Staffordshire University logo
STORE - Staffordshire Online Repository

Mean Head and Shoulder Heights when Seated: Subconscious Postural Cycles During Discrete Computerised Stimuli

Witchel, Harry J., Westling, Carina, NEEDHAM, Robert, HEALY, Aoife and CHOCKALINGAM, Nachiappan (2013) Mean Head and Shoulder Heights when Seated: Subconscious Postural Cycles During Discrete Computerised Stimuli. In: Proceedings of the 31st European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics.

[img] Text
meanhead.pdf - Publisher's typeset copy
Restricted to Repository staff only
Available under License All Rights Reserved (Under Embargo).

Download (487kB) | Request a copy

Abstract or description

Discrete, three-minute, computer-presented stimuli (designed to range from engaging to incredibly boring) were used to elicit changes in cognitive/emotional states in seated, healthy volunteers. These stimuli did not require the use of a mouse, so movements were assumed to be non- instrumental. Stimuli included films, games, quizzes and music. Motion capture and video analysis were used to detect changes in head and shoulder position in response to the stimuli. Results include changes occurring between the first half and the second half of each of the main stimuli (i.e. arising in less than one minute as the volunteer "settles in"); in the second half of each stimulus, there were decreases in head height and shoulder height (i.e. position rather than movement). In conclusion, we speculate that non-instrumental changes in head height and shoulder height may suggest loss of vigilance or diminishing arousal in seated computer-users. Our unique contributions are: 1) discrete stimuli, were used on seated volunteers 2) without a mouse, to show that 3) modest (mm) head and shoulder movements in the vertical axis correlated with 4) subtle cyclical changes in boredom, not overall changes in fatigue. Future psychological validation of tutoring systems with discrete stimuli can use these postural parameters as part of a multimodal analysis of engagement.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords: affective computing, arousal, boredom, discrete stimuli, fatigue, head attitude, motion capture, postural change, video analysis, vigilance
Faculty: School of Life Sciences and Education > Sport and Exercise
Event Title: Proceedings of the 31st European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics
Depositing User: Nachiappan CHOCKALINGAM
Date Deposited: 23 Jun 2017 08:29
Last Modified: 24 Feb 2023 03:48
URI: https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/2670

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

DisabledGo Staffordshire University is a recognised   Investor in People. Sustain Staffs
Legal | Freedom of Information | Site Map | Job Vacancies
Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2DE t: +44 (0)1782 294000