Abstract
Transitions from one space to another are defined by two spaces and a delineating threshold between them.
The threshold itself can manifest in different architectural forms and has impact on the perception and affective
evaluation of the connected spaces (Moretti, Bucci, Mulazzani, & DeConciliis, 2002). Changing spatial proportions
in sequences is an architectural illusion exploited since the Egyptians (ca. 2010 BCE). Prior spaces seem to affect
later spaces and the threshold itself might have an affective influence. Here, we investigated transitions in the
form of openings, to gain a deeper understanding of the perceived affordance of crossing the openings and how
this impacts evaluation of the space. Embedded in a broader investigation of cognitive predictive mechanisms
to better understand architectural transitions, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether the physical
passing, referring to affordances (Gibson, 1979) and active inference (Bruineberg, Kiverstein, & Rietveld, 2016;
Friston, Mattout, & Kilner, 2011), co-vary with the motor-related cortical potentials (MRCPs; Bozzacchi, Giusti,
Pitzalis, Spinelli, & Russo, 2012) as measured with the electroencephalogram (EEG). We hypothesized to find more
positive MRCP activity in pre-frontal and parietal areas prior to action in spaces that provide better affordances,
compared to spaces that hinder the agent (Bozzacchi, Spinelli, Pitzalis, Giusti, & Di Russo, 2015). We further
investigate whether the ceiling height of the second space has an emotional influence, and how the MRCPs
may influence the introspective decisions.46 Using a Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) approach (Gramann
et al., 2011; Gramann, Jung, Ferris, Lin, & Makeig, 2014; Makeig, Gramann, Jung, Sejnowski, & Poizner, 2009) we
combined head-mounted virtual reality with mobile EEG, to investigate transition through different openings.
Participants were asked to transition between two spaces passing openings with low versus high affordance,
i.e., openings that were too narrow to pass versus openings that were easily passable. The task entailed an
action-dependent transit (50% of trials), with the final goal to reach a red circle (Figure 1). This study investigates
the neural dynamics underlying action and cognition as predictive mechanisms revealing first insights into the
affective influences of transitions on spatial perception of sequentially experienced spaces.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | ACADEMY OF NEUROSCIENCE FOR ARCHITECTURE : SHARED BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES |
Number of pages | 2 |
Publisher | Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture |
Publication date | 22 Sept 2018 |
Pages | 52-53 |
Publication status | Published - 22 Sept 2018 |
Event | Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture 2018 Conference: Shared behavioral outcomes - SALK Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States Duration: 20 Sept 2018 → 22 Sept 2018 |
Conference
Conference | Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture 2018 Conference |
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Location | SALK Institute for Biological Studies |
Country/Territory | United States |
City | La Jolla |
Period | 20/09/2018 → 22/09/2018 |