraction, and on Q-adverbs. Part H of this dissertation develops a theory of update rules for the OT on-line algorithm that perform constraint promotion too, besides demotion. Chapter 4 explains why we need constraint promotion, by arguing that demotion-only update rules are unable to model Hayes' (2004) early stage of the acquisition of phonology. Chapter 5 shows how to get constraint promotion, by means of two different techniques. One technique shares the combinatoric flavor of Tesar and Smolensky's analysis of demotion-only update rules.
(cont.) The other technique consists of adapting to OT results from the theory of on-line algorithms for linear classification. The latter technique has various consequences interesting on their own, explored in Chapter 8. Chapters 6 and 7 start the investigation of the properties of update rules that perform promotion too, concentrating on the characterization of the final vector and on the number of updates.
by Giorgio Magri.
Ph.D.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

30

Huuskonen, Maarit. "Identitet i kris : - identitet och anpassning bland invandrare i Sverige." Thesis, Karlstad University, Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-326.

Full text

Abstract:

Abstract

When immigrants move to Sweden from their native country it is not unusual that they experience some kind of identity crises. Their own experience of their cultural identity can be very problematic and they often lose a part of what they previously saw as their own identity. To handle such crises the immigrants can use different strategies. They can for example accept their disparity, deny it or emphasize it. The aim of this study is to examine how immigrants in Sweden experience that their cultural identity has changed since they moved here from a country that has a culture that is different from the Swedish culture. To reach my goal with this study I interviewed immigrants/refugees from Chile, Lebanon and Thailand. Some of the results are that my presentation of the problem and the aim with the study were not profound enough. I intended to only write about cultural identity but I came to the conclusion that individual identity and different adaptation strategies were no less important. A further conclusion is that these three ingredients are completely different things; an immigrant can have one individual identity, another cultural identity and use a strategy that does not correspond with any of these. Moreover I also found that a person’s identity does not need to change when moving from their native country to Sweden. Finally I want to stress that my study is not about making sweeping statements, it is rather exemplifying. Identity and strategies are different from one person to another.

Keywords: individual identity, cultural identity, adaptation strategies

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

31

Pettersson, Josefine, and Malin Lindebjörn. "Personlighet och arbetsengagemang som prediktorer för upplevd individuell arbetsprestation : En undersökning av individuell arbetsprestation bland yrkesutövande individer." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för psykologi (PSY), 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-101492.

Full text

Abstract:

Frågan om det finns något sätt att förutsäga hög arbetsprestation hos individer är på många sätt relevant i organisationssammanhang. Tidigare forskning har visat att personlighet och arbetsengagemang relaterar till prestation, för vad är det egentligen som bidrar till hög individuell arbetsprestation? Syftet med föreliggande studie var att med hjälp av en enkätundersökning undersöka vilken roll personlighet och arbetsengagemang spelar för individuell arbetsprestation. Studiens hypoteser handlade om vilken prediktor, arbetsengagemang eller ett specifikt personlighetsdrag som kunde förklara mest av variationen i individuell arbetsprestation. En kvantitativ studie genomfördes med hjälp av en webbaserad enkätundersökning som baserades på mätinstrument för individuell arbetsprestation (Individual Work Performance Questionnaire), arbetsengagemang (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale) samt personlighet (Mini International Personality Item Pool-6). Kriterierna för att få delta var att vara över 18 år samt besitta en arbetslivserfarenhet över 6 månader. Studiens deltagande uppgick till 162 personer (ålder: M = 35.8, SD = 14.5). Resultaten från regressionsanalysen överensstämde med studiens hypoteser där arbetsengagemang var den överlag starkaste prediktorn för att kunna förutsäga individuell arbetsprestation. Av personlighetsdragen hade conscientiousness störst samband för uppgiftsbaserad prestation samt kontextuell prestation, medan neuroticism hade störst samband för kontraproduktivt arbetsbeteende. Studiens slutsats var att det mest effektiva sättet att mäta individuell arbetsprestation på var genom mätinstrumentet Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) som mäter arbetsengagemang.
The question of whether there is a way of forecasting high individual work performance is in many ways relevant in organizational contexts. Previous research has shown that personality and work engagement relate to work performance but what part exactly is it that contributes to high individual work performance? The purpose of this paper was to conduct a survey to investigate the relevance between personality and work engagement variables and their correlation to individual work performance. The hypotheses of the study concerned which predictor, work engagement or a specific personality trait could explain most of the variation in individual work performance. A quantitative study was conducted using a web-based survey based on measuring instruments for individual work performance (Individual Work Performance Questionnaire), work engagement (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale) and personality (Mini International Personality Item Pool-6). To participate you had to be over the age of 18 and exceeded 6 months of work experience. 162 participants were involved in this study (M = 35.8, SD = 14.5). The results show that work engagement was the strongest predictor to forecast high individual work performance. In regard to task-based and contextual performance the results show a correlation with the personality trait conscientiousness, while counterproductive work behaviour had a strong correlation with neuroticism. The study shows that the most effective way to estimate individual work performance was through Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), which measures work engagement.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

