Salient Dimensions Research Articles

The interaction between numerical and continuous non-numerical magnitudes in a double change detection paradigm.

In the field of numerical cognition, researchers conventionally assess nonsymbolic numerical abilities with the help of number comparison tasks, in which participants need to compare two arrays. Many studies emphasized that visual (non-numerical) dimensions can serve as strategic cues and influence the decision on numerosity in these tasks. In this study, we suggest the use of a novel paradigm based on the change detection paradigm. Here, participants had to simultaneously pay attention to numerical changes and visual changes on a target non-numerical dimension (individual area, total area, field area, or density). Participants had to detect changes relative to the two dimensions and press response keys indicating either number change or visual change or press both keys. In such a double change detection paradigm, and unlike number comparison tasks, target and covarying dimensions cannot serve as cues to influence the numerical decision. We found that numerical change detection was excellent and stable across the conditions. Further, participants were more likely to falsely consider visual changes as numerical changes than the other way around. Lastly, when both dimensions varied, participants more frequently missed visual changes than numerical changes. Overall, our findings show that numerosity was the most salient visual dimension. From a methodological perspective, such a double change detection paradigm could be of critical interest to assess numerical abilities for future studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Dimension-selective attention and dimensional salience modulate cortical tracking of acoustic dimensions

Some theories of auditory categorization suggest that auditory dimensions that are strongly diagnostic for particular categories - for instance voice onset time or fundamental frequency in the case of some spoken consonants - attract attention. However, prior cognitive neuroscience research on auditory selective attention has largely focused on attention to simple auditory objects or streams, and so little is known about the neural mechanisms that underpin dimension-selective attention, or how the relative salience of variations along these dimensions might modulate neural signatures of attention. Here we investigate whether dimensional salience and dimension-selective attention modulate the cortical tracking of acoustic dimensions. In two experiments, participants listened to tone sequences varying in pitch and spectral peak frequency; these two dimensions changed at different rates. Inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) and amplitude of the EEG signal at the frequencies tagged to pitch and spectral changes provided a measure of cortical tracking of these dimensions. In Experiment 1, tone sequences varied in the size of the pitch intervals, while the size of spectral peak intervals remained constant. Cortical tracking of pitch changes was greater for sequences with larger compared to smaller pitch intervals, with no difference in cortical tracking of spectral peak changes. In Experiment 2, participants selectively attended to either pitch or spectral peak. Cortical tracking was stronger in response to the attended compared to unattended dimension for both pitch and spectral peak. These findings suggest that attention can enhance the cortical tracking of specific acoustic dimensions rather than simply enhancing tracking of the auditory object as a whole.

Topological change induces an interference effect in visual working memory

The “irrelevant-change distracting effect” refers to the effect of changes in irrelevant features on the performance of the target feature, which has frequently been used to study information processing in visual working memory (VWM). In the current study, we reported a novel interference effect in VWM: the topological-change interference effect (TCIE). In a series of six experiments, we examined the influence of topological and nontopological changes as irrelevant features on VWM using a color change detection paradigm. The results revealed that only topological changes, although task irrelevant, could produce a significant interference effect. In contrast, nontopological changes did not produce any evident interference effect. Moreover, the TCIE was a stable and lasting effect, regardless of changes in locations, reporting methods, particular stimulus figures, the other salient feature dimensions and delay interval times. Therefore, our results support the notion that topological invariance that defines perceptual objects plays an essential role in maintaining representations in VWM.

(How Much) Do Temporal Social Comparisons Matter?

Abstract. Moving beyond static perspectives in social comparison theory, Reh and colleagues (2018) provided initial evidence for the relevance of “temporal social comparisons” (i.e., comparing one’s own with others’ past development over time on a salient dimension). Although this research has received wide attention, the study illustrating the authors’ basic rationale (Study 1a) suffered from a small sample size, and its results did not reach conventional significance levels. Thus, we provide a direct, preregistered, and high-powered replication of this study. Our results corroborate the original conclusions, indicating that unfavorable temporal social comparisons evoke social undermining in more (but not less) competitive contexts. These findings reiterate the importance of a dynamic, temporal perspective for a complete understanding of social comparison processes.

