Abstract

The current study aims to understand whether the constraints in the well-defined problem solving task impacts the ill- defined problem solving task of a different knowledge do- main. We chose variants of Raven’s advanced progressive matrices(APM) for well-defined problem-solving. For the ill- defined problem solving task we have chosen creative reason- ing tasks (CRT) which is of same knowledge domain and al- ternate uses task(Guilford, 1967) of a different knowledge do- main. We have collected a sample of 44 participants. We ob- served a significant effect of the variant of APM on CRT per- formance. Higher number of rules in the CRT was observed when it was preceded by cAPM (Mdn = 2) compared to the classic APM (Mdn = 1). Further, we observed a higher CRT Relationship Score under cAPM (Mdn = 78.5) compared to the classic APM (Mdn = 50.5) puzzle conditions. However, the variant of APM did not show a significant effect on AUT, fluency score(p = 0.8 for independent t-test) and elaboration score (p = 0.48 for Mann-Whitney U test). The current results indicate that creativity is more domain-specific than domain- general.

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The current study examines the interaction between predis- posed mood, perceptual processing, and induced mood us- ing music. We conducted an experiment in which partici- pants were asked to identify stimuli at global or local (G/L) perceptual levels with four different background music con- ditions, which had different valence and arousal ratings. We used BMIS to assess current mood and PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to assess depression and anxiety, and divided the participants into two groups: distress and no distress (encompassing both disor- ders). We found a main effect of background music on mood. However, the distress group showed an overall low mood. Fur- ther, we observed an overarching effect of predisposed mood, encompassing depression and anxiety, on individuals’ transient mood experience and perceptual task performance. Individuals in the non-distress group showed a larger global-precedence effect. The results are discussed in light of emotional reactiv- ity theories and the theory of positive emotion.

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Residential energy feedback refers to is about providing personalized information on household energy use to consumers to encourage energy savings. This paper conducts a review of field-based studies that have evaluated the impact of energy feedback on residential energy consumption. The review includes studies in real occupied homes that have deployed feedback intervention(s) and measured energy savings. Our study builds a taxonomy for energy feedback studies based on different characteristics of feedback such as frequency, type, presentation style, and methods of access. Energy savings from similar feedback types were found to differ depending on how the study was conducted. The reviewed studies deployed a range of feedback information including energy units, energy cost and tailored information conducted across diverse audiences (ethnicity, geographical positioning), varying experimental

Abstract

Global access to electricity has increased from 78.2% to 2000 to 90.5% in 2020, resulting in an increased electricity demand worldwide. Unlike commercial electricity consumption, which is managed by professionals, residential consumption is managed by the householders, who often lack insight into their energy usage. Quality feedback, including detailed energy consumption and tips, can lead to substantial household savings. There are several mediums for providing energy feedback, such as Short Message Service (SMS), postal letter, email, mobile app, and In-Home Display (IHD). Studies suggest that feedback through electronic media can save up to 20% of energy consumption. In this work, we aim to design mobile application interfaces that can maximize energy savings through efective feedback. The level of savings realized is dependent on the user’s preferences and understanding of the information presented. User preferences are subjective of their profle (e.g., age, occupation, income) and the cultural context (e.g., country). The possibility of energy reduction is high when the provided information matches the user preferred information for feedback. Smart homes have recently been included as an annexure in India’s building energy code (Eco Niwas Samhita 2021), indicating a growing demand for quality energy feedback in India. However, there is a lack of research that addresses what feedback information is suitable for Indian users. We conducted two questionnaire-based surveys, one to understand users’ preferences for feedback information and another to validate the designed mobile application interface screens. The surveys were conducted on two age groups, young and middle-aged adults. A Chi-Square Test of Independence was performed to assess the relationship between the user’s preference for feedback information and their age group. Participants identifed total energy consumption, appliance level disaggregated information, energy-saving tips, goals, and historical consumption comparisons as the top fve information types. In contrast, normative comparison was the least preferred information. The follow-up design validations suggest that the interface should be customizable to accommodate the varying preferences of users. The current fndings will help customize the energy feedback display UI design as per the Indian population. Keywords: Energy-feedback, Residential, Interface-design, User centric feedback, In-home-display

Abstract

The current study examines the role of constraints in well-defined problem-solving in ill-defined problem-solving. We chose variants of Raven’s advanced progressive matri- ces(APM) for well-defined problem-solving and creative rea- soning tasks (CRT) for ill-defined problem-solving. Using traditional APM, we created a novel version of APM with comparatively lesser constraints available to solve the puzzle, called creative APM(cAPM). The cAPM task was designed to induce divergent thinking along with convergent thinking. It is assumed that the difference in constraints changes the na- ture of the problem space in solving APM and cAPM and may differently affect the following creative reasoning task. We randomly assigned 50 participants to perform APM or cAPM, followed by the CRT, in a fixed order. We observed a sig- nificant effect of constraints available to solve well-defined problems on ill-defined problem-solving. The current result showed higher CRT scores when CRT preceded cAPM (Me- dian = 79.25) than APM (Median = 53.00). The result sug- gests that the flexibility in constraints to solve a well-defined problem induces more divergent thinking alongside convergent thinking and facilitates creative thinking required in ill-defined problem-solving.

Abstract

Is creativity domain-specific or domain-general? Significant studies have approached this problem using self-reported personality and domain-specific and general creative ideation surveys and lack cognitive perspectives. Creativity is defined as the generation of original and useful products that have emerged through the applications of basic cognitive processes to existing knowledge structures. The current study investigates its implications while modifying the basic knowledge structure. Further, we examine the role of the knowledge domain in creative task performance. For prior knowledge structure, we used advanced Raven’s matrices and modified its constraints to create a novel creative advanced Raven’s Matrices (cAPM) to induce creativity. For creativity, we asked participants to perform two tasks: create Raven's like matrices using creative reasoning task (CRT) and Guilford's alternative uses task (AUT). Unlike other creativity tasks like AUT, CRT allows to measure both convergent and divergent thinking in a given task. The CRT and AUT are different from APM puzzles in two ways, i.e., the knowledge domain and the involvement of creative thinking. The fixed order of APM followed by creativity tasks allowed us to evaluate the boundaries of induced creative thinking across the knowledge domain

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Emergency signages are crucial for safe evacuations but have been challenged by inconsistent and ambiguous designs. We conducted two experiments to evaluate a specific emergency signage design, i.e., running man's pictogram, in ease of conveying the direction to exit an unknown building. We compared the running man's pictogram with traditional arrow signage in exp.1, and in exp. 2, we examined the key features that contribute to the running man's composition. In both conditions, the participant's task was to determine the running man's/ arrow's orientation and press the instructed corresponding keys. We observed a faster and more accurate response for the right arrow than the right running man in experiment 1. Further, in exp. 2, the head/face component showed an advantage in identifying the running man's orientation over the leg/hand. Results suggest running man alone in emergency signage may be risky, especially when it is incomplete without a head and face.

Abstract

Cognitive impairment, alterations in mood, emotion dysregulation are just a few of the consequences of depression. Despite depression being reported as the most common mental disorder worldwide, examining depression or risks of depression is still challenging. Emotional reactivity has been observed to predict the risk of depression, but the results have been mixed for negative emotional reactivity (NER). To better understand the emotional response conflict, we asked our participants to describe their feeling in meaningful sentences alongside reporting their reactions to the emotionally evocative words. We presented a word on the screen and asked participants to perform two tasks, rate their feeling after reading the word using the self-assessment manikin (SAM) scale, and describe their feeling using the property generation task. The emotional content was analyzed using a novel machine-learning algorithm approach. We performed these two tasks in blocks and