Expecting to lift a box together makes the load look lighter

The action abilities of an individual observer modulate his or her perception of spatial properties of the environment and of objects. The present study investigated how joint action abilities shape perception. Four experiments examined how the intention to lift an object with another individual affects perceived weight. In Experiments 1, 2a, and 2b, participants judged the perceived weight of boxes while expecting to lift them either alone or with a co-actor. In Experiment 3, the co-actor was healthy or injured. Participants intending to lift a box with a co-actor perceived the box as lighter than participants intending to lift the same box alone, provided that the co-actor appeared healthy and therefore capable of helping. These findings suggest that anticipated effort modulates the perception of object properties in the context of joint action. We discuss implications for the role of action prediction and action simulation processes in social interaction

The Canning Industry in Delaware, 1860 To 1940+/-: A Historic Context

The Canning Historic Context was developed in response to the loss of historic resources dealing with Delaware's industrial heritage. While concerted efforts have preserved and interpreted Delaware's industrial and economic resources in northern New Castle County, the physical resources related to activities in the rural two-thirds of the state are quickly disappearing. The goal of this project was to identify and record one facet of rural industrial activity and identify other areas in need of research

The Delaware Ship and Boat Building Industry, 1830-1940: An Historic Context

This historic context develops criteria for the evaluation of the physical remains of the ship and boatbuilding industry in Delaware between 1830 and 1940 to determine their significance and potential eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. By examining technology, the construction process of ships and boats, and shipyard organization, this historic context will explore a segment of Delaware's industrial heritage that reached numerous cities and towns along Delaware's coastal waterways and extended well beyond the Brandywine River in the north (traditionally thought of as the industrial center of Delaware)

Towards a Blueprint for a Social Animal

International audienc