On Legitimate Exclusion and Illegitimate inclusion: A Paradox Theory of Inclusion

Inclusion holds numerous benefits, but theory on inclusion suffers from a number of shortcomings regarding its nature and boundary conditions. In conceptualizing inclusion and exclusion as a paradox (i.e. contradictory yet interrelated elements that exist simultaneously), we develop theory on its three dimensions: latency (i.e. including and excluding behaviors), salience (i.e. experiences of inclusion and exclusion), and persistence (i.e. changes in the presence and experience of inclusion and exclusion). By disentangling their latent and salient dimensions, we argue that including and excluding acts and behaviors are complementary and can both be functional and dysfunctional, and legitimate or illegitimate. We further assert that only a fraction of all latent including and excluding behaviors become salient, and advance an understanding of the conditions under which such behaviors are (considered) illegitimate. In subsequently theorizing about the persistence dimension of inclusion and exclusion, we provide insights on the temporal dynamics of inclusion and exclusion, and how including and excluding behaviors and experiences can change over time. Based on our paradox theory of inclusion, we conclude, among others, that inclusion and exclusion can both be beneficial or detrimental, that dialogue is key to fostering inclusion, and that the path towards inclusion requires identity work.

Tools of the Trade?

Problem, research strategy, and findings A growing number of planning researchers and practitioners argue for a shift from mobility-centered transportation planning to an accessibility-focused one. Accessibility is a compelling concept that has proven more difficult to operationalize than mobility, which helps to explain why so many accessibility metrics have been developed for urban research and planning practice. To assess the state of these metrics, we reviewed 54 of them in light of their theoretical basis, data requirements, units of analysis, travel modes and trip purposes accounted for, and potential applications to planning practice. We also reviewed the substantial literature on accessibility measurement and interviewed planning practitioners who are applying accessibility metrics in practice. We find that accessibility theory and measurement has advanced more rapidly than applications in practice. However, a new generation of tools is emerging that may accelerate the move to accessibility planning. Although many of the measures focus on a single travel mode, the number of multimodal metrics is growing. Most of the measures are designed for regional-scale planning and scenario evaluation; only a few to date are intended for project evaluation. Takeaway for practice The 54 accessibility metrics and tools we reviewed vary widely and none stands out as obviously superior for planning practice. Although most calculate the accessibility of places, and many do so reasonably well, we see the most promise in measures of the accessibility of travelers, which can then be aggregated for place-based analyses while still shedding light on how access can vary substantially across different types of travelers. The principal challenge to broadly deploying accessibility analyses in practice in the years ahead is in developing measures that meaningfully measure the many salient dimensions of access, have manageable data requirements, and are understandable to planners, public officials, and community members.

Validation of an Assessment Tool to Measure Psycho-Social Factors Associated With Willingness to Participate in Child-Centered Initiatives

The aim of the paper was the validation of a psychosocial assessment tool for determining willingness to participate in child-centered safety promotion interventions, specifically in a low-income community in South Africa. A study was conducted as part of the initial validation to test the items and format the questionnaire. The instrument was then administered to Afrikaans speaking individuals in a community in the Western Cape. Iterative exploratory factor analysis was conducted at both the item and scale levels to select and reassign items and scales to determine the final composition of the questionnaire. The findings indicate that the instrument measures seven factors, namely incentives; priorities and community needs; perceived benefits; social approval; accessibility and values; altruistic capital; and community cohesion, which represents salient dimensions of the construct willingness to participate in interventions. The questionnaire and its subscales displayed acceptable to good reliability, with Cronbach’s α ranging from .55 to .80. Since willingness precedes actual participation, it is argued that insight into the factors that relate to willingness to participate provides an avenue for motivating actual participation.