32

Macri, Gabriella. "The effect of proximity to pain on protective blink reflexes in individuals with induced hyperalgesia." Thesis, Macri, Gabriella (2016) The effect of proximity to pain on protective blink reflexes in individuals with induced hyperalgesia. Honours thesis, Murdoch University, 2016. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/40613/.

Full text

Abstract:

The present study explored the notion that proximity to pain increases protective blink reflexes, and that individuals with chronic pain experience an exacerbation of this effect. Chronic pain sufferers experience a heightened sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia) and body-space perceptual disturbances. Thus, this study predicted that healthy individuals induced with similar symptoms would have stronger blink reflexes when the stimulated wrist was closer to the face. Adopting a between-subjects design, half of the participants (N = 14) received high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) to induce hyperalgesia while the other half of the participants (N = 14) did not. Firstly, participants underwent psychophysical testing on the wrists and forehead to discern baseline sensitivity to stimuli. The HFS condition then completed an electrical detection threshold test to determine the stimulus intensity of the HFS procedure. Following HFS of the wrist, psychophysical testing was repeated to discern changes in sensitivity. Lastly, all twenty-eight participants completed the blink reflex procedure, consisting of a sequence of sixty electrical stimuli applied to the head and the wrist. Independent variables included the position of the wrist (close vs. far), and the site stimulated (head alone, wrist alone, vs. head + wrist together). Dependent variables included pain and sharpness ratings of each stimulus, in addition to the magnitude of the blinks. Results revealed that blink reflexes increased when the wrist was close to the face, confirming the findings of previous literature on proximity to pain. Although the HFS group gave higher sharpness ratings for close stimuli, there was no difference between groups for pain ratings and blinks. Thus, the central premise was not substantiated. Additionally, simultaneous stimulation of the head and the wrist increased all dependent variables; however, this effect did not interact with the proximity effect. Further research should collect a larger sample for more meaningful comparisons between groups.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

33

Harper, Jane. "Improving Estimation of Resting Energy Expenditure in Seriously Injured Individuals." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1241571769.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

34

Gu, Yun. "The Impacts of Real-time Knowledge Based Personal Lighting Control on Energy Consumption, User Satisfaction and Task Performance in Offices." Research Showcase @ CMU, 2011. http://repository.cmu.edu/dissertations/54.

Full text

Abstract:

Current building design and engineering practices emphasizing on energy conservation can be improved further by developing methods focusing on building occupants’ needs and interests in conservation. Specifically, the resulting energy effective building performance improvements cannot reach the desired goals, if the resulting indoor environmental conditions do not meet thermal, visual and air quality needs of the occupants. To meet both energy conservation and human performance requirements simultaneously requires to give the occupants information regarding indoor environmental qualities and energy implications of possible individual decisions. This requires that building control components and systems must enable occupants to understand how the building operates and how their own actions meet both their needs and the energy and environmental goals of the building project. The goal of the research and experiments of this dissertation is to explore if real-time information regarding visual comfort requirements to meet a variety of tasks and to simultaneously conserve energy, improves occupant behavior to meet both objectives. Two workplaces in Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace were equipped to test the performance of 60 invited participants in conducting computer based tasks and a paper based task, under three difference lighting controls: 1) Centralized lighting control with no user choice 2) User control of - blind positions for daylight shading - ceiling based lighting fixture luminance output level - task lighting: on/off 3) User control the three components (as listed under point 2 above), with provided simultaneous information regarding energy and related CO2 emissions implications, appropriate light levels meeting tasks requirements, and best choices in order to meet both task requirements and energy conservation goals/objectives. The main findings of the experiments are that real-time information (listed under point 3 above) enables users to meet the visual quality requirements for both computer tasks and the paper task, and to conserve significant amounts of electricity for lighting. Furthermore, the 60 invited participants were asked to identify the importance of the four types of provided information tested in point 3 above. While individual users identified the importance of different information categories, the overall assessment were considered to be significant.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

35

Roumbanis, Lambros. "Kierkegaard och sociologins blinda fläck." Doctoral thesis, Stockholms universitet, Sociologiska institutionen, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-40974.

