scholarly journals Young chicks rely on perceptual grouping to discriminate prime numbers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Loconsole ◽  
Massimo De Agro ◽  
Lucia Regolin
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Perceptual Grouping ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Prime Numbers ◽  
Novelty Preference ◽  
Perceptual Strategy ◽  
Young Chicks

Grouping sets of elements into smaller, equal-sized, subsets constitutes a perceptual strategy employed by humans and other animals to enhance cognitive performance. We hypothesized that asymmetrical grouping, a characteristic of prime numbers, could provide visual cues enabling discrimination of prime from non-prime numerosities. Newborn chicks were habituated to even numerosities (as sets of elements presented on a screen), and then tested for their spontaneous choice among a prime and a non-prime odd numerosity. Chicks discriminated and preferred the prime over the composite set of elements. We discuss this result in terms of novelty preference. By employing different contrasts (i.e., 7vs.9, 11vs.9, and 13vs.15) we investigated the limits of such mechanism showing that induced grouping positively affects chicks' performance.

scholarly journals Young chicks rely on symmetry/asymmetry in perceptual grouping to discriminate sets of elements

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1957) ◽  
pp. 20211570
Author(s):  
Maria Loconsole ◽  
Massimo De Agrò ◽  
Lucia Regolin
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Perceptual Grouping ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
Novelty Preference ◽  
Perceptual Strategy ◽  
Young Chicks

Grouping sets of elements into smaller, equal-sized, subsets constitutes a perceptual strategy employed by humans and other animals to enhance cognitive performance. Here, we show that day-old chicks can solve extremely complex numerical discriminations (Exp.1), and that their performance can be enhanced by the presence of symmetrical/asymmetrical colour grouping (Exp.2 versus Exp.3). Newborn chicks were habituated for 1 h to even numerosities (sets of elements presented on a screen) and then tested for their spontaneous choice among what for humans would be considered a prime and a non-prime odd numerosity. Chicks discriminated and preferred the prime over the composite set of elements irrespective of its relative magnitude (i.e. 7 versus 9 and 11 versus 9). We discuss this result in terms of novelty preference. By employing a more complex contrast (i.e. 13 versus 15), we investigated the limits of such a mechanism and showed that induced grouping positively affects chicks' performance. Our results suggest the existence of a spontaneous mechanism that enables chicks to create symmetrical (i.e. same-sized) subgroups of sets of elements. Chicks preferentially inspected numerosities for which same-sized grouping is never possible (i.e. the prime numerosity) rather than numerosities allowing for symmetrical grouping (i.e. composite).

scholarly journals High Cognitive Load Situations Decrease Both Gait and Cognitive Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 299-299
Author(s):  
Hyeon Jung Kim ◽  
Farahnaz Fallahtafti ◽  
Jennifer Yentes ◽  
Dawn Venema ◽  
Julie Blaskewicz Boron
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Attentional Demands ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Load Types

Abstract A high cognitive load situation (HCLS) is completing two or more tasks simultaneously (i.e. walking while talking). Differential allocation of attentional demands creates HCLS, potentially deteriorating cognitive and/or gait performance, impacting fall risk. This study investigated whether different load types [(Single-task (ST): talking/walking only, and HCLS: walking while talking on a phone)] impacted gait and cognitive performance among young (n=8; age=23.16±1.96yrs), middle-aged (n=14; age=44.79±7.42yrs), and older (n=15; age=74.47±3.91yrs) adults. In 3-minute trials, participants completed single-task walking (ST-W) and phone conversations with easy (e.g., favorite food, ST-E) and difficult (e.g., personal relationships, ST-D) topics, and also combined walking and talking (easy: HCLS-E and difficult: HCLS-D). For gait, speed, step length (SL) and stride width (SW) were analyzed with 3(ST-W, HCLS-E, HCLS-D) x 3(Age) repeated-measures ANOVAs. HCLS resulted in slower speed (p <.001, shorter SL (p <.001), and wider SW (p=.008) across groups. Older adults exhibited shorter SL across walking conditions (p=.002) compared to young and middle-aged. For cognition, Word Count (WC) and Authenticity (i.e. honesty) were analyzed with 2(Evs.D) x 2(STvs.HCLS) x 3(Age) repeated-measures ANOVAs. Main effects emerged for conversation topic in WC (p=.04) and Authenticity (p<.001); difficult topics negatively impacted participants’ cognitive performance, likely resulting from higher attention to maintain conversations without personal interactions (i.e. visual cues). Marginal age-group differences (p=.056) revealed older age resulted in less authentic conversations. The HCLS in this study negatively impacted gait and cognitive performance. Understanding this relationship may ultimately inform development of interventions to improve allocation of attentional demands, potentially mitigating fall risk.