Long-term orientation and the passage of time: Is it time to revisit Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are one of the most commonly referenced cultural models in the literature, but it has also been criticized for its inflexibility in terms of allowing for cultural changes over time. In this study, we focus on one salient dimension of national culture, long-term orientation (LTO), to investigate cultural change over time. Using the LTO scale developed by Bearden et al. ((2006) A measure of long-term orientation: development and validation. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 34(3): 456–67), we conducted a survey in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Turkey, and collected 1,452 valid responses. Our study provided new evidence on LTO national ranking and cultural change. We found the countries surveyed no longer appear to be in the same relative positions as when Hofstede first published his results in the 1980s, or his more recent results based on data from the World Value Survey (WVS). Implications for practitioners, academics, and students in the cross-cultural management field are discussed.

E-service quality perceptions of millennials and non-millennials on O2O delivery applications

PurposeThis study attempts to explore major attributes of food delivery applications in consideration of their impacts upon perceived service quality, satisfaction and usage intention. A multi-group analysis is performed to examine the hypothesized relationships in the structural models for the millennials and non-millennials.Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected from 311 food delivery application users. The structural equation model (SEM) was designed to examine the interrelationships among variables.FindingsThe findings indicate that five salient dimensions that include ease of use, facility aesthetics, trustworthiness, value for money and product portfolio have a significant impact on overall service quality. Results further demonstrate that differences in generational difference partially moderate the relationship between each attribute of the food delivery application service quality as well as overall service quality.Originality/valueThe rapid evolution of the Internet and mobile communication has resulted in the proliferation of food delivery applications in China. However, to the best of our knowledge, only a few studies have focused on measuring the key dimension of service quality of food delivery applications.

Financial returns or social impact? What motivates impact investors’ lending to firms in low-income countries

I analyze 70,000 transactions by retail impact investors on a peer-to-peer lending platform that intermediates loans to firms in low-income countries. Loans pay interest to investors and publicize indicators of expected social impact. Financial returns significantly influence investors’ decisions: a one percentage point increase in the interest rate increases funding speed seven-fold, investment probability two-fold and transaction size by 122 Euro. Expected social impact influences investors’ perception but has no influence (for female empowerment, employees and beneficiaries) or limited influence (for turnover) on investors’ funding decisions. When all available loans pay the same interest rates, female borrowers - but not firms with many employees or beneficiaries - are more likely to be chosen, suggesting that variation in financial returns can crowd out salient dimensions of social impact. The study implies that peer-to-peer lending platforms should function as gatekeepers of social impact and cannot outsource the evaluation of social impact to retail impact investors.

Multivariate Analysis and Classification of 146 Odor Character Descriptors

IntroductionSmells can be described by assigning the words that come to mind when sniffing an odorous material. A great number of terms can be applied, but not all of them are independent, and it is possible to establish groups of words often applied together when describing a smell. Such classification of olfactory descriptors is of scientific interest in order to better understand the dimensionality and structure of human olfactory perception space. For this purpose, compilations of olfactory profiles contain valuable information that may lead to certain consensus in odor classification.MethodsOne of the most comprehensive odor databases is the Dravnieks’ Atlas, which contains quantitative olfactory profiles for 160 samples. For each one, a large panel rated the applicability of 146 odor character descriptors on a numeric scale.ResultsBy applying principal component analysis to this Atlas, 105 descriptors were reorganized in 24 classes, and 33 attributes were considered as odors intermediate of two or three categories. The similarities between classes were studied by means of a further multivariate analysis based on latent variables, which provides valuable information about the most salient dimensions of odor space.ConclusionsConsistent with other reported statistical analyses of olfactory databases, the perceptual space of odor character is multidimensional with about 20–30 dimensions, and it is better described as a continuum spectrum rather than as a segmented space.ImplicationsAttempts to classify all possible odor descriptors in a restricted number of classes appear to be inappropriate. Instead, 24 categories of related terms are proposed here, regarding the rest as intermediate smells, assuming that olfactory classes are not independent and follow certain hierarchy according to particular underlying dimensions.

The effect of dimensional reinforcement prediction on discrimination of compound visual stimuli by pigeons.

