Summary Reports

Research Experience Program

Summary Reports - Semester 2, 2022

Do we have limited visual capacity? [Semester 2 update]

  • Background

      It is generally understood that individuals have a limited cognitive capacity, hence an appropriate metric of capacity is necessary for the purpose of measuring capacity allocated to represent different forms of information and the final decision itself. Previous research has shown that the sample size model serves as a fitting metric of capacity that characterises capacity precisely and quantifiably. However recent research has reported ambiguous findings - performance in a visual task was better than what the sample size model predicted. Results on the visual task resembled something closer to a capacity-unlimited process rather than a capacity-limited sample-size process. Hence, the present study attempts to make some changes to the visual task and investigate whether the performance is consistent with the sample size model.

  • Research Questions / Hypotheses

      This study attempts to investigate whether the adapted visual stimuli will demonstrate performance consistent with the predictions of the sample size model.

  • Participants

    Fifty individuals participated in the experiment, however only 13 participants completed all four sessions and presented complete datasets. Thirty-seven participants were excluded from the analysis due to incompleteness of all four sessions.

  • Methods

    This experiment is a four session experiment. Each session takes no longer than one hour. The visual task had two 300ms pedestal intervals with the intensity of colour in the stimuli centre either upwards or downwards. Three different set sizes (1, 2, 4) of offset Gabor patches were presented simultaneously or sequentially in a two-interval, two-alternative forced choice task.

  • Results

    The proportion of correct responses across set size was modelled using two different computational models, namely the sample size model and the power law model. Two participants were excluded from the analysis, so only 11 complete datasets were included in the analysis of model fit. The analysis using AIC found that the sample size model was the preferred model at the group level. In terms of participant-by-participant model comparison, the single exponent power law model best fit the data for 6 out of 11 participants with the exponent fairly close to sample size.

  • Implications

    The findings of our study show that performance across set size was consistent with the predictions of the sample size model. The results of this study will be communicated in the form of an honours thesis and fourth-year conference presentation.

A Study of TikTok Content

  • Background

      TikTok is a video-based social media app that has rapidly gained in popularity in the past 5 years, with approximately 1 billion users worldwide. TikTok is predominantly used by young people. Unlike other forms of social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, TikTok users typically don't select the content that they view. Instead, TikTok users are shown an endless stream of short videos selected for them by the app's algorithm. The video content is hugely varied and may be informative (e.g., places of interest in your city), funny, or artistic, or focus on visual transformations, such as make-up videos, fashion, and fitness. A number of articles and public discussions have centered around the potential psychological consequences of using TikTok. In particular, concerns have been raised around the effects of TikTok use on body image and disordered eating, especially among young people, the app's target demographic. For example, in a Four Corners investigation, 'TikTok: Data mining, discrimination and dangerous content on the world's most popular app', (2021) a young woman described her struggles with recovering from her eating disorder while using TikTok. She described a process where the app presented her with pro-eating disorder content and images of people in eating disorder mental health wards. She found it difficult to change the settings of the app so that she no longer viewed content that reinforced disordered eating behaviours. Her experience has been echoed by others, who describe the app as promoting thin and fit body ideals and harmful dieting and exercise regimens (e.g., see Hobbs et al., 2021).

  • Research Questions / Hypotheses

      The current study aims to discover whether, and in which ways TikTok use is connected to eating disorders and disordered eating symptoms. This study investigated the differences in appearance-based viewing habits between eating disorder and non-eating disorder populations, including whether those with eating disorders were more likely to ‘like’ and comment on appearance-related videos on TikTok, and whether individuals with eating disorders consume a higher percentage of appearance-based content relative to non appearance-related content. We hypothesised that 1) more frequent TikTok use would be associated with more severe eating disorder symptoms, 2) participants with eating disorders would view more appearance-based content, 3) that these individuals would be more likely to ‘like’ and comment on said content, and 4) that individuals with eating disorders would view a higher proportion of appearance-based content compared to individuals without eating disorders.

  • Participants

    29 completed, 11 participant exclusions applied.

  • Methods

    Participants completed a survey based on their TikTok use and body image. Next they requested their TikTok data from the TikTok app. 3 days later they were prompted to check if this data had been downloaded, then email to the study team. Once the data was sent, participants needed to create an account for data analytic page, unforgettable.me

  • Results

    We expect to find results that align with the above hypotheses.

