Prof. Loes van Dam, Ph.D.

Working area(s)

Contact

work +49 6151 16-23958

Work S1|15 113
Alexanderstr. 10
64283 Darmstadt

Head of the Sensorimotor Control and Learning Group at the Center for Cognitive Science.

I’m interested in multisensory perception and goal-oriented behaviour in virtual reality (VR) as well as the real world. When we interact with our direct surroundings, e.g. picking up a cup of coffee, we appear to do so seemingly effortlessly. Yet, even such simple every-day tasks involve sensing the 3D position and orientation of the cup (sensory processing), making an educated guess whether it is currently full or empty to estimate its weight (cognitive processing), and having an idea of our own limb position and where it needs to go next (movement planning).

My research focuses on how our sensory system selects and combines relevant pieces of information, both for perception of our environment, as well as for performing such goal-oriented tasks. As part of this I also investigate how our senses combine to form a sense of avatar/tool ownership and agency in Virtual Reality.

To address these topics, I use straightforward perceptual tasks as well as game-like target-pointing or tracking tasks to investigate goal-oriented behaviour. Below is a list of examples for possible projects on these topics. If you would like to know more or to discuss the possibilities, feel free to contact me.

WS 23/24

  • Topics in Cognitive Science – 03-03-1416-se (Topics in Multisensory Perception and Action)
  • Cognitive Science Master Project II A (03-03-2410-pj)

SS 23

  • Cognitive Science 3: Acting – Lecture and Seminar

WS 22/23

  • Topics in Cognitive Science – 03-03-1416-se (Topics in Multisensory Perception and Action)
  • Grundlagen der Cognitive Science – 03-03-1403-se (Einführung in Python)

Supervised Theses

  • Tracking at a distance in Virtual Reality: effects on performance and embodiment. (2023) (B.Sc.). Supervised by Loes C.J. van Dam & Borja Aguado-Ramirez
  • Revisiting Fitt's Law: The Effect of Cursor Size and Orientation. (2023) (B.Sc.). Supervised by Loes C.J. van Dam & Borja Aguado-Ramirez

Books / PhD-Thesis

  • van Dam, L.C.J. (2006). Ambiguities in visual perception. The aperture problem and the role of eye movements in perceptual bistability. Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands. (ISBN: 978-90-393-4272-5)

Book Chapters

  • van Dam, L.C.J., Parise, C.V. & Ernst, M.O. (2014). Modeling Multisensory Integration. In: “Sensory Integration and the Unity of Consciousness”, Editors: Bennett, D. & Hill C., Cambridge, Ma, MIT Press, pages 209–229.
  • Bennett, D.J., Trommershäuser, J., van Dam, L.C.J. (2014). Bayesian Modeling of Perceiving: A Guide to Basic Principles. In: “Sensory Integration and the Unity of Consciousness”, Editors: Bennett, D. & Hill C., Cambridge, Ma, MIT Press, pages 3-13.

