The nature of self-recognition: novel approaches to vexing questions. Mirror self-recognition has often been interpreted as evidence for the presence of some form of self-concept/awareness. Children from age 2 onwards investigate their own bodies after seeing a novel mark on their heads in the mirror (surreptitiously placed in their hair by the experimenter). Younger children and most animals do not respond to their images in such a way (instead, for example, treating it as another individual). ....The nature of self-recognition: novel approaches to vexing questions. Mirror self-recognition has often been interpreted as evidence for the presence of some form of self-concept/awareness. Children from age 2 onwards investigate their own bodies after seeing a novel mark on their heads in the mirror (surreptitiously placed in their hair by the experimenter). Younger children and most animals do not respond to their images in such a way (instead, for example, treating it as another individual). The present experiments probe the nature of self-recognition using novel digital video technology rather than mirrors. This technology allows us to manipulate the contingency and appearance of the image. Five studies investigate the performance of 2 to 4-year-old children, autistic children, chimpanzees and dolphins to determine whether they recognize themselves and what underwrites their performance on the tasks. The innovative use of modern technology is expected to answer some of the most persistent questions in psychology.
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Probing cross modal interactions in the perception of object motion and self-motion. How the brain integrates information from the different senses is not yet understood. This project aims first, to uncover how the brain integrates sound and visual information when perceiving moving objects and second, to probe more complex sensory interactions between sound, vision, and our vestibular senses when perceiving self-motion. This project will expand Australia's knowledge base, strengthen collabora ....Probing cross modal interactions in the perception of object motion and self-motion. How the brain integrates information from the different senses is not yet understood. This project aims first, to uncover how the brain integrates sound and visual information when perceiving moving objects and second, to probe more complex sensory interactions between sound, vision, and our vestibular senses when perceiving self-motion. This project will expand Australia's knowledge base, strengthen collaborative ties between Australia and Japan, and provide unique training opportunities for Australian and Japanese students. Publication of research in top-ranking journals will further promote Australian science abroad. Results will lead to improvements in the design of human-machine interfaces in both industry and entertainment.Read moreRead less
A formal signal detection model of eyewitness identification. The project aims to aid in producing better procedures for the collection and assessment of eyewitness identification evidence. In a police line-up, a witness is asked to identify a perpetrator from a group of similar individuals. Applied research has focused on conditions that optimise witness performance but many of the conclusions from this research have been challenged on the basis that they use inappropriate measures of performan ....A formal signal detection model of eyewitness identification. The project aims to aid in producing better procedures for the collection and assessment of eyewitness identification evidence. In a police line-up, a witness is asked to identify a perpetrator from a group of similar individuals. Applied research has focused on conditions that optimise witness performance but many of the conclusions from this research have been challenged on the basis that they use inappropriate measures of performance. Recent work has highlighted the usefulness of analyses based on the theory of signal detection. However, the line-up task does not fit easily within standard signal detection paradigms as it combines two tasks; detection and identification. The project aims to understand how these components work in order to measure witness performance.Read moreRead less
Keeping track: The effect of distraction on attention to moving objects. This is basic research with broad societal implications. We constantly balance the attention demands of achieving a goal (e.g., driving) in the midst of competing environmental demands (e.g., attention-grabbing advertising). Billions of dollars are spent trying to make our roads safer, but basic research is critical to inform policy and design. There are three main benefits in identifying distractions that impair performanc ....Keeping track: The effect of distraction on attention to moving objects. This is basic research with broad societal implications. We constantly balance the attention demands of achieving a goal (e.g., driving) in the midst of competing environmental demands (e.g., attention-grabbing advertising). Billions of dollars are spent trying to make our roads safer, but basic research is critical to inform policy and design. There are three main benefits in identifying distractions that impair performance on a task that requires attention to moving objects. It will: (1) develop a method for exploring attention demands on real-world experiences (e.g., driving); (2) inform policy decisions on safer environments; and (3) provide a basis for minimising distractions in environments for people with attentional difficulties.Read moreRead less
Mental imagery and visual working memory. Remembering information “in mind” is severely limited by restrictions in capacity, duration and precision. The limits on capacity and precision in visual working memory remain unclear. Likewise, the search for the neural correlates of visual working memory has produced conflicting results. This proposal will show that the limits in precision, capacity and the neural correlates of visual working memory are driven by visual mental imagery. By showing that ....Mental imagery and visual working memory. Remembering information “in mind” is severely limited by restrictions in capacity, duration and precision. The limits on capacity and precision in visual working memory remain unclear. Likewise, the search for the neural correlates of visual working memory has produced conflicting results. This proposal will show that the limits in precision, capacity and the neural correlates of visual working memory are driven by visual mental imagery. By showing that mental imagery is the missing link to a comprehensive understanding of working memory, This project will show that mental imagery strength limits how much visual information can be held "in mind”. This work will unify two heated scientific debates and produce a complete map of working memory.Read moreRead less
From fluid intelligence to crystallised expertise: an integrative Bayesian approach. Intelligence is correlated with learning but uncorrelated with most aspects of expertise. Why is this so? Why does the role of intelligence diminish as one becomes more expert at a task? This project examines a broad range of cognitive tasks to provide a concise mathematical description of how intelligence relates to expertise.
Poor social functioning in schizophrenia: understanding its causes and developing better treatments. This project will advance knowledge of the thinking processes and the associated neural changes that cause the lifelong social disability which characterises schizophrenia. Findings will, in turn, contribute to better identifying young people, at risk of developing schizophrenia, and inform the design of new interventions and treatments.
Moral reasoning and mental illness: towards a model of moral judgment and moral accountability. This research examines capacities for moral judgment in people with schizophrenia, some of whom act on their delusional beliefs and commit crimes. Findings will, in turn, inform legal and philosophical consideration of the moral accountability of mentally ill defendants, and advance theoretical knowledge of healthy moral decision making.
Electrophysiological correlates of verbal and visuospatial working memory. Successful interaction with the world is dependent on "working memory". This memory system holds things in mind, while relating them to the past and planning for the future. A carefully controlled task, presented on a computer screen, systematically increases the number of items to be kept in mind. Accuracy and speed of matching the items are measured. The results will contribute to a theory of what processes are used ....Electrophysiological correlates of verbal and visuospatial working memory. Successful interaction with the world is dependent on "working memory". This memory system holds things in mind, while relating them to the past and planning for the future. A carefully controlled task, presented on a computer screen, systematically increases the number of items to be kept in mind. Accuracy and speed of matching the items are measured. The results will contribute to a theory of what processes are used in working memory and how the human brain manages these processes.Read moreRead less
Yours and mine: development of the concept of ownership in typical children and those on the autism spectrum. From an early age we know what belongs to us and what does not - we intend to find out how our behaviours keep pace with this evolving knowledge. More important for society, we will find out if behaviours and concepts are qualitatively different in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), causing problems with social interactions.