Symbols of recovery : the impact of earthquake images on vigilance

Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

This study explores the impact post-earthquake images from Christchurch, New Zealand inserted into a task requiring sustained attention or vigilance have on performance, selfreports of task-focus, and cerebra activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The images represent the current state of Christchurch; a city struggling to recover from devastating earthquakes that peaked in February, 2011, killing 185 people, injuring hundreds more and causing widespread and massive damage to infrastructure, land and building in the region. Crowdsourcing was used to gather a series of positive and negative photos from greater Christchurch to be employed in the subsequent experiment. Seventy-one Christchurch resident participants (51 women, 20 men) then took part in a vigilance task with the sourced images embedded to assess possible cognitive disruptions. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: embedded positive pictures, embedded negative pictures, or embedded scrambled image controls. Task performance was assessed with signal detection theory metrics of sensitivity A’ and β’’. Individuals viewing the positive images, relating to progress, rebuild, or aesthetic aspects within the city, were overall more conservative or less willing to respond than those in the other conditions. In addition, positive condition individuals reported lower task focus, when compared to those in the control condition. However, indicators of cerebral activity (fNIRS) did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. These results combined, suggest that mind wandering events may be being generated when exposed to positive post-earthquake images. This finding fits with recent research which indicates that mind-wandering or day dreaming tends to be positive and future oriented. While positive recovery images may initiate internal thoughts, this could actually prove problematic in contexts in which external attention is required. While the actual environment, of course, needs to recover, support agencies may want to be careful with employing positive recovery imagery in contexts where people actually should be paying attention to something else, like operating a vehicle or machinery.

its like now: Video Interview

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an interview with Julia Holden about the ideas behind, and execution of, her 'its like now' exhibition. The video was created by Lizzy Guthrie.

its like now: Animated Painting

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A copy of an 'animated painting', created from painted portraits of 50 people from the Christchurch arts community. The video was part of Julia Holden's exhibition 'its like now'.

2015. Another year down!

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

It’s that time of year again. Behold! Some of our favourite discoveries and images from 2015. It’s been an eventful twelve months. Archaeology happened. Sites were surveyed, excavated, photographed, investigated, disseminated and ruminated upon. Clues were followed and mysteries unrav...

Creativity and Innovation - Address by Russell Stanners

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an address by Russell Stanners, CEO of Vodafone, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. This talk focuses on smart buildings and new ways of working.

Creativity and Innovation - Address by Corinne Haines

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an address by Corrine Haines, Managing Director of Trimble, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. This talk focuses on smart buildings and new ways of working.

Engaging Citizens - Address by David Ayers

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an address by David Ayers, Mayor of Waimakariri District, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. The talk is about providing opportunities for input and feedback.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 9

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of students falling through a bridge into the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

Engaging Citizens - Address by Carolyn Robertson

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an address by Carolyn Robertson, Libraries and Information Manager of Christchurch Libraries, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. The talk is about providing opportunities for input and feedback.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 31

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of eight students falling through a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

Engaging Quake Claimants and Community Networks - Address by Keith Land

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an address by Keith Land, Head of Canterbury Land Settlement, EQC, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. This talk is about learning from complex claims and local knowledge.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 15

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of four students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 13

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of three students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 24

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of seven students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

The Developing Picture - Address by Stephen Collins

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an address by developer Stephen Collins, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. This talk focuses on commercial development progress, and opportunities and issues in Central Christchurch and beyond.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 20

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of six students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 12

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of two students walking on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 14

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of three students standing on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 18

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of five students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 17

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of five students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 32

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of eight students falling through a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 29

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of eight students falling through a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 1

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a student falling through a bridge into the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 8

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of two students walking on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 4

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a student walking on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 5

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of two students walking on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 3

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a student walking on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 6

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of two students walking on a bridge across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 28

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of eight students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.

2015 - Engineering Bridge Challenge Photograph 23

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of six students on a bridge they have constructed across the Avon River, outside the UCSA building. The photograph was taken in 2015 during the annual Civil Engineering Bridge Challenge event.