Journal Articles

  • Fotia, F., Van Dam, L., Sykes, J.J., Ambrosini, E., Costantini, M., Ferri, F. (2022). Body Structural representation in schizotypy. Schizophrenia Research, 239, 1-10.
  • Fotia, F., Cooke, J., Van Dam, L., Ferri, F. & Romei, V. (2021). The temporal sensitivity to the tactile-induced Double Flash Illusion mediates the impact of beta oscillations on schizotypal personality traits. Consciousness and Cognition, 91: 103121.
  • Van Dam, L.C.J., Webb, A.L.M., Jarvis, L.D.B., Linley, M. & Hibbard, P.B. (2020). “The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps”: A case study for combined storytelling in a theatre play and Virtual Reality, 2020 International Conference on 3D Immersion (IC3D), Brussels, Belgium, doi: 10.1109/IC3D51119.2020.9376391.
  • Hibbard, P.B., Van Dam, L.C.J. & Scarfe, P. (2020). The Implications of Interpupillary Distance Variability for Virtual Reality, 2020 International Conference on 3D Immersion (IC3D), Brussels, Belgium, doi: 10.1109/IC3D51119.2020.9376369.
  • Glowania, C., Plaisier, M.A., Ernst, M.O. & Van Dam, L.C.J. (2020). No need to touch this: Bimanual haptic slant adaptation does not require touch. PLoS One. 15 (7), e0236824.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Stephens, J.R. (2018) Effects of prolonged exposure to feedback delay on the qualitative subjective experience of virtual reality. PLOS ONE 13(10): e0205145.
  • Glowania, C., van Dam, L.C.J., Brenner, E., & Plaisier, M.A. (2017). Smooth at one end and rough at the other: Influence of object texture on grasping behaviour, Experimental Brain Research, 235(9), 2821–2827.
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Plaisier, M.A., Glowania, C. & Ernst, M.O. (2016). Haptic adaptation to slant: No transfer between exploration modes, Scientific Reports, 6, Article number: 34412.
  • Rohde, M., van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2016). Statistically optimal multisensory cue integration: a practical tutorial. Multisensory Research, 29(4-5): 279-317.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2015). Relative errors can cue absolute visuomotor mappings. Experimental Brain Research. 233(12): 3367–3377.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2015). Mapping shape to visuomotor mapping: learning and generalisation of sensorimotor behaviour based on contextual information. PLoS Computational Biology, 11(3): 1–23.
  • Plaisier, M.A., van Dam, L.C.J., Glowania, C. & Ernst, M.O. (2014). Exploration mode affects visuohaptic integration of surface orientation, Journal of Vision, 14(13:22): 1–12.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. (2014). Visual target distance, but not visual cursor path length produces shifts in motor behavior: a multisensory integration perspective, Frontiers in Psychology, 5, Article 650.
  • Wallraven, C., Bülthoff, H.H., Waterkamp S., van Dam, L. & Gaißert, N. (2014). The eyes grasp, the hands see: metric category knowledge transfers between vision and touch, Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 21(4): 976–985.
  • Rohde, M., van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2014). Predictability is necessary for closed-loop visual feedback delay adaptation, Journal of Vision, 14(3): Article 4, 1–23.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2013). Knowing the error of our ways, but hardly correcting for it: An instance of optimal performance, PLoS ONE, 8(10): e78757.
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Hawellek, D.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2013). Switching between visuomotor mappings: learning absolute mappings or relative shifts, Journal of Vision, 13(2:26), 1–12.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2010). Pre-exposure disrupts learning of location contingent perceptual biases for ambiguous stimuli, Journal of Vision, 10(8:15), 1–17.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2006). Retinal image shifts, but not eye movements per se, cause alternations in awareness during binocular rivalry, Journal of Vision, 6(11), 1172–1179.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2006). The role of saccades in exerting voluntary control in perceptual and binocular rivalry, Vision Research, 46, 787–799.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2005). The role of (micro)saccades and blinks in perceptual bi-stability from slant rivalry, Vision Research, 45, 2417–2435.
  • van Ee, R., van Dam, L.C.J. & Brouwer, G.J. (2005). Voluntary perceptual control and the dynamics of perceptual bi-stability, Vision Research, 45, 41–55.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2004). Stereoscopic matching and the aperture problem, Perception, 33, 769–787.
  • van Ee, R. & van Dam, L.C.J. (2003). The influence of cyclovergence on unconstrained stereoscopic matching, Vision Research, 43, 307–319.
  • van Ee, R., van Dam, L.C.J. & Erkelens, C.J. (2002). Bi-stability in perceived slant when binocular disparity and monocular perspective specify different slants, Journal of Vision, 2, 597–607.

Toolboxes

  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Rohde, M. (2015). Maximum Likelihood Multisensory Integration Toolbox. MATLAB Central File Exchange, File ID: 50514