Full text

Abstract:

The overall aim of this dissertation is to discuss the scope as well as the limits of sociological theory. This project is undertaken with the help of Søren Kierkegaard and his unique interpretation of human existence. Taking as its point of departure the existential reality of the single individual (den Enkelte), this study also addresses the fundamental question posed by Georg Simmel, “How is society possible?” It is argued that an answer to this question needs to take into account the existential concepts of choice, authenticity, subjectivity, anxiety, faith, and responsibility. The strategy – and the implicit method – of this study is to start out from the single individual and gradually move towards society, culture and history. After addressing some theories of everyday life, such as social phenomenology and dramaturgical theory, the investigation moves on to the central sociological problem of how to construct a synthetic theory of the relation between man and society. The final theory to be discussed is the social theory of Jean-Paul Sartre, which can be seen as a reformulation and modification of the Kierkegaardian perspective, now set in dialectical relation to society and history. The main argument of the thesis is that the message that can be found in Kierkegaard’s writings represents both a reminder and a challenge to every sociological project which seeks to achieve a synthesis between individual existence and social reality. Sociological theories can neither account for the existence of the single individual in an exhaustive manner, nor fully integrate this existence into some social system. It is impossible to reduce the existence of individuals to some socially and culturally given lifeworld, because authentic faith and infinite passion constitute an inner experience that is largely hidden from the sociologist observer. A sociological incompleteness theorem is proposed, which states that sociological theories are simply incapable of dealing with certain aspects of human existence. These aspects are, from an ontological point of view, unsettled and not social in nature. This theorem can also be expressed so that there exists a blind spot in every sociological theory that tries to account systematically for the single individual. By focussing attention on the existential tension between choice and inner experience, the sociologist can however push the limits for what can be accomplished with the help of sociological theory.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

36

Sand, Harald. "Gemenskap, individualism och andlighet : Tro och församlingsliv bland unga vuxna i den samtida svenska pingströrelsen." Thesis, Mittuniversitetet, Institutionen för humaniora och samhällsvetenskap, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-36419.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis studies how young adults in today's Swedish Pentecostal congregations describe their beliefs and their congregational life. The thesis applies a theoretic frame of Rational Choice Theory and compares the results with previous research/adjacent studies close to the field. The relevance of this thesis lies in that research on young adults in the Swedish Pentecostal movement is a comparatively unexplored area. The reason to write about young adults in the Swedish Pentecostal movement is rooted in the prospect that this thesis could be a starting point for further studies on young adults in the Swedish Pentecostal movement. The thesis was a qualitative and quantitative multi-method study. The thesis is based on interviews and a questionnaire survey in order to present how young adults in today's Swedish Pentecostal churches describe their beliefs and their congregational life. The thesis identifies some issues that can be raised and investigated in further research on thistopic. Summary of the results The young adults describe that their faith becomes stronger by being part of a Pentecostal congregation. The community of the congregation, both in the smaller and the broader context, confirms the faith which makes their belief stronger. They perceive God as a protector and caretaker, and that God listens to their prayers and cares about them. The subjective part of the faith (the personal relationship with God) they experience as necessary, but they feel that the subjective relationship with God both can be experienced in the church community and solitude. Most of the young adults say they would consider switching the congregation (leave the congregation) if they would not thrive in the congregation or if it would not meet their expectations and needs. The interviews show that the respondents indicate certain preferences that they want to get satisfied and they want to belong to a congregation that can fulfil this. Getting their preferences and needs met is the key to the congregations if they want young adults to stay. The young adults are investing and giving time and commitment to their congregations and want this to generate something back. Most of them thrive in their congregations, but there is room for improvement. Their faith is strong. They are willing to invest in God and then consequently also in their congregations.