Gains and losses of watching audio described films for sighted viewers

Target ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Perego
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Scene Recognition ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Blind People ◽  
Audiovisual Material ◽  
Unique Form ◽  
Audio Description ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Viewing Experience

Abstract Audio description (AD) is a unique form of communication that guarantees access to audiovisual material for blind people through an additional verbal commentary that describes relevant visual cues. In spite of its original purpose and target audience, some scholars and some guidelines maintain that AD can be useful for other sectors of the population, and suggest that sighted viewers could usefully listen to AD when ‘watching’ a film with blind people. In order to determine whether AD affects the sighted viewer’s cognitive performance and appreciation of the film, and whether AD can be exploited as an integration tool allowing blind and sighted users to mingle when ‘watching’ a film, we assessed the effect of AD on sighted viewers (n = 125, 18-28 years) empirically. Results suggest that the addition of AD to films does not negatively affect the cognitive aspects of the viewing experience (i.e., general understanding and film scene recognition), nor does it dramatically affect its overall enjoyment, whereas listening to AD without the visuals poses some challenges to sighted viewers.

Supporting the Use of Rudimentary Vocalizations

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Zubow ◽  
Richard Hurtig
Keyword(s):  
Rett Syndrome ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Multiple Modalities ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Perceptual Judgments ◽  
The Face

Children with Rett Syndrome (RS) are reported to use multiple modalities to communicate although their intentionality is often questioned (Bartolotta, Zipp, Simpkins, & Glazewski, 2011; Hetzroni & Rubin, 2006; Sigafoos et al., 2000; Sigafoos, Woodyatt, Tuckeer, Roberts-Pennell, & Pittendreigh, 2000). This paper will present results of a study analyzing the unconventional vocalizations of a child with RS. The primary research question addresses the ability of familiar and unfamiliar listeners to interpret unconventional vocalizations as “yes” or “no” responses. This paper will also address the acoustic analysis and perceptual judgments of these vocalizations. Pre-recorded isolated vocalizations of “yes” and “no” were presented to 5 listeners (mother, father, 1 unfamiliar, and 2 familiar clinicians) and the listeners were asked to rate the vocalizations as either “yes” or “no.” The ratings were compared to the original identification made by the child's mother during the face-to-face interaction from which the samples were drawn. Findings of this study suggest, in this case, the child's vocalizations were intentional and could be interpreted by familiar and unfamiliar listeners as either “yes” or “no” without contextual or visual cues. The results suggest that communication partners should be trained to attend to eye-gaze and vocalizations to ensure the child's intended choice is accurately understood.

Effects of a Group Program to Increase Cognitive Performance Through Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities in Healthy Older Subjects

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Group Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Older Subjects

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.

Caffeine and Placebo Expectation

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfeng Sun ◽  
Yinling Zhang ◽  
Ning He ◽  
Xufeng Liu ◽  
Danmin Miao
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cardiovascular Regulation ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Pressure Tests ◽  
Healthy Males

Abstract. Caffeine placebo expectation seems to improve vigilance and cognitive performance. This study investigated the effect of caffeine and placebo expectation on vigilance and cognitive performance during 28 h sleep deprivation. Ten healthy males volunteered to take part in the double-blind, cross-over study, which required participants to complete five treatment periods of 28 h separated by 1-week wash-out intervals. The treatments were no substance (Control); caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 (C200); placebo 200 mg at 00:00 (P200); twice caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 and 04:00 (C200-C200); caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 and placebo 200 mg at 04:00 (C200-P200). Participants were told that all capsules were caffeine and given information about the effects of caffeine to increase expectation. Vigilance was assessed by a three-letter cancellation test, cognitive functions by the continuous addition test and Stroop test, and cardiovascular regulation by heart rate and blood pressure. Tests were performed bihourly from 00:00 to 10:00 of the second day. Results indicated that C200-P200 and C200-C200 were more alert (p < .05) than Control and P200. Their cognitive functions were higher (p < .05) than Control and P200. Also, C200-P200 scored higher than C200 in the letter cancellation task (p < .05). No test showed any significant differences between C200-P200 and C200-C200. The results demonstrated that the combination of caffeine 200 mg and placebo 200 mg expectation exerted prolonged positive effects on vigilance and cognitive performance.

The Relation Between Aerobic Fitness and Cognitive Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Hao Wang ◽  
Chun-Ming Shih ◽  
Chia-Liang Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Brain Potentials ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Eeg Data ◽  
Attention Performance ◽  
P3 Amplitude ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. This study aimed to assess whether brain potentials have significant influences on the relationship between aerobic fitness and cognition. Behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) data was collected from 48 young adults when performing a Posner task. Higher aerobic fitness is related to faster reaction times (RTs) along with greater P3 amplitude and shorter P3 latency in the valid trials, after controlling for age and body mass index. Moreover, RTs were selectively related to P3 amplitude rather than P3 latency. Specifically, the bootstrap-based mediation model indicates that P3 amplitude mediates the relationship between fitness level and attention performance. Possible explanations regarding the relationships among aerobic fitness, cognitive performance, and brain potentials are discussed.

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