We trained eight pigeons (Columba livia) on a stagewise go/no-go visual discrimination task. A total of 16 visual stimuli were created from all possible combinations of four binary dimensions: brightness (dark/bright), size (large/small), line orientation (vertical/horizontal), and shape (circle/square). In the first stage, we presented S + and four S- stimuli: sharing one (brightness), two (brightness and orientation), three (brightness, orientation, and size), or no dimensional values with S + . In the second stage, all 16 stimuli were presented. In the first stage, stimulus discrimination was controlled by the number of dimensional disparities between non-rewarded stimuli and a rewarded one rather than by stimulus dimensional salience, whereas at the beginning of the second stage, pigeon behaviour was controlled mainly by dimensional reinforcement expectancy learned in the first stage. At the beginning of the second stage, pigeons correctly rejected 6-8 of 11 new added S- stimuli. A significant inverse correlation between the number of S- stimuli sharing dimension values with S + in the first stage and the dimensional discrimination ratios at the beginning of the second stage was found.

Introduction

France is an overwhelmingly majority-White nation. Yet the French majority is reluctant to identify as White, and French social science has tended to eschew Whiteness as an object of inquiry. Inspired by critical race theory and critical Whiteness studies, this interdisciplinary special issue offers a new look at White identities in France. It does so not to recenter Whiteness by giving it prominence, but to expose and critique White dominance. This introduction examines the global and local dimensions of Whiteness, before identifying three salient dimensions of its French version: the ideology of the race-blind universalist republic; the past and present practice of French colonialism, slavery, and rule across overseas territories; and the racialization of people of Muslim or North African backgrounds as non-White.

Who to find to endorse? Evaluation of online influencers among young consumers and its implications for effective influencer marketing

PurposeThis study aims to identify the dimensions used by young consumers to evaluate effective online influencers; determine the impact of demographic segmentation – that is, gender, behavioral segmentation and whether young consumers often follow the advice of online influencers to make a purchase – on the evaluative dimensions. The results will inform advertisers regarding the types of online influencers that they should feature to endorse their products to create desirable promotion effects.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a multistage method. This study first conducted eight focus groups with 48 participants between 18 and 24 years of age to explore their evaluation of online influencers. This study then conducted a survey with a questionnaire developed from the focus group results. This study used convenience sampling and administered the questionnaire to 475 participants (mean age, 19.5 years).FindingsThe results of factor analysis revealed seven dimensions used by young consumers to evaluate online influencers. The most salient dimensions were credibility, appearance and content production techniques. The results of t-testing also show that gender and behavioral segmentation variables had an impact on these evaluative dimensions in the four tested product categories.Practical implicationsThis study provides advertisers with a set of criteria to select appropriate online influencers in various advertising settings, such as the promotion of gender-specific products, and in various product categories that target young consumer markets.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the dimensions used by young consumers to evaluative online influencers in relation to product endorsement.

Exploring Salience as a Strategic Disposition in Kenya

Drawing from the socio-cognitive theory and upper echelon theory, we examined the relationship between salience and competitiveness by surveying 163 managers from leather and textile firms in Kenya. We used three dimensions of salience: impact, sensitivity and interest and measured competitiveness using both efficiency, such as profit; and effectiveness measures such as innovation. We found a significant relationship between all the dimensions of salience and competiveness (Impact: r = .250, p = .001; Sensitivity: r = .436, p < .001; Interest: r = .416, p < .001; Salience: r = .427, p <.001). Further, sensitivity significantly influenced the odds for competitiveness at 5% level of significance (sensitivity: exp (B) = 2.435, Wald = 4.191, p = .041); impact had the least negative and insignificant (exp (B) = .693, p = .444) prediction of the odds for competiveness. These findings suggest that the factors that are considered by managers of organizations as impactful, of interest and which managers perceived as sensitive have implications for competitiveness. It is recommended that managers enhance their cognitive capacity with regard to salience to be able to perceive and interpret environmental cues and use these to make appropriate strategic decisions to improve their competitiveness.

The Sound of Smell: Associating Odor Valence With Disgust Sounds.

