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Wang G, Zheng C, Wu X, Deng Z, Sperandio I, Goodale MA, Chen J. The contribution of semantic distance knowledge to size constancy in perception and grasping when visual cues are limited. Neuropsychologia 2024; 196:108838. [PMID: 38401629 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
To achieve a stable perception of object size in spite of variations in viewing distance, our visual system needs to combine retinal image information and distance cues. Previous research has shown that, not only retinal cues, but also extraretinal sensory signals can provide reliable information about depth and that different neural networks (perception versus action) can exhibit preferences in the use of these different sources of information during size-distance computations. Semantic knowledge of distance, a purely cognitive signal, can also provide distance information. Do the perception and action systems show differences in their ability to use this information in calculating object size and distance? To address this question, we presented 'glow-in-the-dark' objects of different physical sizes at different real distances in a completely dark room. Participants viewed the objects monocularly through a 1-mm pinhole. They either estimated the size and distance of the objects or attempted to grasp them. Semantic knowledge was manipulated by providing an auditory cue about the actual distance of the object: "20 cm", "30 cm", and "40 cm". We found that semantic knowledge of distance contributed to some extent to size constancy operations during perceptual estimation and grasping, but size constancy was never fully restored. Importantly, the contribution of knowledge about distance to size constancy was equivalent between perception and action. Overall, our study reveals similarities and differences between the perception and action systems in the use of semantic distance knowledge and suggests that this cognitive signal is useful but not a reliable depth cue for size constancy under restricted viewing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gexiu Wang
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, and the School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510631, China
| | - Chao Zheng
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, and the School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510631, China
| | - Xiaoqian Wu
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, and the School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510631, China
| | - Zhiqing Deng
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, and the School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510631, China
| | - Irene Sperandio
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, 38068, Italy
| | - Melvyn A Goodale
- Western Institute for Neuroscience and the Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C2, Canada
| | - Juan Chen
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, and the School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510631, China; Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510631, China.
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Wang Q, Wang H, Chen S, Deng H, Zhu Y. Scientific Problem Solving and Brain Symmetry Index: An exploratory EEG study. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083037 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Scientific problem solving has recently attracted fixation in the field of cognitive neuroscience and science education. Until now, there is very little evidence on the brain dynamics of scientific problem-solving processes. In this study, we were interested in exploring whether Brain Symmetry Index (BSI) would be an EEG index to reveal neural information. The present EEG study used two levels of complexity physics problems to research the neural mechanism of problem solving. Results indicated that relatively greater BSI found during difficult problem solving on the prefrontal theta and beta band. However, smaller BSI on the occipital alpha was found when solving difficult problems. There was no significant relationship between BSI and self-effort evaluation. The current study proposes an EEG index - BSI to reflect underlying brain functional characteristic.
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Skelling-Desmeules Y, Brault Foisy LM, Potvin P, Lapierre HG, Ahr E, Léger PM, Masson S, Charland P. Persistence of the "Moving Things Are Alive" Heuristic into Adulthood: Evidence from EEG. CBE LIFE SCIENCES EDUCATION 2021; 20:ar45. [PMID: 34388004 PMCID: PMC8715811 DOI: 10.1187/cbe.19-11-0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although a growing number of studies indicate that simple strategies, intuitions, or cognitive shortcuts called heuristics can persistently interfere with scientific reasoning in physics and chemistry, the persistence of heuristics related to learning biology is less known. In this study, we investigate the persistence of the "moving things are alive" heuristic into adulthood with 28 undergraduate students who were asked to select between two images, one of which one represented a living thing, while their electroencephalographic signals were recorded. Results show that N2 and LPP event-related potential components, often associated with tasks requiring inhibitory control, are higher in counterintuitive trials (i.e., in trials including moving things not alive or nonmoving things alive) compared with intuitive ones. To our knowledge, these findings represent the first neurocognitive evidence that the "moving things are alive" heuristic persists into adulthood and that overcoming this heuristic might require inhibitory control. Potential implications for life science education are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Skelling-Desmeules
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
| | - Lorie-Marlène Brault Foisy
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
| | - Patrice Potvin
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
| | - Hugo G. Lapierre
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Ahr
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
| | | | - Steve Masson
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
| | - Patrick Charland
- Équipe de Recherche en Éducation Scientifique et Technologique (EREST), Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Québec H3C 3P8 HEC, Canada
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Chen Q, Liang X, Peng X, Liu Y, Lei Y, Li H. The modulation of causal contexts in motion processes judgment as revealed by P2 and P3. Biol Psychol 2016; 123:141-154. [PMID: 27836625 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The evoked response potential (ERP) procedure was used to investigate the representation of motion processes in different causal contexts, such as the collision of two squares or the repulsion of two magnets with like poles facing. Participants were required to judge whether each movement was plausible according to the causal context depicted by the cover story. Three main differences after the movement of the second object were found. First, the amplitudes at 70-170ms (N1) and 170-370ms (P2) elicited by a no-contact condition were more negative than a contact condition in the square context, whereas larger N1 and more positive amplitudes at 370-670ms were elicited by a no-contact condition in the magnet context. Second, larger P2 and more positive amplitudes at 370-670ms were elicited by inconsistent direction relative to consistent condition in the square context, whereas smaller N1 and more positive amplitudes at 370-670ms were elicited by inconsistent direction in the magnet context. Finally, larger P2 and more negative amplitudes at 370-470ms were elicited by plausible conditions relative to implausible conditions in a square context, whereas larger N1 and more positive amplitudes at 370-670ms were elicited by plausible conditions in the magnet context. These results suggested that the conceptual knowledge with different causal contexts have distinct effects on the judgment of objects interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfei Chen
- Research Centre for Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China; China Center for Special Economic Zone Research, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Xiuling Liang
- Research Centre for Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Xiaozhe Peng
- Research Centre for Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116829, China
| | - Yi Lei
- Research Centre for Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Hong Li
- Research Centre for Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Center for Language and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen 518057, China
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