The effects of belongingness on the Simultaneous Lightness Contrast: A virtual reality study

Simultaneous Lightness Contrast (SLC) is the phenomenon whereby a grey patch on a dark background appears lighter than an equal patch on a light background. Interestingly, the lightness difference between these patches undergoes substantial augmentation when the two backgrounds are patterned, thereby forming the articulated-SLC display. There are two main interpretations of these phenomena: The midlevel interpretation maintains that the visual system groups the luminance within a set of contiguous frameworks, whilst the high-level one claims that the visual system splits the luminance into separate overlapping layers corresponding to separate physical contributions. This research aimed to test these two interpretations by systematically manipulating the viewing distance and the horizontal distance between the backgrounds of both the articulated and plain SLC displays. An immersive 3D Virtual Reality system was employed to reproduce identical alignment and distances, as well as isolating participants from interfering luminance. Results showed that reducing the viewing distance resulted in increased contrast in both the plain- and articulated-SLC displays and that, increasing the horizontal distance between the backgrounds resulted in decreased contrast in the articulated condition but increased contrast in the plain condition. These results suggest that a comprehensive lightness theory should combine the two interpretations

Perceptions of fairness: a comparative critique of the use of lifestyle advertising in the promotion of skin lightening products

The popularity and prevalence of the practice of skin lightening in South Asian communities is widespread and the ideas behind the practice are deep-rooted. Skin lightening products are promoted using lifestyle advertising and this technique attracts and makes the product more relatable to its target audience. The trend to use skin lightening products and the advertisements promoting them have branched out into Canada as well, however, few consumers realize the harm that is brought on by purchasing and using the skin lightening products that are available in today's market. The framework surrounding the regulation of skin lightening products in Canada is inadequate and there are several gaps that need to be filled in order to better protect consumers. Like skin lightening products, tobacco products were also widely promoted using lifestyle advertising. In addition, the consumption and use of tobacco products also presents significant risks to consumers. Yet, tobacco regulation in Canada has undergone a major overhaul to address some of the same types of gaps that were initially found during its inception. Therefore, given the similarities in the methods of promotion coupled with the potential harm caused to consumers, this paper makes a case for similar frameworks to be put in place to regulate both types of products

Premises for Reforming the Regulation of Securities Offerings: An Essay

Cox discusses six fundamental tenets that should guide the regulation of public offerings of securities. It is assumed that regulation is to be re-examined from the ground up, with no political or regulatory constraints