Papers by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, 2015
Sex differences in self-reported homonegativity is prevalent in past research, yet unexplained. W... more Sex differences in self-reported homonegativity is prevalent in past research, yet unexplained. We examined possible factors associated with sex differences in overall homonegativity. Heterosexuals self-reported on scales including variables of differential exposure to homosexuals, disgust sensitivity, and reporting biases. Males consistently expressed more negative attitudes toward homosexuals, especially gay men. Many variables were significantly correlated with overall homonegativity and revealed significant sex differences, however, unconvincingly. Self-report measures may lack validity, not always capturing peoples true attitudes. Utilizing a new paradigm of implicit cognitive systems may be more worthwhile in explaining social psychological representations of the abstract cognitive construct of prejudice/stereotyping.
Frontiers in neuroscience, 2017
Converging evidence suggests that human cognition and behavior emerge from functional brain netwo... more Converging evidence suggests that human cognition and behavior emerge from functional brain networks interacting on local and global scales. We investigated two information-theoretic measures of functional brain segregation and integration-interaction complexity C I (X), and integration I(X)-as applied to electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and how these measures are affected by choice of EEG reference. CI(X) is a statistical measure of the system entropy accounted for by interactions among its elements, whereas I(X) indexes the overall deviation from statistical independence of the individual elements of a system. We recorded 72 channels of scalp EEG from human participants who sat in a wakeful resting state (interleaved counterbalanced eyes-open and eyes-closed blocks). CI(X) and I(X) of the EEG signals were computed using four different EEG references: linked-mastoids (LM) reference, average (AVG) reference, a Laplacian (LAP) "reference-free" transformation, and an in...
2015 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (IPCC), 2015
Preprint of the TMS-EEG manuscript that investigated natural frequencies.
The pacemaker-counter model (PCM) has been the core architecture of scalar expectancy theory for ... more The pacemaker-counter model (PCM) has been the core architecture of scalar expectancy theory for decades. PCM assumes the same timing mechanism applies to every stimulus input, regardless of modality, and has been used to explain differences between perceived durations. In violation, previous studies demonstrate a robust effect of memory-mixing, occurring when the memory trace of a previous time interval influences perception of upcoming ones. We examined the influence of unexpected modality for a trained duration on temporal reproduction, using auditory/visual stimuli with short/long (500/1000ms) standard durations—testing the PCM pure ‘clock speed’ prediction against the memory-mixing account. Here, we report different outcomes of unexpected modality on time reproduction based on modality assignments with specific intervals. When the short interval was trained with an auditory stimulus, and long interval with a visual stimulus, unexpected presence of the opposite modality led to a...
IEEE, Jul 1, 2015
Scholars have argued that compared to text and tables, graphs and other visuals (or “inscriptions... more Scholars have argued that compared to text and tables, graphs and other visuals (or “inscriptions”) are a more advanced form of communication than ordinary prose and that the widespread use of graphs in the sciences contributes to the authority of scientific discourse. Research from the early 1980s identified only a few types of inscriptions that accounted for the vast use of visual communication in scientific communication. Yet with advances in production and publishing technology, the potential for use of inscriptions in professional discourse has increased. Therefore, we decided to revisit the question regarding the type and frequency of inscriptions used in scientific discourse. Based on a content analysis of 1,326 inscriptions from 43 research articles in the journal Science, we found that representational visuals, such as graphs and diagrams, are “high-use” inscriptions. Photograph and instrument output, which are reproductions of scientific evidence rather than transformation...
Cerebral Cortex Communications
Previous studies have linked brain oscillation and timing, with evidence suggesting that alpha os... more Previous studies have linked brain oscillation and timing, with evidence suggesting that alpha oscillations (10 Hz) may serve as a “sample rate” for the visual system. However, direct manipulation of alpha oscillations and time perception has not yet been demonstrated. To test this, we had 18 human subjects perform a time generalization task with visual stimuli. Additionally, we had previously recorded resting-state EEG from each subject and calculated their individual alpha frequency (IAF), estimated as the peak frequency from the mean spectrum over posterior electrodes between 8 and 13 Hz. Participants first learned a standard interval (600 ms) and were then required to judge if a new set of temporal intervals were equal or different compared with that standard. After learning the standard, participants performed this task while receiving occipital transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS). Crucially, for each subject, tACS was administered at their IAF or at off-peak al...