  • Implications

    The study and results will be published via journal. This research serves to inform clinicians, researchers, health workers, and the general public, about the nature of TikTok as it relates to body image and eating disorder symptoms. Eating disorders are a major public health issue - anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental health issue, including depression (Fichter & Quadflieg, 2016). Despite advances in treatment and heightened accessibility to treatment, eating disorder rates are rising in Australia and globally (Galmiche et al., 2019; Paxton et al., 2012). One explanation for this rise is the emphasis placed on body ideals in the media, and the proliferation of social media (Markey, 2004; Stevens & Griffiths, 2020). The knowledge base of how, and for whom, social media impacts body image is growing. However, social media is evolving rapidly, and there is a need for researchers and clinicians to keep pace in order to address the factors that might be contributing to and maintaining eating disorders. For example, effective eating disorder treatments may be undermined if people regularly engage with pro-eating disorder content online (Walstrom, 2000). One social media platform that has received limited empirical attention, and which may pose a particularly high risk to people with eating disorders, is TikTok. The proposed research will provide descriptive information regarding the types of appearance-related content viewed on TikTok, the frequency of appearance-related content, and who is most likely to view such content. We hope that these studies will not only highlight potential risks associated with TikTok use for people's body image but will point to ways of mitigating those risks.

Do visual and auditory signals compete for attention?

  • Background

      The present study investigates the longstanding question of whether visual and auditory WM draws on a single capacity or their own individual capacities. Past research has provided evidence for multiple WM capacities independent of sensory modality, but findings have been inconsistent. The measurement of capacity has also been relatively vague in the past. Therefore, the sample size model, a precise and quantitative model, was used to model the proportion of correct responses as a capacity metric.

  • Research Questions / Hypotheses

      It is hypothesised that if WM is best characterised as a single capacity, the sample size model would better fit the data. Conversely, if WM capacity is best characterised as multiple independent capacities, the independent capacities model would better fit the data.

  • Participants

    Eighteen participants signed up for the study and nine were excluded from the analysis due to incompleteness of both sessions.

  • Methods

    Participants were asked to report what they saw or heard after being presented with a display containing up to two visual and two auditory stimuli. The program informs them whether their response was accurate or inaccurate as they go along. There is a block of training trials at the beginning of the session which allowed participants to get habituated to the stimuli and the expectations of the experiment. Each session takes about 40 to 60 minutes to complete.

  • Results

    The global values of AIC demonstrate that the proportion of correct and incorrect responses predicted by the sample size model had a better fit than the power law model and the independent capacities model. When the AIC values were compared on a participant-by-participant basis, the sample size model better predicted the proportion of correct and incorrect responses compared to the power law model and the independent capacities model for five out of eight participants.

  • Implications

    The findings of our study show that performance across set size was consistent with the predictions of the sample size model which assumes a single WM capacity. That being said, there are still some questions to address in the future such as the role of attention in WM capacity allocation.The results of this study will be communicated in the form of an honours thesis.

Title Responsible Researcher Ethics ID Report Summary
Do we have limited visual capacity? [Semester 2 update] Beatrix Chin 2022-13688-26914-6 Click here
A Study of TikTok Content Grace Whitehead 2022-23072-27499-4 Click here
Do visual and auditory signals compete for attention? Beatrix Yan Teng Chin 2022-13688-26914-6 Click here