Godkännandedatum 2019-06-05

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

37

Forssander, Moa. "En bland 60 : Individuellt lärande i det sydafrikanska skolväsendet." Thesis, Karlstad University, Karlstad University, Karlstad University, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-5122.

Full text

Abstract:

Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka om det sydafrikanska skolväsendet bygger på teorierom det individuella lärandet. Undersökningen genomförs med tre metoder, en textanalys avläroplanen, intervjuer av lärare i Sydafrika och observationer av undervisning i ensydafrikansk skola. Resultatet är att det finns vissa spår av individuellt lärande i läroplanen,hos lärarnas svar och i viss undervisning. I diskussionen kommer jag fram till att även om detfinns frön av individuellt lärande i den sydafrikanska skolan så är det inte tillräckligt för attsäga att hela det sydafrikanska skolväsendet bygger på tankar om det individuella lärandet.Nyckelord: Individuellt lärande, Lärstilar, Revised National Curriculum StatementGrades R-9, Sydafrika.

The purpose of this essay is to investigate whether or not the South African school systempredicates upon theories of individual learning. The investigation is carried out using threemethods, a textual analysis of the Curriculum, interviews with South African teachers andclassroom observations. The resulat is that there are some traits of individual learning in thecurriculum, in the answers of the teachers and in some of the education. In my conclusivediscussion I find that even if there are some traces of individual learning in the South Africanschool system it is not enough to say that the South African school system predicates upontheories of individual learning.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

38

Yang, Eun Ho. "The study of seating arrangement effect on choral blend : positioning singers in three seating arrangements according to individual volume /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/11276.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

39

Ghahramani, Bahman. "En bild av ökad alkoholkonsumtion bland svenska dagstidningar : En tematisk analys av Aftonbladet, Dagens Nyheter, Expressen och Svenska Dagbladet." Thesis, Stockholms universitet, Sociologiska institutionen, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-102732.

Full text

Abstract:

Den här uppsatsen handlar om hur ökad alkoholkonsumtion i Sverige framställs inom den svenska tryckpressen och vilken bild läsare kan få av den här skildringen. Min fråga är om det finns någon konfliktlinje i artiklarnas skildringar av den ökade alkoholkonsumtionen. För att kunna svara på frågan analyserades artiklar från fyra svenska tidningar, Aftonbladet, Dagens Nyheter, Expressen och Svenska Dagbladet under perioden mellan 2000 och 2012. Resultaten visar att det finns en konfliktlinje bland artiklarna när det gäller den svenska alkoholpolitiken. Konflikten uppkommer mellan den liberala diskursen och den restriktiva diskursen. Den liberala diskursen fokuserar på människors frihet. Den argumenterar för att de kan hantera sina friheter och det behövs inga ytterligare restriktiva regler för att begränsa dem. Den uppmärksammar sällan de negativa konsekvenserna av en ökad alkoholkonsumtion. Ett av de viktigaste medlen för att kontrollera alkoholkonsumtion enligt diskursen är alkoholskattesänkningar. Men den restriktiva diskursen hävdar att den restriktiva alkoholpolitiken varit framgångsrik när det gäller kontroll av alkoholkonsumtionen i Sverige. Den betonar de negativa konsekvenserna av alkoholkonsumtion och vill ha en alkoholskattehöjning för att minska alkoholkonsumtionen. De tidningsartiklar jag har studerat i min analys fokuserar på alkoholkonsumtion och dess fluktuationer i en samtidkontext och därför man kan se att de avser vissa aspekter av problemet och bortse från andra aspekter till följd av aktuella händelser. Det leder till att läsaren inte kan få en heltäckande bild av verkligheten. För att få en sådan bild behöver de följa artiklarna ständigt över tiden. Genom att lägga Frankfurtskolans teori som grund för min uppsats drog jag den slutsatsen att tidningsartiklarna förstärker individualismen genom att ignorera att människor är sociala subjekt som kan skapa stora förändringar. Artiklarna är en del av kulturindustrin som genom alkoholreklam bidrar till skapandet av falska behov hos människorna.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

40

Klasson, Linnea, and Lovisa Knutsson. "Can risks be defined while flying blind? : Performing audit risk assessments under environmental uncertainty; a qualitative study using COVID-19 as an empirical example." Thesis, Jönköping University, IHH, Företagsekonomi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-53095.