Cerebral Cortex Communications
Previous studies have linked brain oscillation and timing, with evidence suggesting that alpha os... more Previous studies have linked brain oscillation and timing, with evidence suggesting that alpha oscillations (10 Hz) may serve as a “sample rate” for the visual system. However, direct manipulation of alpha oscillations and time perception has not yet been demonstrated. To test this, we had 18 human subjects perform a time generalization task with visual stimuli. Additionally, we had previously recorded resting-state EEG from each subject and calculated their individual alpha frequency (IAF), estimated as the peak frequency from the mean spectrum over posterior electrodes between 8 and 13 Hz. Participants first learned a standard interval (600 ms) and were then required to judge if a new set of temporal intervals were equal or different compared with that standard. After learning the standard, participants performed this task while receiving occipital transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS). Crucially, for each subject, tACS was administered at their IAF or at off-peak al...
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2017
Converging evidence suggests that human cognition and behavior emerge from functional brain netwo... more Converging evidence suggests that human cognition and behavior emerge from functional brain networks interacting on local and global scales. We investigated two information-theoretic measures of functional brain segregation and integration—interaction complexity C I (X), and integration I(X)—as applied to electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and how these measures are affected by choice of EEG reference. C I (X) is a statistical measure of the system entropy accounted for by interactions among its elements, whereas I(X) indexes the overall deviation from statistical independence of the individual elements of a system. We recorded 72 channels of scalp EEG from human participants who sat in a wakeful resting state (interleaved counterbalanced eyes-open and eyes-closed blocks). C I (X) and I(X) of the EEG signals were computed using four different EEG references: linked-mastoids (LM) reference, average (AVG) reference, a Laplacian (LAP) " reference-free " transformation, and an infinity (INF) reference estimated via the Reference Electrode Standardization Technique (REST). Fourier-based power spectral density (PSD), a standard measure of resting state activity, was computed for comparison and as a check of data integrity and quality. We also performed dipole source modeling in order to assess the accuracy of neural source C I (X) and I(X) estimates obtained from scalp-level EEG signals. C I (X) was largest for the LAP transformation, smallest for the LM reference, and at intermediate values for the AVG and INF references. I(X) was smallest for the LAP transformation, largest for the LM reference, and at intermediate values for the AVG and INF references. Furthermore, across all references, C I (X) and I(X) reliably distinguished between resting-state conditions (larger values for eyes-open vs. eyes-closed). These findings occurred in the context of the overall expected pattern of resting state PSD. Dipole modeling showed that simulated scalp EEG-level C I (X) and I(X) reflected changes in underlying neural source dependencies, but only for higher levels of integration and with highest accuracy for the LAP transformation. Our observations suggest that the Laplacian-transformation should be preferred for the computation of scalp-level CI(X) and I(X) due to its positive impact on EEG signal quality and statistics, reduction of volume-conduction, and the higher accuracy this provides when estimating scalp-level EEG complexity and integration.
Journal of Social Sciences Research
Sex differences in self-reported homonegativity is prevalent in past research, yet unexplained. W... more Sex differences in self-reported homonegativity is prevalent in past research, yet unexplained. We examined possible factors associated with sex differences in overall homonegativity. Heterosexuals self-reported on scales including variables of differential exposure to homosexuals, disgust sensitivity, and reporting biases. Males consistently expressed more negative attitudes toward homosexuals, especially gay men. Many variables were significantly correlated with overall homonegativity and revealed significant sex differences, however, unconvincingly. Self-report measures may lack validity, not always capturing people’s true attitudes. Utilizing a new paradigm of implicit cognitive systems may be more worthwhile in explaining social psychological representations of the abstract cognitive construct of prejudice/stereotyping.
IEEE, Jul 2015
Scholars have argued that compared to text and tables, graphs and other visuals (or “inscriptions... more Scholars have argued that compared to text and tables, graphs and other visuals (or “inscriptions”) are a more advanced form of communication than ordinary prose and that the widespread use of graphs in the sciences contributes to the authority of scientific discourse. Research from the early 1980s identified only a few types of inscriptions that accounted for the vast use of visual communication in scientific communication. Yet with advances in production and publishing technology, the potential for use of inscriptions in professional discourse has increased. Therefore, we decided to revisit the question regarding the type and frequency of inscriptions used in scientific discourse. Based on a content analysis of 1,326 inscriptions from 43 research articles in the journal Science, we found that representational visuals, such as
graphs and diagrams, are “high-use” inscriptions. Photograph and instrument output, which are reproductions of scientific evidence rather than transformations of data output, are “medium-use” inscriptions. Tables and equations, which are most similar to ordinary syntax, are “low-use” inscriptions.