Previous Research Experience Programs

  • Reports from Semester 2, 2020
    TitleResponsible ResearcherEthics IDReport Summary
    A Comparison of Cognitive Performance on Smartphone Tasks and Laboratory Tasks Rob Hester 1852588Click here
    A Comparison of Cognitive Performance on Smartphone Tasks and Laboratory Tasks - Semester 2 Update Rob Hester 1852588Click here
    A Comparison of Cognitive Performance on Smartphone Tasks and Laboratory Tasks - Semester 2 Update Rob Hester 1852588Click here
    A Raffle Game Piers Howe 2056265.1Click here
    Attention Over Time Katherine Johnson 2056742.1Click here
    Characterising the learning function in recognition memory (Online study) Lyulei Zhang 1851413.6Click here
    Co-designing a wellbeing self-assessment and self-management resource for university students Sabrina Yusoff 2056507Click here
    Cognition and drug use behaviour in the general population (Continuing Participants) Rob Hester 1954220.2Click here
    Cognition and drug use behaviour in the general population (New Participants) Rob Hester 1954220.2Click here
    Correlates of personality Luke Smillie 2056503.2Click here
    Daily Experiences of Social Connection (Online) Katie Greenaway 2056479.1Click here
    Decision-Making in a Source Memory Task [ONLINE] Philip Smith 1749270.3Click here
    Differences in cognitive processing in multi-cultural individuals (SEMESTER 2) Simon Cropper 1955321.2Click here
    Do individual differences in counting strategy determine arithmetic performance? Jason Forte 2057040.1Click here
    Do people have insight into their cognitive performance after being woken? Jason Forte 2057124.1Click here
    Does source memory exist for unrecognized items? Julian Fox 1851413.7Click here
    Effect of Strength on Response Latency in Free Recall [Online] Adam Osth 1851413.7Click here
    Effect of Strength on Response Latency in Free Recall [Online] Haomin Chen 1851413.7Click here
    Examining why information ‘goes viral’ on social media Simon Laham 2056811.1Click here
    Experiencing urban green spaces Katherine Johnson 2057374.1Click here
    (Online) Exploring adjustment and wellbeing in first-year university students during COVID-19. Adelaide McKenzie 2057376Click here
    Fake or News? Individual Differences in the Detection of Deepfake Videos Simon Cropper 2056732.1Click here
    Family and attitudes concerning sex and reproduction Khandis Blake 2056261.1Click here
    Family composition and attitudes Khandis Blake 2056251.2Click here
    Hit the Bullseye Task (Online Study) Daniel R. Little 2056768.2Click here
    How is recognition memory affected by experimental blocking? Julian Fox 1851413.7Click here
    Investigating the relationships between bivalent fear of evaluation, core beliefs, depression and social anxiety symptoms Lisa Phillips 2057368.2Click here
    Judgment Bias as a Predictor of Individual Differences in Eating, Shape, and Weight Concerns Isabel Krug 2056708Click here
    Key Change: Reframing Perfect Pitch Sarah Wilson 1851930.2Click here
    Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of cancer among healthy adolescents and young adults Nienke Zomerdijk 2056132.1Click here
    Meals, Emotions, and Behaviours (ONLINE) Luke Smillie 1750906.3Click here
    Measurement of Cognitive Performance through Smartphone Tasks [Online/At Home Completion] Rob Hester 1852588Click here
    Measurement of Cognitive Performance through Smartphone Tasks - Semester 2 Update [Online/At Home Completion] Rob Hester 1852588Click here
    Menstrual cycle characteristics and psychology Lindsie Arthur 2056470.1Click here
    Perceptual vs conceptual similarity: Conditions that change how we rate differences between images. Alana Schembri 1953832.2Click here
    Personality, emotionality, and morality Simon Laham 1954985.1Click here
    Personality, experiences and perception Patrick Goodbourn 1955181.2Click here
    Personality, Morality, and Ideology Simon Laham 1954346.3Click here
    Response Times for Complex Decisions Daniel Little 2056156.3Click here
    Semantic Representations in Bilingual Speakers Andrew Perfors 2056695.1Click here
    Social Networks and Eating Behaviours Isabel Krug 2056242.2Click here
    Sustained attention performance and rest breaks Katherine Johnson 1954077.3Click here
    The emotion of words (native English and native-Mandarin speakers) Simon De Deyne 1853258.1Click here
    The International Dimensions of Political Ideology Simon Laham 1954993.2Click here
    The New Power and Responsibility Scales Piers Howe 2056433Click here
    The Online World and Appearance Khandis Blake 2056855Click here
    The Online World and Appearance - Semester 2 update Sarah Zhang 2056855Click here
    Translation Recognition in Mandarin Speakers Simon De Deyne 2056705.1Click here
    University Student Wellbeing Survey (Online) Ron Borland 2056507.1Click here
    Wellbeing and daily life during COVID-19 Brock Bastian 2057511.1Click here
    Wellbeing in Everyday Life Sophie Rachel Yeung 2056532.1Click here
    Word learning and optimality Vanessa Ferdinand 2057397.1Click here
    Word translation norms Dr Simon De Deyne 1954634.1Click here
  • Reports from Semester 1, 2021
    Title Responsible Researcher Ethics ID Report Summary
    Cognition and drug use behaviour in the general population (New Participants) 2021 Robert Hester 1954220 Click here
    Does source memory exist for unrecognized items? Julian Fox 1851413.7 Click here
    Emotion regulation and dietary decision-making Elektra Schubert 2057535.1 Click here