Full text

Abstract:

Abstract Background & Problem: Risk assessment is a central part of the audit process. Previous audit failures have increased the importance further. Several suggested determinants of risk assessments have been explored within literature. However, literature has not up until now explored what reflection environmental uncertainty has on the risk assessment process. Due to the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19, the opportunity to explore the reflection of uncertainty has been made feasible. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how societal challenges reflect on auditors’ risk assessments of entities. The thesis is conducted using COVID-19 as an event signifying societal challenge. Methodology: This thesis uses an exploratory and abductive research approach. With a qualitative strategy, empirical data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with authorized auditors as participants. Findings: Our findings conclude that the four aspects being firm, environment, individual, and audit client together form the risk assessment. In contrast to literature, the audit client aspect was argued as more important. Further, environmental uncertainty is reflected in risk assessments through these four aspects and can affect each aspect individually in various ways. Future research: Since this study explores reflections of a crisis, while it is still present, we would find it interesting to examine its aftermath. In line with previous literature and our empirical findings, we foremost would suggest future researchers to explore the impact of a societal challenge on audit quality and whether differences are present concerning audit firm size.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

41

Engelbertsson, Petter, Rani Karlsson, and Lina Theander. "Det sa bara klick! : En kvantitativ studie om varumärkeslojaliteten bland Canons och Nikons hobbyfotografer." Thesis, Jönköping University, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-1368.

Full text

Abstract:

Bakgrund: Fotografering är på tapeten mer än någonsin. Försäljningen av systemkameror slår nya rekord för varje år och här Canon och Nikon de världsledande kameramärkena. Många av deras respektive kunder anses vara mycket lojala gentemot varumärket och kan inte tänka sig att byta till det konkurrerande kameramärket. Hängivenheten kan dock tyckas märklig då de två fotogiganterna inte skiljer sig nämnvärt från varandra i sina produktutbud.

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva eventuella lojalitetsskillnader mellan Canons och Nikons hobbyfotografer i Sverige. Vi vill vidare reda ut varför dessa skillnader eller icke-skillnader finns då kameramärkenas produkter knappt skiljer sig åt.

Avgränsningar: Studien utförs främst utifrån ett konsumentperspektiv – producenternas perspektiv har således inte behandlats. Vidare är vi enbart intresserade av att kartlägga och analysera lojaliteten bland hobbyfotografer i Sverige som använder Canon eller Nikon.

Genomförande: Utifrån de tre områdena individ, grupp och märkesprodukt skapade vi en enkät som skickades ut till drygt 850 studenter på distanskursen Digital bildbehandling på Högskolan för lärande och kommunikation i Jönköping. Därmed använde vi oss av en kvantitativ ansats i form av en respondentundersökning. Med undersökningen ämnade vi kartlägga lojaliteten bland Canons och Nikons hobby-fotografer, vilket senare låg till grund för analysen där vi utifrån nämnda teoriområden undersökte varför lojaliteten uppkommit.

Resultat: Varumärkeslojaliteten bland Canons och Nikons fotografer visade sig vara likformad. Dock kunde tendensen att användare av Nikon generellt är mer extrema i sin lojalitet tydas; deras beteenden och attityder genererar högre såväl lojalitet som hyperlojalitet. Vidare kom vi fram till att de tre delarna individ, grupp och märkesprodukt tillsammans utgör grundstenar i varumärkeslojaliteten; denna process har vi sammanfattat i en modell. Vi menar vidare att nuvarande lojalitetsteorier borde fokusera mer på gruppen.

Background: Photography is more popular than ever. The number of sold single-lens reflex cameras increases every year. Canon and Nikon are the two leading brands when it comes to this type of camera. Many of their buyers are considered as being very loyal to their respective brand, and thus they cannot imagine switching to the competiting brand. The preference for a certain brand does seem somewhat strange as the products that the two giants offer do not differ a lot.

Aim: The aim of the study is to describe possible differences concerning loyalty among Canon’s and Nikon’s non professional photographers in Sweden. Also, the purpose of the study is to investigate why these differences exist even though the products are so much alike.

Demarcations: The study has been carried out first and foremost from a consumer perspective. Hence, the producers’ perspective has not been taken into consideration.

