Eye movements and attention in visual feature search with graded target-distractor-similarity

We conducted a visual feature search experiment in which we varied the target-distractor-similarity in four steps, the number of items (4, 6, and 8), and the presence of the target. In addition to classical search parameters like error rate and reaction time (RT), we analyzed saccade amplitudes, fixation durations, and the portion of reinspections (recurred fixation on an item with at least one different item fixated in between) and refixations (recurred fixation on an item without a different item fixated in between) per trial. When target-distractor-similarity was increased, more errors and longer RTs were observed, accompa-nied by shorter saccade amplitudes, longer fixation durations, and more reinspec-tions/refixations. An increasing set size resulted in longer saccade amplitudes and shorter fixation durations. Finally, in target absent trials we observed more reinspections than refixations, whereas in target present trials refixations were more frequent than reinspec-tions. The results on saccade amplitude and fixation duration support saliency-based search theo-ries that assume an attentional focus variable in size according to task demands and a vari-able attentional dwell time. Reinspections and refixations seem to be rather a sign of in-complete perceptual processing of items than being due to memory failure

How to Enable Sovereign Human-AI Interactions at Work? Concepts of Graspable Testbeds Empowering People to Understand and Competently Use AI-Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) strategies are exhibiting a shift of perspectives, focusing more intensively on a more human-centric view. New conceptualizations of AI literacy (AIL) are being presented, summarizing the competencies human users need to successfully interact with AI-based systems. However, these conceptualizations lack practical relevance. In view of the rapid pace of technological development, this contribution addresses the urgent need to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts of AIL and practical requirements of working environments. It transfers current conceptualizations and new principles of a more human-centered perspective on AI into professional working environments. From a psychological perspective, the project focuses on emotional-motivational, eudaimonic, and social aspects. Methodologically, the project presented develops AI testbeds in virtual reality to realize literally graspable interactions with AI-based technologies in the actual work environment. Overall, the project aims to increase the competencies and the willingness to successfully master the challenges of the digitalized world of work

An Update on the Virtual Mission Control Room

In 2021 we presented the Virtual Mission Control Room (VMCR) on the verge from fun educational project to testing ground for remote cooperative mission control. Since then, we successfully participated in ESA\u27s 2022 campaign New ideas to make XR a reality , which granted us additional funding to improve the VMCR software and conduct usability testing in cooperation with the chair of human-computer-interaction. In this paper and the corresponding poster session we give an update on the current state of the project, the new features and project structure. We explain the changes suggested by early test users and ESA to make operators feel more at home in the virtual environment. Subsequently, our project partners present their first suggestions for improvements to the VMCR as well as their plans for user testing. We conclude with lessons learned and and a look ahead into our plans for the future of the project

Virtual Reality in Modern English Teaching and its Potential for Inter- and Transcultural Learning

Der Aufbau von inter- und transkulturellen Kompetenzen im modernen Englischunterricht verlangt nach authentischen, kulturübergreifenden Begegnungs- und Kommunikationssituationen. Virtual Reality (VR) als Ort der Partizipation und Konstruktion kann dem Erwerb kultureller Kompetenzen zentrale Vorteile bieten, die die physischen Grenzen des Klassenzimmers auflösen und Lernende weltweit in authentische Kommunikationssituationen mit Lernenden treten lassen. Als Teil des Forschungsinteresses soll dabei untersucht werden, inwiefern Avatare, Kontexte und virtuelle Objekte Initiatoren und Begleiter kultureller Lernprozesse sein können. Für den Forschungsfokus auf virtuelle Objekte wurde eigens das InteractionSuitcase entwickelt, eine Sammlung virtueller Objekte, die unterschiedliche Stereotypisierungsgrade aufweisen und von Lernenden in der Kommunikationssituation genutzt werden können. Aufbauend auf dieser Entwicklung wurde ein universitäres Seminarkonzept entwickelt, in dem die Studierenden handlungs- und produktorientiert Unterrichtskonzepte für den Einsatz von VR im Fremdsprachenunterricht entwerfen. Ziel dieses Beitrages ist, die Entwicklung der VR-Welt und des Seminarkonzeptes vor dem Hintergrund medien- und kulturdidaktischer sowie empirischer Überlegungen vorzustellen (1) und anschliessend über die Ergebnisse der empirischen Begleitforschung zu berichten (2).Fostering inter- and transcultural competencies in modern foreign language teaching requires authentic, cross-cultural communication and collaboration. Virtual reality (VR) as a tool for participation and co-construction can offer key advantages to these learning processes, dissolving the physical boundaries of the classroom and allowing learners to engage in authentic communication activities with learners worldwide. As part of the research interest, the extent to which avatars, contexts and virtual objects can be initiators and facilitators of cultural learning processes will be explored. For the research focus on virtual objects, we developed the InteractionSuitcase, a collection of virtual objects that have different degrees of stereotyping and can be used by learners as initiators for communication. Based on this development, a university seminar concept was developed, in which students design action- and product-oriented teaching concepts integrating VR in foreign language teaching. The goal of this paper is to present the development of the VR environment and the seminar concept considering media- and cultural didactics as well as empirical considerations (1) and then to report on the results of the accompanying empirical research (2)