This research also identifies visual subtypes that should
be emphasized when teaching scientific communication.
Homonegativity is a term used to describe negative attitudes toward homosexuals. Previous researc... more Homonegativity is a term used to describe negative attitudes toward homosexuals. Previous research shows gender differences in self-reported attitudes toward homosexuals; in this study, we examined possible factors associated with these gender differences. Heterosexual undergraduate students (252 females, 85 males) completed scales measuring variables hypothesized to explain gender differences in overall homonegativity, including differential exposure to homosexuals, disgust sensitivity, and reporting biases. As predicted, heterosexual males consistently expressed more negative attitudes toward homosexuals than did heterosexual females, with the effect being more pronounced for attitudes toward gay men. Also as hypothesized, many (but not all) variables related to differential exposure, disgust sensitivity, and reporting biases were significantly correlated with overall homonegativity and revealed significant gender differences. However, only one of these variables (self-reported familiarity with at least one gay man) showed a significantly stronger correlation with homonegativity among males (r = -.48) than females (r = -.23; Fisher's z = -2.22, p = .03). Thus, the study failed to show that differential exposure, disgust, or reporting biases explain the gender difference in overall homonegativity.
Conference Presentations by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
Stanfield, C. T., Ginsburg, H. J., & Tooley, K. (May 2015).
The self-consistency effect represen... more Stanfield, C. T., Ginsburg, H. J., & Tooley, K. (May 2015).
The self-consistency effect represents human motivation to protect the self-concept from alterations. Such an error occurs when properties of mind are ascribed to non-sentient representations of humans (e.g. avatars). Mentalizing attempts to explain this phenomenon, suggesting the effect is due to social cognitive processing. If influenced by social mechanisms, then only agentive stimuli would activate the self-consistency effect, indicating a one-system domain-specific process. However, numerous studies find this effect is also activated by non-agentive directional stimuli, such as arrows, suggesting a two-system domain-general process occurs. We tested the two theories by inducing the self-consistency effect. Additionally, as little research had been conducted on context, reaction times were measured when the context of the avatar’s sightedness (sighted versus blind) was manipulated. Participants (N = 23) were asked to make quick judgments during a dot perspective task based on perspective cues, either
Self (participant) or other (avatar). Some trials were consistent (all dots in front of avatar) while others were inconsistent (dots in front of and behind avatar). As predicted, an interaction (slower reaction times) occurred during other-inconsistent trials. A contextual effect was predicted to occur in relation to visual perspective cue manipulation, resulting in slower reaction times during the sighted avatar trials when compared to the blind avatar trials. Though non-significant, a trend was observed as slower reaction times during these trials occurred. Thus, a larger sample size may yield results indicating an impact of the stimuli’s context on cognitive processing.
Previous research shows gender differences in self-reported attitudes toward homosexuals; in this... more Previous research shows gender differences in self-reported attitudes toward homosexuals; in this study, we examined possible factors associated with these gender differences. Heterosexual undergraduate students completed scales measuring variables hypothesized to explain gender differences in overall homonegativity (negative attitudes toward homosexuals), including differential exposure to homosexuals, disgust sensitivity, and reporting biases. As predicted, heterosexual males consistently expressed more negative attitudes toward homosexuals than did heterosexual females, with the effect being more pronounced for attitudes toward gay men. Also as hypothesized, many variables related to differential exposure, disgust sensitivity, and reporting biases were significantly correlated with overall homonegativity and revealed significant gender differences. However, only one of these variables (self-reported familiarity with at least one gay man) showed a significantly stronger correlation with homonegativity among males (r = -.48) than females (r = -.23; Fisher's z = -2.22, p = .03). Thus, the study failed to convincingly show that differential exposure, disgust, or reporting biases explain the gender difference in overall homonegativity. As a result, we propose utilizing a new paradigm of implicit cognitive systems. Implicit social cognition provides researchers with a distinctly social psychological representation of what is considered an abstract cognitive construct of prejudice and stereotyping. This could better account for the inexplicable sex differences in functions of attitudes toward homosexuals. Thus, people may not be aware of their existing automatic biases. Researching cognitive processes that contribute to automatic biases against homosexuals is a logical step, as self-report measures may lack validity and do not always capture people’s true attitudes toward members of social outgroups. We suggest that categorical processing of social information, such as prejudice against outgroup members may operate automatically. The sequential semantic priming technique, for example, has been a reliable methodology in assessing the strength of implicit associations that are not typically reflected in self-reported attitudes.