Method: A questionnaire based on the three main variables individual, group and brand was formed and sent to more than 850 students that have taken the distance course Digital Image Editing at the School of Education and Communication in Jönköping.

Result: Loyalty towards a specific brand turned out to be fairly similar among Canon’s and Nikon’s photographers. Yet the tendency that the loyalty of those who use Nikon is in general more extreme was discernible; their behaviour and their attitudes generate both stronger loyalty as well as stronger hyper loyalty. The study also shows that the three different variables individual, group and brand act jointly as foundation stones in the brand loyalty; this process has been summarized in a model. Furthermore, we suggest that present loyalty theories should focus more on one of the variables, namely the group.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

42

Johansson, Nellie. "Moderniseringens förlorare : Om politik för att hantera ett utanförskap bland unga vita män medarbetarbakgrund i det postindustriella kunskapssamhället." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-174982.

Full text

Abstract:

Young white men with a working background are described as the losers of the postindustrial society: as being in a marginalized position in which they are at risk of being rejected in the educational system, in the labour market and in social relations. This study examines to which degree the descriptions, provided by the Swedish political parties Socialdemokraterna and Moderaterna through semi-structured interviews, of a marginalization among young white men with a working class background in Sweden coincides with ideas of the postindustrial knowledge society as an explanatory model. Further, the study examines the solutions presented by the parties as a response to a marginalization among young white men with a working background in Sweden. The result shows that the problematization of a marginalization among these young men largely coincides with the postindustrial knowledge society as an explanatory model. Furthermore, it is possible to identify ideological dividing lines in the solutions that are launched: where collectivist views of society are most evident in the solutions presented by Socialdemokraterna, and individualistic views of society in the solutions presented by Moderaterna. An optimistic view of man is further identified in the solutions presented by both parties.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

43

Grehn, Emma, and Frida Vikström. "Utmattningssyndrom bland socialsekreterare : Chefers syn på utmattningssyndrom och psykosocial arbetsmiljö inom individ- och familjeomsorg." Thesis, Högskolan Dalarna, Socialt arbete, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:du-32520.

Full text

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to examine how supervisors within individual and family care handle the area for burnout among social workers. The study also examined supervisors view on the psychosocial environment and its significance for burn-out. In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with 7 professionals supervisor. The result show that supervisors within individual and family care have experience of burn-out among social workers. All informants point out that the occurrence of burn-out looks different for different individuals who are affected. The result also show, based on the informant’s responses, that the psychosocial work environment in the workplace has a connection with the mental illness of the employee and that in combination with each other, affect the individual's well-being. The majority of informants illustrate various challenges regarding these areas, including privacy life versus professional life in the occurrence of burn-out. The result of the study show that there is a need for more research on the subject.
Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur chefer inom individ- och familjeomsorg hanterar området för utmattningssyndrom bland socialsekreterare. Studien undersökte även chefers syn på den psykosociala arbetsmiljön och dess betydelse för utmattningssyndrom på arbetsplatsen. Till studien valdes en kvalitativ ansats där sju stycken yrkesverksamma chefer intervjuades. Resultatet visar att chefer inom individ-och familjeomsorg har erfarenheter av utmattningssyndrom bland socialsekreterare. Samtliga informanter pekar på att uppkomsten av utmattningssyndrom ser olika ut för olika individer som drabbas. Resultatet visar också, utifrån informanternas upplevelser, att den psykosociala arbetsmiljön på arbetsplatsen har ett samband med psykisk ohälsa hos medarbetaren och att dessa i kombination med varandra påverkar individens mående. Majoriteten av informanterna belyser olika utmaningar gällande dessa områden, däribland privatliv kontra yrkesliv i uppkomsten av utmattningssyndrom. Resultatet av studien visar att det finns ett behov av mer forskning kring ämnet.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

44

Adams, Kirk. "Journeys Through Rough Country: An Ethnographic Study of Blind Adults Successfully Employed in American Corporations." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1552066999409903.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