Olfaction has recently been highlighted as a sense poorly connected with language. Odor is difficult to verbalize, and it has few qualities that afford mimicry by vision or sound. At the same time, emotion is thought to be the most salient dimension of an odor, and it could therefore be an olfactory dimension more easily communicated. We investigated whether sounds imitative of an innate disgust response can be associated with unpleasant odors. In two experiments, participants were asked to make a forced choice between a pseudoword including a disgust sound and a neutral pseudoword, for pleasant and unpleasant odors. Overall, participants chose more disgust pseudowords than neutral pseudowords for unpleasant odors, but this was not the case for pleasant odors. This effect was not driven by a general association between unpleasant sounds and unpleasant odors, but specifically the sounds [x/χ] and [f], thought to reflect physical responses to disgusting odors, as seen in the Polish fu! or the English ugh!. In line with growing evidence that language can encode odor, we provide the first experimental evidence for an association between the sound of a word and odor valence.

Building blocks of financial inclusion through customer experience value at financial touchpoints in Southern Africa

PurposeThis paper aims to examine customer experience value orchestrated by non-banks' financial touchpoints to understand how they enhance the financial inclusion of low-income consumers.Design/methodology/approachTwo independent but related studies were conducted using qualitative comparative analyses (QCA) research design with semi-structured interviews to compare and contrast customer experience value at two rural locations in Southern Africa. The interview transcripts were analysed using ATLAS.ti, which is a powerful operating system for analysing qualitative data.FindingsThe results indicate that non-banks in the two countries design financial services that include functional, economic, humanic, social and mechanic customer experience value dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsThe data for this study was collected from financial services customers of retailers and mobile phone network operators in only one research setting in each country. Further research could extend the comparative context for qualitative studies across similar markets. Other limitations are discussed in the paper.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the body of knowledge by highlighting the salient and germane dimensions and components found to be important in understanding financial inclusion using customer experience value. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that incorporates customer experience value dimensions in understanding the financial inclusion of low-income consumers at the base of the social and economic pyramid in emerging markets.

Mechanisms of Brain Network Dysfunction

Understanding the biological basis of psychiatric conditions is challenging in light of the marked complexity of brain anatomy and physiology. One particularly salient dimension of that complexity is the pattern of connectivity between areas, which constrains the propagation of activity and the transmission of information. Over the past several years, tools from graph theory and network science have proven useful in formalizing the study of brain connectivity in humans. That formalization offers statistical descriptions of how connectivity differs between individuals and varies dimensionally in a manner that cuts across traditional diagnostic boundaries. Yet, pressing beyond descriptions to mechanisms of psychiatric disease remains difficult. Here I will describe recent advances at the intersection of network science and control theory that are beginning to provide notable insights into the mechanisms of brain network function and its alteration in psychiatric conditions. I will conclude with a discussion of future directions bridging network models of brain and behavior to further the goals of computational psychiatry: improving the understanding, prediction, and treatment of mental illness.

Elsewhere and Otherwise

Abstract This text introduces the symposium on Fredric Jameson’s Allegory and Ideology (2019), the second volume in his six-part The Poetics of Social Forms. It frames the debate with a brief exploration of some of the figures and problems of allegory that appear across Jameson’s œuvre, and surveys some of the Marxist conceptualisations of allegory that have shaped Jameson’s approach, as it straddles allegories of the commodity and allegories of utopia. The musical investigation of the nexus of allegory and affect, and the presentation of political allegory as primarily concerned with the disjunction between (national and international) levels are also touched upon as salient dimensions of Jameson’s theorising.

The contribution of ethnography to epigenomics research: toward a new bio-ethnography for addressing health disparities.

This article describes ethnography as a research method and outlines how it excels in capturing the salient experiences of individuals among diverse communities in their own words. We argue that the integration of ethnographic findings into epigenomics will significantly improve disparities-focused study designs within environmental epigenomics by identifying and contextualizing the most salient dimensions of the 'environment' that are affecting local communities. Reciprocally, epigenetic findings can enhance anthropological understanding of human biological variation and embodiment. We introduce the term bio-ethnography to refer to research designs that integrate both of these methodologies into a single research project. Emphasis is given in this article, through the use ofcase studies, to socially disadvantaged communities that are often under-represented in scientific literature. The paper concludes with preliminary recommendations for how ethnographic methods can be integrated into epigenomics research designs in order to elucidate the manner in which disadvantage translates into disparities in the burden of illness.