Research Awards by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
The Inexplicable Sex Differences in Homonegativity: A Proposed New Paradigm of Implicit Cognitive... more The Inexplicable Sex Differences in Homonegativity: A Proposed New Paradigm of Implicit Cognitive Systems
Talks by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
Uploads
Papers by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
graphs and diagrams, are “high-use” inscriptions. Photograph and instrument output, which are reproductions of scientific evidence rather than transformations of data output, are “medium-use” inscriptions. Tables and equations, which are most similar to ordinary syntax, are “low-use” inscriptions.
This research also identifies visual subtypes that should
be emphasized when teaching scientific communication.
Conference Presentations by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
The self-consistency effect represents human motivation to protect the self-concept from alterations. Such an error occurs when properties of mind are ascribed to non-sentient representations of humans (e.g. avatars). Mentalizing attempts to explain this phenomenon, suggesting the effect is due to social cognitive processing. If influenced by social mechanisms, then only agentive stimuli would activate the self-consistency effect, indicating a one-system domain-specific process. However, numerous studies find this effect is also activated by non-agentive directional stimuli, such as arrows, suggesting a two-system domain-general process occurs. We tested the two theories by inducing the self-consistency effect. Additionally, as little research had been conducted on context, reaction times were measured when the context of the avatar’s sightedness (sighted versus blind) was manipulated. Participants (N = 23) were asked to make quick judgments during a dot perspective task based on perspective cues, either
Self (participant) or other (avatar). Some trials were consistent (all dots in front of avatar) while others were inconsistent (dots in front of and behind avatar). As predicted, an interaction (slower reaction times) occurred during other-inconsistent trials. A contextual effect was predicted to occur in relation to visual perspective cue manipulation, resulting in slower reaction times during the sighted avatar trials when compared to the blind avatar trials. Though non-significant, a trend was observed as slower reaction times during these trials occurred. Thus, a larger sample size may yield results indicating an impact of the stimuli’s context on cognitive processing.
Research Awards by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
Talks by Candice T Stanfield-Wiswell
graphs and diagrams, are “high-use” inscriptions. Photograph and instrument output, which are reproductions of scientific evidence rather than transformations of data output, are “medium-use” inscriptions. Tables and equations, which are most similar to ordinary syntax, are “low-use” inscriptions.
This research also identifies visual subtypes that should
be emphasized when teaching scientific communication.
The self-consistency effect represents human motivation to protect the self-concept from alterations. Such an error occurs when properties of mind are ascribed to non-sentient representations of humans (e.g. avatars). Mentalizing attempts to explain this phenomenon, suggesting the effect is due to social cognitive processing. If influenced by social mechanisms, then only agentive stimuli would activate the self-consistency effect, indicating a one-system domain-specific process. However, numerous studies find this effect is also activated by non-agentive directional stimuli, such as arrows, suggesting a two-system domain-general process occurs. We tested the two theories by inducing the self-consistency effect. Additionally, as little research had been conducted on context, reaction times were measured when the context of the avatar’s sightedness (sighted versus blind) was manipulated. Participants (N = 23) were asked to make quick judgments during a dot perspective task based on perspective cues, either
Self (participant) or other (avatar). Some trials were consistent (all dots in front of avatar) while others were inconsistent (dots in front of and behind avatar). As predicted, an interaction (slower reaction times) occurred during other-inconsistent trials. A contextual effect was predicted to occur in relation to visual perspective cue manipulation, resulting in slower reaction times during the sighted avatar trials when compared to the blind avatar trials. Though non-significant, a trend was observed as slower reaction times during these trials occurred. Thus, a larger sample size may yield results indicating an impact of the stimuli’s context on cognitive processing.