45

Kislioglu, Resit. "Collective Action And Group Attachment: Interplay Of Free-riding Behaviour And Patriotism." Master's thesis, METU, 2010. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12612368/index.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Conflict between self-interest and group-interest constitute a challenge for the individuals and the groups. The conflict should be resolved for a healthy maintenance of collective action
otherwise the free-rider problem is a likely result. This thesis is about the individual motivation loss -psychological aspect of free-rider problem- and its relation to group attachment &ndash
patriotism-. Free-riding is proposed to be related to patriotism
and guilt, shame and pride emotions. Experimental manipulations include an announcement and confederate condition. Patriotism is analysed within the framework of constructive and blind patriotism. An experiment &ndash
public goods game- measuring free-riding behaviour was conducted for the study. A total of 192 participants took a part in the experiment (98 females and 85 males). Free-riding was found to be negatively related to constructive patriotism
but no significant relation to blind patriotism was found. A look at the concept and development of &ldquo
individual&rdquo
and social capital theory is provided in order to help conceptualise the problem. Results and possible implications of the empirical findings are discussed. Implications are also discussed in a politically and culturally relevant way to Turkey.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

46

Chatel-Goldman, Jonas. "Electroencéphalographie synchrone de deux individus : peut-on appliquer la neuroimagerie à l'étude de l'interaction humaine ?" Phd thesis, Université de Grenoble, 2014. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01072978.

Full text

Abstract:

Notre recherche vise à explorer les bases cérébrales de l'interaction sociale, par le biais notamment de l'électro-encéphalographie synchrone de plusieurs individus (hyperscanning-EEG). Cette thèse s'articule autour de trois volets théoriques, méthodologiques et expérimentaux complémentaires dans leur fonction. En premier lieu, nous proposons deux cadres conceptuels éclairant l'analyse des synchronies interindividuelles (couplage) chez l'humain. Le premier cadre s'intéresse aux conditions d'apparition du couplage, que l'on présente en considérant les principes fondamentaux qui semblent prédisposer à son émergence. Le second cadre théorique a pour but d'appréhender les rôles fonctionnels possibles du couplage. On y propose une taxonomie des processus de cognition sociale explorés au cours d'expériences sur le couplage entre sujets en interaction. En second lieu, des travaux en traitement du signal visent à développer des méthodes d'analyse adéquates pour les données produites au cours d'expérimentations en hyperscanning. On s'intéresse en particulier aux approches de séparation de source conjointe (JBSS) permettant de prendre en compte l'information inter-sujet dans la séparation. L'avantage de ces développements récents sur les méthodes classiques est démontré par une étude comparative de leurs performances sur données réelles acquises en hyperscanning-EEG. En dernier lieu, on contribue au champ des neurosciences sociales à travers une étude hyperscanning-EEG qui porte sur les effets du toucher affectif sur le couplage des activités cérébrales et physiologiques entre individus en interaction. Nous montrons que, chez des partenaires en couple, le toucher peut accroitre la dépendance des activités physiologiques, un résultat qui appuie son rôle particulier pour la communication et le support affectif au sein des relations intimes.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

47

Gustavsson, Frida, and Isabelle Svärd. "Are you willing to go the extra mile? : Konsulters arbete för att skapa känslomässigt engagemang till förändring bland kundens medarbetare vid implementering av CRM." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informatik och media, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-393451.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis aims at investigating how consultants enable affective commitment to change amongst customers’ employees during implementation of customer relationship management (CRM) in the client organization. Further, Herscovitch and Meyers (2002) model of commitment to organizational change with an emphasis on affective commitment to change has been used as the theoretical framework to guide the empirical study conducted in the thesis. To answer the research question, a qualitative research method has been applied in which eleven semi-structured interviews with consultants at four consulting firms have been carried out.Finally, the thesis makes a contribution in terms of five guidelines that imply how consultants through change management may enable affective commitment to change amongst customers’ employees. Ultimately, these guidelines relate to managing people facing change given the organizational change that implementation of CRM entails.
Denna uppsats syftar till att undersöka hur konsulter arbetar för att skapa känslomässigt engagemang till förändring bland kundens medarbetare vid implementering av customer relationship management (CRM) hos kund. Vidare har uppsatsen använt Herscovitch och Meyers (2002) modell för engagemang till organisationsförändring med fokus på känslomässigt engagemang till förändring som teoretiskt ramverk. Detta för att vägleda den empiriska studien som har utförts inom ramen för uppsatsen. En kvalitativ forskningsmetod har använts och elva semistrukturerade intervjuer med konsulter på fyra konsultföretag har genomförts för att besvara uppsatsens forskningsfråga.Uppsatsen lämnar ett bidrag i form av fem riktlinjer för hur konsulter genom förändringsledning kan arbeta för att skapa känslomässigt engagemang till förändring bland kundens medarbetare. Detta för att skapa möjligheter för människor som står inför förändring som följd av de förändringar som implementering av CRM innebär.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

48

Huang, Jong-Hsyan, and 黃忠賢. "A study of Blind Individuals'' Perception of Marriage." Thesis, 2003. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/02567088733725045186.