    Emotions in Everyday Life Peter Koval 2021-21316-17151-3 Click here
    How do people schedule multiple tasks? Optimality of human scheduling in typing tasks Daniel Little 2021-13688-15029-4 Click here
    How do we learn to feel safe or threatened? Lisa Phillips 20736 Click here
    Measuring response times in complex decision tasks - Online Study Daniel Little 2021-13688-15029-4 Click here
    Multilingual word ratings Simon De Deyne 12537 Click here
    Perfect enough to sleep? Perfectionism and actigraphy-determined markers of insomnia Susie Oh 1955374 Click here
    Podcasts and Mental Health Lisa Phillips 20331 Click here
    Sleep and day-to-day trauma symptom variability Kim Felmingham 2057760.2 Click here
    Memory for Words: How does the number of remembered words affect memory? (2021 - Online!) Andy Sitoh 1851413.7 Click here
    Attitudes, Personality, and Well-being Prof. Brock Bastian 1954690.1 Click here
    Sleep and Sustained Attention in Adults Katherine Johnson 0 Click here
  • Reports from Semester 2, 2021
    TitleResponsible ResearcherEthics IDReport Summary
    Alcohol Culture in University Residential Colleges: a qualitative study Dr Michelle Jongenelis 2021-21269-17991-4 Click here
    Cognition and drug use behaviour in the general population (New Participants) 2021 Robert Hester 1954220 Click here
    [Online] Effects of Confidence Scale Length on Recognition Accuracy Haomin Chen 12033 Click here
    Concerns about society Kelly Kirkland 21076 Click here
    Error-related Processes and Adaptive Behaviour Change Prof Robert Hester 2056348.1 Click here
    Learning from observing others in pain Natalia Egorova-Brumley 22178 Click here
    Perfect enough to sleep? Perfectionism and actigraphy-determined markers of insomnia Susie Oh 1955374 Click here
    Menstrual cycle characteristics and psychology Khandis Blake 2056470.1 Click here
    How do we learn to feel safe or threatened? Professor Lisa Phillips 20736 Click here
    Human Scheduling and Measuring Response Times in Complex Decision Tasks Daniel Little 2021-13688-15029-4 Click here
    How do people schedule multiple tasks? Optimality of human scheduling in a typing task Daniel Little 2021-13688-15029-4 Click here
    Measuring Basic Need Satisfaction in University Students Dr Chelsea Hyde 21414 Click here
  • Reports from Semester 1, 2022
    TitleResponsible ResearcherEthics IDReport Summary
    Cognition and drug use behaviour in the general populationRobert Hester1954220Click here
    Phenomenal Properties of Positive EmotionOlivia Carter2022-23720-27571-3Click here
    [Online] Effects of Stimulus Type on Recognition AccuracyHaomin Chen12033Click here
    Hormones and PersistenceKhandis Blake21101-17001-3Click here
    How Do Your Relationship Experiences Affect Your Mental Health?Prof Kim Felmingham2022-22474-24833-4Click here
    Population Screening for Perceptual PhenomenaDr. Jason Forte23771Click here
    The Moral ObservationTamanna Taher27777Click here
    Developing a Cognitive Strengths Scale to aid cognitive and functional recoveryPhoebe Howlett2022-22969-26793-4Click here
    How do we learn to feel safe or threatened?Professor Lisa Phillips20736Click here
    The neurobiology of attention, avoidance, and self-appraisal – Study 1Prof Kim L FelminghamHREC.2056265Click here
    The neurobiology of attention, avoidance and self-appraisal - Study 2Prof Kim L FelminghamHREC.2056265Click here
    Things we like: studying preferences in lexical conceptsSimon De Deyne22895Click here
    Emotions and Social BehavioursBrock Bastian2022-22846-26842-5Click here
    Perfect enough to sleep? Perfectionism and actigraphy-determined markers of insomniaSusie Oh1955374Click here
    The Role of Place in Learning and MemoryAssoc Prof Meredith McKague2022-24254-28170-3Click here
    Using Visual Illusions to Determine How Individuals Perceive the PresentHinze HogendoornUsing Visual Illusions to Determine How Individuals Perceive the PresentClick here
    A memory study of people and placesSimon Dennis2021-11962-15791-3Click here
    Real world memory for orderProfessor Simon Dennis2021-11962-15791-3Click here
    Exploring Peri-COVID Music Listening ExperiencesMargaret Osborne23129Click here
    [Online] Can you memorize the images you just encountered? A study of visual recognition memoryAdam Osth12033Click here
    Can you feel it? Individual differences in ASMR and the role of attentionSimon Cropper2022-23911-27844-3Click here
    Do we have limited visual capacity? [ongoing]Beatrix Chin2022-13688-26914-6Click here
    Emotions during Performance TestsDR Elise Kalokerinos23953Click here
    Implications of change or stability in core number capacities for math abilitiesZi Yang Zhan2022-24253-28588-3Click here
    Measuring response time in complex decision tasksAsha Bartlett2022-13688-26914-6Click here
    Measuring responses times in complex decision tasksSandra Takchi1317539Click here
    Personality and AttitudesFinn Nolan2022-24055-28065-3Click here
    The role of rest breaks on focused concentrationAssociate Professor Katherine Johnson2022-23335-26931-5Click here
    Human Memory Processes for Identifying 'When'Prof Simon Dennis2021-11962-15791-5Click here
    Assessing an Attachment Model of Eating BehavioursIsabel Krug22374Click here
    Investigating individual differences in creativity and the extraction of meaningZihui Shou24244.1Click here
    Investigating individual differences in the extraction of meaningSimon Cropper2022-24244-29044-4Click here