Refereed Abstracts

  • Stephens, J.R., Hibbard, P.B., van Dam, L.C.J. (2022). Computer cursor appearance in pointing tasks: the effect of cursor size. ECVP 2022
  • Stephens, J.R., Hibbard, P.B., van Dam, L.C.J. (2022). Delays in a virtual tracking task are detrimental to the feelings of ownership and agency. IMRF 2022
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & May, K.A. (2022). Signal Detection Theory and multisensory coupling. IMRF 2022
  • Stephens, J.R., Hibbard, P.B. & van Dam, L.C.J. (2021). Computer cursor orientation affects both pointing behaviour and the sense of agency in a target pointing task. Perception, Vol. 50(suppl), 10-10 (ECVP 2021)
  • Webb, A., Hibbard, P.B. & van Dam, L.C.J. (2021). Presence in an immersive-360 theatre auditorium: the influence of immersion, emotional arousal, and overall experience enjoyment. Perception 50(suppl), 25-25 (ECVP 2021)
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Nilsen, I.B.R., Stephens, J.R. (2021). Prolonged exposure to feedback delay in Virtual Reality: subjective ownership and agency ratings rely on general task performance rather than genuine temporal adaptation. Perception 50(suppl), 145-145 (ECVP 2021)
  • Van Dam, L. (2019). The motion induced position shift in a target tracking task. Perception, Vol. 48(2S), page 76 (ECVP 2019).
  • Hibbard, P., Webb, A., Linley, M. & Van Dam, L. (2019). Combining Virtual Reality and Traditional Story Telling in “The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps”: A case study. Poster at VSAC 2019
  • Nilsen, I. & van Dam, L. (2019). Target-tracking: exploring the effects of prolonged exposure to feedback delay in virtual reality. Talk at SVG 2019.
  • Hughes, R.T, Scarfe, P., Hibbard, P.B & van Dam, L.C.J. (2018). Perception of Object Movement in Virtual Reality. VSS Abstract book, page 137, abstract 33.450 (VSS 2018).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Stephens, J.R. (2018). The effect of prolonged exposure to feedback delay on body ownership, agency and presence in virtual reality. VSS abstract book, page 222, abstract 43.433 (VSS 2018).
  • van Dam, L., Ferri, F. (2017). The Trump effect: The effect of visual hand-size on movement behavior. ECVP 2017 Abstract Book, page 202 (ECVP 2017).
  • Glowania, C., van Dam, L., Brenner, E., Plaisier, M. (2017). Influence of object texture on grasping behaviour. Journal of Vision, 17(10), 466-466 (VSS 2017).
  • van Dam, L. (2016). Signal Detection Theory in visual illusions and multisensory integration. Perception 46(10), page 1213-1213 (AVA Christmas Meeting 2016).
  • van Dam, L., Li, D. Ernst, M.O. (2016), Different usage of visual information for cursor and target in a target-tracking task. Perception 45, ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 265-266 (ECVP 2016).
  • Glowania, C., van Dam, L., Hanke, S., Ernst, M. (2016). Haptic shape adaptation is not object dependent. Perception 45, ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 151 (ECVP 2016).
  • van Dam, L., Plaisier, M., Glowania, C. & Ernst, M. (2015). Adaptation of haptic surface orientation: No transfer between different unimanual exploration modes, 16th International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF 2015).
  • Glowania, C., van Dam, L., Plaisier, M. & Ernst, M. (2015). Adaptation to haptic surface orientation: Combining information across exploration modes, 16th International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF 2015).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2014). What determines the adaptation rate in the visual motion aftereffect? Journal of Vision, 14(10), 1330 (VSS 2014).
  • Ernst, M.O. & van Dam, L. (2014). We know our own movement errors, but we hardly correct for them: An instance of optimal behavior, Journal of Vision, 14(10), 837 (VSS 2014).
  • Rohde, M., van Dam. L. & Ernst, M.O. (2014). Adaptation to visual feedback delays in predictable manual tracking recalibrates perceived simultaneity, Journal of Vision, 14(10), 901 (VSS 2014).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2013). Determinants of adaptation rate in the visual motion aftereffect, Perception 42, ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 184 (ECVP 2013).
  • Plaisier, M.A., van Dam, L.C.J., Glowania, C. & Ernst, M.O. (2013). Visuo-haptic perception of slant, Perception 42, ECVP Abstract Supplement, pages 230–231(ECVP 2013).
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Li D. & Ernst, M.O. (2012). Visuomotor tracking: Minimizing visual error does not rely on visual error alone, Perception 41, ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 186 (ECVP 2012).
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Li D. & Ernst, M.O. (2011). Prime Time: Surprising matching of viewing and movement time, NVP conference in Egmond aan Zee.
  • Gaißert N., Waterkamp S., van Dam L., Bülthoff H. & Wallraven C. (2011). Efficient cross-modal transfer of shape information in visual and haptic object categorization, 12th International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF 2011).
  • Gaißert N., Waterkamp S., van Dam L. & Bülthoff I. (2011). Cross-modal transfer in visual and haptic object categorization, Perception 40, ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 134 (ECVP 2011).