Full text

Abstract:

碩士
國立彰化師範大學
特殊教育研究所
91
A Study of Blind Individuals’ Perception of Marriage Jong-Hsyan Huang Abstract The purpose of this study were to explore blind individuals’ perception of marriage through the approach of indepth interview under the descriptive analysis framework. Factors that affect their reactions toward marriage are analyzed. How marriage affect their perceptions of quality of life are also studied. Nine individuals who were diagnosed as blind without any residual vision are interviewed. Findings of this study indicate that: Ⅰ. Love relationship before marriage does affect blind individuals’ reactions toward marriage. Blind individuals who were not involved with love relationship appear more hesitant and less confident about marriage. While blind individuals who were in love relationship confront the challenge of marriage more actively. Ⅱ. Blind individuals who are married gave both positive and negative feedback about their marriage relationships. However, marriage (especially the duty of partnership and child-rearing) does make blind individuals (especially female individual) feel “normal” and attain “quality of life”. Ⅲ. Remarried individuals emphasized more safety feeling and felt less positive influences of child in marriage relationships. In marriage relationships, individuals trust that promises and commitments of marriage could make marriage stable. Compared with the married individuals, the family life was priority in remarried individuals’ life. Additionally, factors which could specificly affect blind individuals’ perception of marriage, such as: appearance, tone and voice, physical conditions, and/or second marriage concerns, are discussed in the study.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

49

Jurakhan, Kebashnee. "The accessibility of websites for blind and visually impaired individuals." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/9545.

Full text

Abstract:

This study investigates the accessibility of web sites for blind and visually impaired individuals. The researcher’s aim in this study is to highlight the different problems these individuals experience when interacting with websites. A case study approach was adopted in order to investigate accessibility problems amongst blind and visually impaired people. This was investigated by conducting a user test, observation with the think aloud technique and interviews. The user test was made up of tasks where the participants had to visit four different types of websites and complete predefined tasks for each of these websites. The researcher also analysed the data by the use of automated web evaluations. This was used to compare the automated web evaluation results with the researcher’s results. Content analysis was used to identify frequencies and intensities with which themes and concepts appear in interviewee responses. In addition, correspondence analysis was used to help corroborate the findings of the content analysis and interpret the data. Results revealed that blind and visually impaired individuals do experience many difficulties when interacting with websites. The findings identified certain technical and conceptual accessibility problems that were experienced by blind and visually impaired individuals. The results also indicate that there is a relationship between website design and accessibility problems experienced. Further, the results indicate that the use of an assistive technology has a positive effect on the performance of web based tasks.
Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

50

"Enhancing Movie Comprehension For Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired Or Blind." Master's thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.9408.

Full text

Abstract:

abstract: Typically, the complete loss or severe impairment of a sense such as vision and/or hearing is compensated through sensory substitution, i.e., the use of an alternative sense for receiving the same information. For individuals who are blind or visually impaired, the alternative senses have predominantly been hearing and touch. For movies, visual content has been made accessible to visually impaired viewers through audio descriptions -- an additional narration that describes scenes, the characters involved and other pertinent details. However, as audio descriptions should not overlap with dialogue, sound effects and musical scores, there is limited time to convey information, often resulting in stunted and abridged descriptions that leave out many important visual cues and concepts. This work proposes a promising multimodal approach to sensory substitution for movies by providing complementary information through haptics, pertaining to the positions and movements of actors, in addition to a film's audio description and audio content. In a ten-minute presentation of five movie clips to ten individuals who were visually impaired or blind, the novel methodology was found to provide an almost two time increase in the perception of actors' movements in scenes. Moreover, participants appreciated and found useful the overall concept of providing a visual perspective to film through haptics.
Dissertation/Thesis
M.S. Computer Science 2011

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Blind individuals'

Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles