Cortical Dynamics of Contextually-Cued Attentive Visual Learning and Search: Spatial and Object Evidence Accumulation

How do humans use predictive contextual information to facilitate visual search? How are consistently paired scenic objects and positions learned and used to more efficiently guide search in familiar scenes? For example, a certain combination of objects can define a context for a kitchen and trigger a more efficient search for a typical object, such as a sink, in that context. A neural model, ARTSCENE Search, is developed to illustrate the neural mechanisms of such memory-based contextual learning and guidance, and to explain challenging behavioral data on positive/negative, spatial/object, and local/distant global cueing effects during visual search. The model proposes how global scene layout at a first glance rapidly forms a hypothesis about the target location. This hypothesis is then incrementally refined by enhancing target-like objects in space as a scene is scanned with saccadic eye movements. The model clarifies the functional roles of neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging data in visual search for a desired goal object. In particular, the model simulates the interactive dynamics of spatial and object contextual cueing in the cortical What and Where streams starting from early visual areas through medial temporal lobe to prefrontal cortex. After learning, model dorsolateral prefrontal cortical cells (area 46) prime possible target locations in posterior parietal cortex based on goalmodulated percepts of spatial scene gist represented in parahippocampal cortex, whereas model ventral prefrontal cortical cells (area 47/12) prime possible target object representations in inferior temporal cortex based on the history of viewed objects represented in perirhinal cortex. The model hereby predicts how the cortical What and Where streams cooperate during scene perception, learning, and memory to accumulate evidence over time to drive efficient visual search of familiar scenes.CELEST, an NSF Science of Learning Center (SBE-0354378); SyNAPSE program of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (HR0011-09-3-0001, HR0011-09-C-0011

Recreation, tourism and nature in a changing world : proceedings of the fifth international conference on monitoring and management of visitor flows in recreational and protected areas : Wageningen, the Netherlands, May 30-June 3, 2010

Proceedings of the fifth international conference on monitoring and management of visitor flows in recreational and protected areas : Wageningen, the Netherlands, May 30-June 3, 201

The Societal Unconscious

The Societal Unconscious sets a new broad horizon for in-depth understanding of learning in everyday life. The psychosocial approach re-integrates the societal and the psychodynamic dimensions in analyzing adult learners and learning processes, recognizing psychodynamic dimensions of learning. Readership: This book will be essential for scholars and advanced students working in interdisciplinary boundary zones in social and cultural sciences, education and psychology and other disciplines

Deciphering Political Utopias. Unions, Female Night Work, and Gender Justice

La discusión de grupo es un método cualitativo perfectamente situado para analizar actitudes y opiniones en un nivel supra – individual y trazar el proceso de cómo emergen. Las teorías de grupo psicoanalítico amplían nuestro entendimiento de los procesos de grupo al sumar la dimensión del inconsciente: también los grupos muestran reacciones de defensa y formas de represión. Al sumar esta dimensión, podemos mostrar cómo los grupos sociales proceden para colectivamente relegar asuntos importantes al reino del inconsciente. De esta manera, los procesos sociales de defensa son reproducidos in actu.En discusiones de grupo que involucran a mujeres de sindicatos, el predicamento de las madres trabajadoras deviene particularmente claro. Un extracto de una discusión de grupo ilustra que las mujeres parecen percibir el trabajo nocturno como la única solución realística al problema de reconciliar trabajo y familia. Solamente cuando nos movemos hacia una hermenéutica psicoanalítica de entendimiento escénico, somos capaces de revelar una concepción reprimida de una vida amenazadora atrás de una demanda paradójica: el deseo de superar la separación de labor productiva y labor reproductiva en las vidas de ambos sexos; un deseo que solo puede ser alcanzado si los sindicatos también, perciben las relaciones de género como un desafío político que demanda atención.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs120315Die Gruppendiskussion als qualitative Methode ist vorzüglich geeignet, überindividuelle Haltungen und Meinungen zu untersuchen und ihren Entstehungsprozess zu verfolgen. Psychoanalytische Gruppentheorien erweitern das Verständnis von Gruppenprozessen um eine unbewusste Dimension: Auch in Gruppen und Institutionen gibt es Abwehr und Verdrängung. Durch diese Erweiterung kann gezeigt werden, wie innerhalb sozialer Gruppen auch wichtige Themen gemeinsam unbewusst gemacht werden können. Auf diese Weise reproduziert sich aktuell ein gesellschaftlicher Abwehrprozess. In Gruppendiskussionen von Gewerkschafterinnen wird die Not der erwerbstätigen Mütter besonders deutlich. Ein Textbeispiel zeigt, dass die Frauen scheinbar Nachtarbeit als eine Lösung ihres Vereinbarkeitsproblems begreifen. Erst die Anwendung einer psychoanalytischen Hermeneutik, des szenischen Verstehens, vermag zu zeigen, dass hinter der paradoxen Forderung ein verdrängter Lebensentwurf steht: die Sehnsucht nach Aufhebung der Trennung von produktiver und reproduktiver Arbeit für beide Geschlechter. Die wird nur möglich, wenn auch Gewerkschaften das Geschlechterverhältnis als politische Aufgabe begreifen.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs120315The group discussion is a qualitative method perfectly suited for analyzing attitudes and opinions at the supra-individual level and tracing the process of how they emerge. Psychoanalytic group theories expand our understanding of group processes by adding the dimension of the unconscious: groups, too, display defense reactions and forms of repression. By adding this dimension, we can show how social groups proceed to collectively relegate important issues to the realm of the unconscious. In this way, social defense processes are reproduced in actu.In group discussions involving female union members, the predicament of working mothers comes to the fore particularly clearly. An excerpt from a group discussion illustrates that the women seem to perceive night work as the only realistic solution to the problem of reconciling work and family. Only when we turn to a psychoanalytic hermeneutics of scenic understanding are we able to reveal a repressed conception of life looming behind the paradoxical demand: the desire to overcome the separation of productive and reproductive labor in the lives of both sexes; a desire that can only be achieved if labor unions, too, perceive gender relations as a political challenge demanding their attention.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs12031

Seeing sense: the visual culture of provincial Ireland 1896-1906

The objective of this research is to examine what is meant by visual culture in the context of provincial Ireland between 1896 and 1906 and the argue for a particular conception of its meaning, range and influence. This study defines visual culture in terms of the interaction between viewer and viewed, recognising the complex interplay between the images produced and circulated within a culture, the viewing apparatus(es) by which such images are made available and the cultural consciousness, competences and preferences which accompany and influence our viewing experiences. By surveying the reception of Magic Lantern and Cinematograph entertainments in rural Ireland between 1896 and 1906, it becomes possible to suggest a distinction between historically and culturally grounded ‘ways of seeing 5. In presenting evidence of a complex of receptive patterns, it is argued that the exhibition and reception of such media in conjunction with cultural repertoires and ideological influence forms the basis from which the era’s visual culture can be described and mapped

Recreational, Cultural and Aesthetic Services from Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems

The role of economic analysis in guiding the sustainable development of estuarine and coastal ecosystems is investigated based on a comprehensive review of the literature on the valuation of the recreation, cultural and aesthetic services. The implications of the findings for the sustainable management of coral reefs, Marine Protected Areas, and Small Island Developing States are discussed. Finally, the potential of meta-analytical benefit transfer and scaling up of values at various aggregation levels is demonstrated in the context of coastal tourism and recreation in Europe. The results of the study support the conclusion that the non-material values provided by coastal and estuarine ecosystems in terms of recreational, cultural and aesthetic services represent a substantial component of human well-being.Aesthetic Values, Coastal Recreation, Coral Reefs, Cultural Values, Ecosystem Services Valuation, Ecosystem Services, Estuarine Ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas, Non-market Valuation, Non-use Values, Passive Values, Recreational Fishing, Small Island Developing States, Spiritual and Religious Values.

Dynamic Conditioning: Preparation of actors for the delivery of dynamic performance

This thesis represents an attempt to establish, and develop, a methodology for the preparation of actors for delivery of a physically and vocally dynamic performance, informed by the fact of theatrical immediacy. Specifically, this can be understood as a systematised collection of exercises and principles that are conducive to such an intent. The effectiveness of the conditioning exercises engaged in were tested through the preparation and staging of The Best Thing!, a full-length play, for public audience. A structural division has been made in this document between theoretical research and practical elements. In Chapter 1 can be discovered the progression of theory that informed the development of exercises engaged in, as well as stylistic intentions. The paradigmatic state of the modern theatre is discussed, in relation to the new performative mediums of film and television, concluding that a formal shift is required in theatre if it is to continue to be justified as a relevant artistic medium in contemporary culture. This is formed with reference to the prior work of a range of theatrical practitioners and theorists of the past century. In Chapter 2 the successive stages of practical research undertaken are discussed. Beginning with the training investigations, continuing into a discussion of rehearsal processes, and culminating with an analysis of The Best Thing! in this specific staged form, with attention given to its success with respect to the performance Dynamics identified in the research previously enacted. Documentary material, regarding investigative processes and theoretical development may be found within the Appendices. This includes a detailed dramaturgical analysis, a narrative deconstruction of The Best Thing!, and a complete elaboration of the activities and exercises engaged in during the research process. Several videos are also included, providing practical demonstration of events discussed

An Examination of Stakeholder Perceptions in Conventional and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of Environmental Management

Effective environmental management is integrally linked to well-designed monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. Within the need for M&E to manage our environments in the most effective ways, there is an emerging trend to include social dimensions in environmental management and M&E efforts. Accordingly, this research responds to the need to better understand stakeholder perceptions of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to M&E, as well as the influences of engaging in a participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) process. Two objectives were associated with this aim. Objective One (Study One) addressed the tension that practitioners and scholars face regarding the intricate balance of employing a conventional M&E approach in environmental management, with the perceptions of various stakeholders. This study statistically compares two different stakeholder groups’ perceptions about KPIs for M&E at 12 different viewpoint locations in Niagara Parks. Visitor perceptions were also considered against the environmental managers’ perceptions of the viewpoint sites. Results demonstrate that visitor groups do not differ in their overall perceptions of KPIs for viewpoints; however, they do differ in their perceptions for specific KPI sub-criteria. Additionally, environmental managers and visitor groups significantly differ in their perceptions of KPIs for viewpoints. Objective Two (Study Two) was concerned with exploring the influences of engaging in a PM&E process on stakeholder perceptions of KPIs for trails. This study compared stakeholder perceptions of KPIs for trails between a group of individuals before and after they completed a PM&E workshop. Results demonstrated that the PM&E process can be used to reach consensus among stakeholders regarding the overall goals and associated KPIs for environmental management planning. Additionally, stakeholders experience a real change in their perceptions of KPIs for trails after participating in the first three phases of a PM&E process. Overall findings have many implications for theory and practice including, but not limited to, improved environmental management, appropriate integration of stakeholder perceptions in management, addressing intergroup conflicts, gaining stakeholder support for environmental management actions, as well as informing areas for influencing stakeholder behaviour and perceptions. This thesis highlights the value and practicality of using stakeholder perceptions in environmental management