  • van Dam, L. & Ernst, M. (2011). Knowing the error of our ways yet being unable to correct for it, Perception 40, ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 20 (ECVP 2011).
  • Rohde, M., van Dam, L. & Ernst, M. (2010). Seeing ahead – adaptation to delays in visual feedback recalibrates visuo-motor simultaneity perception, Perception 39, EVCP Abstract Suppl. page 66 (ECVP 2010).
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Pape, A.-A. & Ernst, M.O. (2010). We know our errors that result from noise, 11th International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF 2010).
  • Ernst, M.O. & van Dam, L. (2010). Mapping shape to visuomotor mapping: generalization to novel shapes, Journal of Vision 10(7), 1077 (VSS 2010).
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Ernst, M.O. & Backus, B.T. (2010). Pre-exposure interferes with perceptual learning for ambiguous stimuli, Journal of Vision 10(7), 1140 (VSS 2010).
  • Fuller, S., Backus, B.T., van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2009). Short-term dynamics of perceptual bias for bistable stimuli, Journal of Vision 9(8), 41 (VSS 2009).
  • Narain, D., van Dam, L.C.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2009). Learning times do not alter adaptation rates in rapid reaching tasks, Journal of Vision 9(8), 1154 (VSS 2009).
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Hawellek, D.J. & Ernst, M.O. (2008). Switching between visuomotor mappings: learning absolute mappings or relative shifts? Perception 37, EVCP Abstract Suppl. page 109 (ECVP 2008).
  • van Dam, L.C.J., Mulder, R., Noest, A., Brascamp, J.W., van den Berg, B. & van Ee R. (2007). Sequential dependency in percept durations for binocular rivalry, Journal of Vision 7(9), 53 (VSS 2007).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2007). The role of saccadic eye movements in perceptual bistability, Kog Wis 2007.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2006). Saccadic retinal shifts correlate with perceptual alternations in binocular rivalry, Perception 35, EVCP Abstract Suppl. page 25 (ECVP 2006).
  • van Ee, R., Brascamp, J.W., Brouwer G.J. & van Dam L.C.J. (2006). Endogenous control over either of the two percepts that compete for visual awareness in perceptual rivalry, Association for the scientific study of consciousness, 10 (ASSC 2006).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2005). The role of eye movements in bistability from perceptual and binocular rivalry and the role of voluntary control, Journal of Vision, 5(8), 704a (VSS 2005).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2005). The role of version and vergence in visual bistability, Perception, EVCP Abstract Suppl. page 145 (ECVP 2005).
  • van Ee, R., van Dam, L.C.J. & Brouwer, G.J. (2003). Attention-driven conscious bi-stable stereoscopic depth perception, Society for NeuroScience, 339.1.
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2003). Bistability in stereoscopically perceived slant about a horizontal axis, Journal of Vision, 3(9), 467a (VSS 2003).
  • van Ee, R., van Dam, L.C.J., Brouwer, G.J. & Korsten, N.J.H. (2003). Bistable stereoscopic 3D percepts: Will-power, flip frequency, eye movements and blinks, Journal of Vision, 3(9), 160a, (VSS 2003).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee, R. (2002). Stereoscopic matching and the aperture problem, Perception, EVCP Abstract Suppl. page 159 (ECVP 2002).
  • van Ee, R. & van Dam, L.C.J. (2002). The influence of cyclovergence on unconstrained stereoscopic matching, Perception, Suppl. page 55 (ECVP 2002).
  • van Dam, L.C.J. & van Ee R. (2001). The matching problem: head-centric or retinacentric, NVP conference in Egmond aan Zee.

Invited Talks

  • Interactions between vision and motor control (2022) Seminar presentation, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany
  • Visual interactions with motor control (2021). Colloquium presentation for the faculty for Computer Science, Engineering & Psychology, Ulm University
  • The interactions between haptics and vision in active shape perception (2021). Presentation at the workshop: The sense of touch: interplay between action and perception & underlying body representations (october 2021). Online workshop
  • Perception, Action & Sensorimotor Learning (2019). Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
  • Integrating the senses in VR (2019). Redmond, USA
  • Perception, Action & Learning (2015). Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  • Perception, Action & Learning (2015). Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
  • Dynamics in Perception and Action (2015). Department of Psychology, University of Reading, UK.
  • Dynamics in Perception and Action (2015). Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
  • Human learning processes for sensorimotor control (2014). Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA.
  • Information Usage in Sensorimotor Control, (2012). Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  • Learning in visuomotor control (2011). The Perceptual Intelligence Lab, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.
  • Learning in visuomotor control (2011). Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.