An Example using the Scientific Explanation Tool within the New Paradigm

Transcription

1 An Example using the Scientific Explanation Tool within the New Paradigm Inattentional Blindness is a "Good" explanation and Conspicuity is a "Bad" explanation

2 Explanation A good explanation is difficult to manipulate, difficult to vary as new data is collected. 2

3 "Statement" because "Explanation" Statement: "I didn t see the motorcycle prior to crashing into it. Let us compare two different explanations, a bad explanation and a good explanation. 3

4 Conspicuity or Inattentional Blindness? Conspicuity: The property of being clearly discernable. The state or quality of being clear and bright. 4

5 Conspicuity or Inattentional Blindness? Inattentional Blindness (IB). Even if the motorcycle is in full view, the other driver may be mentally blind to the presence of the motorcycle. The driver's eyes may see the motorcycle, but if the driver is mentally attending to other tasks the image of the motorcycle may be ignored. So, the driver's eyes may see the motorcycle, but the driver's brain does not comprehend the motorcycle. 5

6 Conspicuity or Inattentional Blindness? Conspicuity: The property of being clearly discernable. The state or quality of being clear and bright. Inattentional Blindness (IB). Even if the motorcycle is in full view, the other driver may be mentally blind to the presence of the motorcycle. The driver's eyes may see the motorcycle, but if the driver is mentally attending to other tasks the image of the motorcycle may be ignored. So, the driver's eyes may see the motorcycle, but the driver's brain does not comprehend the motorcycle. 6

7 Question by investigator speaking with the driver who just stated, "I didn't see the motorcycle." Conspicuity: What color helmet was the motorcycle driver wearing? (Or, Did he have his headlight on?, etc..) Inattentional Blindness: Where was your attention just prior to the crash? (Difficult to vary.) 7

8 Car driver collides with motorcycle: Conspicuity: Educate the motorcycle driver Inattentional Blindness: Educate the car driver. Also Add detection devices to car and motorcycle. Change the roadway. 8

9 Imagine you are sent out to observe motorcycles from the side of the road. Your task is to evaluate the conspicuity of motorcycles driving by you. On your clip board you carefully notate such matters as: Color of driver gear Color of motorcycle Other suggestions? Last thing to do before you submit your findings... Estimate number of motorcycles that got by you because you didn t see them 9

10 Peripheral vision is not equipped to detect Color "The retina is a layer of tissue located in the back of the inner eye that converts light images to nerve signals and transmits them to the brain. The receptor cells on the retina are densest at the center the area known as the macula and more diffuse at the edges. There are two types of receptor cells: rod cells and cone cells. Rod cells are essential for seeing in dim light, but they are unable to distinguish color. Cone cells are concentrated in the center of the retina and enable us to see bright lights and color." Dr. William Goldstein, EyeHealthWeb

11 Changing the color of objects in our Peripheral Vision will not make the object more discernible or noticeable. We must be looking at the object that is brightly lighted, with our central vision, to be able detect the color. If the "other driver" is doing this and can identify the color of the motorcycle or motorcycle gear, they have already "discerned" the motorcycle's presence. 11

12 Conspicuity is easy to manipulate, easy to vary as more data is collected. Conspicuity is a bad explanation for why other drivers collide with motorcycles. Inattentional Blindness is difficult to manipulate, difficult to vary as more data is collected. Inattention Blindness is a good explanation for why other drivers collide with motorcycles 12