Left-handers look before they leap:handedness influences reactivity to novel Tower of Hanoi tasks

A sample of 203 task naïve left- and right-handed participants were asked to complete a combination of the 3- and 4-disk Towers of Hanoi (ToH), manipulating novelty and complexity. Self-reported state anxiety and latency to respond (initiation time) were recorded before each ToH. Novelty had a major effect on initiation time, particularly for left-handers. Left-handers had a longer latency to start and this was significantly longer on the first trial. Irrespective of hand-preference, initiation time reduced on the second trial, however, this was greatest for left-handers. Condition of task did not systematically influence initiation time for right handers, but did for left-handers. State anxiety was influenced by task novelty and complexity in a more complicated way. During the first trial, there was a significant handedness × number of disks interaction with left-handers having significantly higher state anxiety levels before the 3-disk ToH. This suggests that the initial reaction to this task for left-handers was not simply due to perceived difficulty. On their second trial, participants completing a novel ToH had higher state anxiety scores than those completing a repeated version. Overall, left-handers had a larger reduction in their state anxiety across trials. Relating to this, the expected strong positive correlation between state and trait anxiety was absent for left-handed females in their first tower presentation, but appeared on their second. This was driven by low trait anxiety individuals showing a higher state anxiety response in the first (novel) trial, supporting the idea that left-handed females respond to novelty in a way that is not directly a consequence of their trait anxiety. A possible explanation may be stereotype threat influencing the behavior of left-handed females

Heterogeneous switching costs and vertical mergers : cases for state intervention?

Defence date: 23 March 2010Examining Board: Elena Carletti, European University Institute; Ulrich Kamecke, Humboldt University; Massimo Motta, Supervisor, Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Michele Polo, Bocconi UniversityPDF of thesis uploaded from the Library digital archive of EUI PhD thesesOver the last months economic discussions have been as intense as rarely before, questioning the foundations of economic theory as well as practice. The financial and economic crisis has had a strong impact on economic discussion and how economics is generally perceived. The central question to be asked is, however, an old one. It concerns the 'division of labour' between the State and private enterprises. What can, what should be the task of the State, in particular to what extent should it intervene in a market economy? How much regulation is needed? Will the private objective of profit maximization on its own lead to the best economic outcome? These questions are far from being limited to financial markets. The role of the State is also at stake with respect to a fair distribution of economic benefits (and losses) within the society. This thesis deals with certain aspects of these old and currently much discussed issues. The first chapter concerns the effects on different groups of the population if a previously regulated market is opened up for competition. While the efficiency gains of enhanced competition are not put into questions in this framework, it is asked whether more vulnerable groups of the society could actually be left behind by an increase in competition. These questions are of particular relevance in the context of public utilities liberalization which has been high on the agenda of policy makers over the last two decades and where the European Commission has pushed its agenda in a decisive way. In contrast to the call for reduced State involvement and less regulation in public utilities, merger control has for long been an area where economists agreed on the need of an institutionalized public control mechanism in order to limit the exploitation of market power and monopolistic behaviour. This is in particular true for horizontal mergers. For vertical mergers, on the other hand, merger related efficiency gains are more clear-cut and they were therefore considered to have a likely more positive effect on welfare than horizontal mergers. The second chapter of this thesis deals with a particular case where a horizontal and a vertical aspect of a merger are combined and analyses its potential impact on prices. Taking a real case which was notified to the European Commission as a starting point, the question behind is obviously whether public authorities should intervene under such a scenario, which is particularly common in the energy sector, and prohibit the merger or whether it will have positive effects and should therefore be authorized. The question of the impact of vertical mergers is further pursued in the third chapter of this thesis which first outlines the theoretical evolution and general background of economists’ attitude towards vertical mergers. It also shows for the example of three cases how a particular public authority, the European Commission, has practically acted when vertical mergers were notified. The paper looks at how the effects of vertical mergers were assessed and whether the European Commission concluded that intervention was necessary due to a negative impact of the notified merger on competition. The cases all concern a public utility, namely the energy sector, an area where the Commission has indeed been pushing forward the objective of liberalization and deregulation, sometimes perhaps via instruments not originally designed for this objective. While making the case for less State activity in the energy sector, the Commission might have been over-active in its merger decisions in this field in order to attain its liberalization objectives. All three chapters of this thesis therefore deal with different aspects of State intervention or non-intervention into markets and its impact on the market players. Over the last year this issue has made it once again to the centre stage of economic discussion. However, independently of economic fashions, the business cycle, and political developments, the question of how much State intervention is needed and is most beneficial will always remain in the focus of economic analysis