Code name: MAN vs. BLOB
My work this summer dealt with the visual perception of motion. Certain parts of the brain become active when observing actions performed by others--so called 'mirror neurons' that cause our own bodies to prepare to do the same. Motor interference has been observed only when a human subject is asked to perform an action that contradicts the one performed by a human effector, or an effector whose movements are 'natural.' In determining whether there is anything inherently special about humans/human motion, my task was to explore the problem further to establish if it is actually the movements themselves or the superficial characteristics of the effectors (which I personally think it is NOT) that stimulate us.
As mentioned in the introduction, my project involved a man and a blob performing certain motions with identical physical parameters. The plan was to have subject watch, in random order, movies of the man/blob jumping/walking, and then asking the subject questions by which to gauge his or her reaction to the animated character. For more information, see the section below.
Final Report
Here is the culmination of my ten-week tenure as a CRA-W DMP intern. It is perhaps, in terms of tone, the most professionally written thing one may find on this entire site.
Misc.
I also designed two posters for the project. The first was going to be a part of a thrilling series of eye-catching "MAN VS. BLOB" fliers, but I thought it would be sufficiently buzz-worthy on its own. The second was created as per my mentor's suggestion: keep it clean and simple. I used Futura in both designs in homage to Wes Anderson.
