During the past 25 years, the field of space and motion perception has rapidly advanced. Once thought to be distinct perceptual modes, space and motion are now thought to be closely linked. Perception of Space andMotion provides a comprehensive review of perception and vision research literature, including new developments in the use of sound and touch in perceiving space and motion. Other topics include the perception of structure from motion, spatial layout,and information obtained in static and dynamic stimulation.Spatial layoutStructure from motionInformation on static and dynamic stimulation (visual, acoustic, and haptic)
Originally published in 1987, this title aimed to present an eclectic and biased account of the status of perception-action relationships in various fields at the time. The chapters can be divided into three sections. The first focuses on motor control, a neglected topic in the past and hence deserving the role of the starting point of this volume. In addition motor control provides a good background to discuss the clear sensory and perceptual effects. However, motor processes are also highly relevant to perception, which was usually less emphasized in the literature at the time. Therefore a special section is devoted to motor processes in perception together with the issue of integrating information from different sources. The book concludes with a section on attention and selection of perceptual information for subsequent action.
The world shows up for us—it is present in our thought and perception. But, as Alva Noë contends in his latest exploration of the problem of consciousness, it doesn’t show up for free. The world is not simply available; it is achieved rather than given. As with a painting in a gallery, the world has no meaning—no presence to be experienced—apart from our able engagement with it. We must show up, too, and bring along what knowledge and skills we’ve cultivated. This means that education, skills acquisition, and technology can expand the world’s availability to us and transform our consciousness. Although deeply philosophical, Varieties of Presence is nurtured by collaboration with scientists and artists. Cognitive science, dance, and performance art as well as Kant and Wittgenstein inform this literary and personal work of scholarship intended no less for artists and art theorists, psychologists, cognitive scientists, and anthropologists than for philosophers. Noë rejects the traditional representational theory of mind and its companion internalism, dismissing outright the notion that conceptual knowledge is radically distinct from other forms of practical ability or know-how. For him, perceptual presence and thought presence are species of the same genus. Both are varieties of exploration through which we achieve contact with the world. Forceful reflections on the nature of understanding, as well as substantial examination of the perceptual experience of pictures and what they depict or model are included in this far-ranging discussion.
Historical background of motion picture testing and research; The use of motion pictures in the design of psychological tests; Technique of construction of motion picture tests; The presentation of motion picture tests and other films requiring activity by the group; Aptitude tests; Proficiency tests; Research on the recognition of aircraft; Pictures as substitutes for visual realities; Perception and judgment of aerial space and distance as potential factors in pilot selection and training; The instructional techniques peculiar to motion pictures.
The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."
Numerous spatial biases influence navigation, interactions, and preferences in our environment. This volume considers their influences on perception and memory.
Since the days of Galileo, time has been a fundamental variable in scientific attempts to understand the natural world. Once the first recordings of electrical activity in the brain had been made, it became clear that electrical signals from the brain consist of very complex temporal patterns. This can now be demonstrated by recordings at the single unit level and by electroencephalography (EEG). Time and the Brain explores modern approaches to these temporal aspects of electrical brain activity. The temporal structure as revealed from trains of impulses from single nerve cells and from EEG recordings are discussed in depth together with an exploration of correlations with behaviour and psychology. The single cell and EEG approaches often tend to be segregated as the research occurs in laboratories in different parts of the world. By bringing together modern information acquired using both methods it is hoped that they can become better integrated as complimentary windows on the information processing achieved by the brain.
This book is based on a two-day symposium at the Paris Institute of Advanced Study titled "space-time geometries and movement in the brain and the arts". It includes over 20 chapters written by the leading scientists and artists who presented their related research studies at the symposium and includes six sections; the first three focus on space-time geometries in perception, action and memory while the last three focus on specific artistic domains: drawing and painting, dance, music, digital arts and robotics. The book is accompanied by a dedicated webpage including related images and videos. There is an ever-growing interest in the topics covered by this book. Space and time are of fundamental importance for our understanding of human perception, action, memory and cognition, and are entities which are equally important in physics, biology, neuroscience and psychology. Highly prominent scientists and mathematicians have expressed their belief that our bodies and minds shape the ways we perceive space and time and the physical laws we formulate. Understanding how the brain perceives motion and generates -bodily movements is of great significance. There is also growing interest in studying how space, time and movement subserve artistic creations in different artistic modalities (e.g., fine arts, digital and performing arts and music). This interest is inspired by the idea that artists make intuitive use of the principles and simplifying strategies used by the brain in movement generation and perception. Building upon new understanding of the spatio-temporal geometries subserving movement generation and perception by the brain we can start exploring how artists make use of such neuro --geometrical and neuro-dynamic representations in order to express artistic concepts and emotionally affect the human observers and listeners. Scientists have also started formulating new ideas of how aesthetic judgements emerge from the principles and brain mechanisms subserving motor control and motion perception. Covering novel and multidisciplinary topics, this advanced book will be of interest to neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, artificial intelligence and robotics experts, students and artists.