Placement of Objects in a Frame:
Effect of Direction and Portrayed Motion
1
Ladha ,
1
Zellner ,
Afshan
Debra
Melissa
& Paul
1 Montclair State University, 2 Brooklyn College. CUNY
Abstract
Subjects placed one of four
images (running and standing
horses facing either right or
left) on a rectangular piece of
cardboard in the location they
felt most people would find the
picture most attractive. Images
facing right were placed closer
to the left side of the frame
while images facing left were
closer to the right (inward bias).
This effect was not enhanced by
the apparent motion of the
figure.
Background
Compositions where the
placement of an object is at the
perceptual center of a frame are
found most pleasant. However,
inward bias occurs when
objects are portrayed as facing
right or left (Palmer et al.,
2008).
2
Dolese ,
Question
If motion is portrayed in the
objects facing right or left will
the inward bias be enhanced?
Do objects in motion require
space to move?
Methods


Subjects (45 undergraduates)
placed one of four images on
a piece of 30.3 cm by 45.4 cm
felt in the location they felt
would be attractive to most
people.
The images were pencil
drawings of horses portrayed
as either standing (one facing
right and one facing left) or
running (one facing right and
one facing left).
Right facing objects are
placed to the left of center.
Left facing objects are placed
Right-Facing Standing Horse, Top Left
Left-Facing Running Horse, Bottom Right
1
Locher
Results
Discussion
Inward Bias Confirmed
The inward bias found by
Palmer et al. (2008) was
replicated here for both the
standing and running horses.
There was, however, no
significant difference in degree
of the bias between the
standing and running horses.
Furthermore, the average
placement of the running
horses was closer to the center
than was that of the standing
horses.
A significant number of rightfacing horses were placed to the
left of the center,
(18 of 23, p < 0.05)
A significant number of leftfacing horses were placed to the
right of the center,
(16 of 22, p = 0.05)
No Effect of Motion
There was no significant
difference in the number of
placements showing the inward
bias for the running versus
standing versions of the horse
figures,
Mean and
SD (cm) from left side of frame to
2
(χ
(1)
=
0.91,
p
>
0.34)
perceptual center of horse figures
Right-FacingStanding
17.1 (6.1)
Right-Facing Running
20.3 (6.4)
Left-facing Standing
27.8 (8.8)
Left-Facing Running
25.5 (3.3)
Conclusion
The results of this study
suggest that portrayed motion
has no effect on the inward
bias. Perhaps inward bias
would be affected in people
who have more experience with
art.
Chart of the Disciplines
Law & Literature in Traditional Legal Education
Alex Taub
Senior Seminar in Research and Writing in Jurisprudence, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Research & Breakdown
This research paper addresses the manner in which
the discipline of literary analysis has been utilized in
combination with more traditional legal studies in order
to accommodate the changing needs of legal
education.
The impact of the legal profession on the United
States has continued to expand over the years as has
the many aspects of society in which it plays an
important role.
There has been growing recognition that the skills
required for success in a legal career go well beyond
the traditional core legal skills and also include such
additional skills as effective communication,
relationship-building, organization and management,
and the recognition and resolution of ethical dilemmas.
Greater focus on diversity among both law students
and the population at large has resulted in more
attention being paid to the societal context of the way in
which the law is created and the way it is applied.
This has led to a trend towards supplementing the
traditional case/socratic methodology, which has been
the fundamental approach used in legal education since
1870, with other disciplines among which literary
analysis has been particularly popular.
Comparative Chart of Disciplines Researched
Disciplines/
Perspectives/ Theories
Law
Literature
Legal scholars such as Morawetz and
relationship b/w Law Posner believe that while there is a
and Literature
relationship between the two, it is not
what many other legal scholars who
support the movement hold it to be. They
also question the relevance of that
relationship.
The relationship between Law and Literature is
a relevant one and is acknowledged by many
scholars in the discipline. Efforts have been
made to integrate the two disciplines to show the
similarities in style and methodology of both of
their practices.
Law contains many different
methodologies, but the ones pertaining to
legal analysis, critique and legal writing
are regarded as comparable to those used
in other disciplines.
The methodologies in literature and literary
analysis are crucial elements in the field. They
are similar in nature to those used in the study of
law and have been at the core of literature
studies since its introduction.
Looks at law as structured rigorous
and mechanical study of doctrine and
policy.
As a tool that may or may not assist students of
law in helping them to find out more about the
nature of law and the skills that can be acquired
from the methodologies of literature and
literature study.
Methodologies
Traditional Legal
Education
Summary & Conclusion
This research demonstrates the increasing popularity of Law
and Literature programs, as well as their effectiveness in
meeting the broader requirements of legal education, while
also indicating some issues and questions that remain
regarding their most appropriate form and role in the future.
SRS, 2009
Transfer of Property Rights: Finding the “Public Good” in Eminent Domain
By: Christine Aramini
Senior Seminar in Research and Writing in Jurisprudence, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Hypothesis
It is hypothesized that current law regarding eminent domain transfers property rights to private enterprise
without consideration of “the public good.”
An interdisciplinary approach is essential to explore this problem because no single disciplinary perspective can adequately
address
the
issue
of
eminent
domain.
Discipline of Political Science
Discipline of Law
The discipline of Political Science sees the
issue of eminent domain as essentially
being rooted in a “power struggle” over
claim to property.
Some of the major issues to be examined by a
political lens within this issue are: political
reactions, divide of various political parties,
politics and ideologies of the Supreme Court
Justices, as well as grassroots and reform
movements.
-The Supreme Court Case Kelo v. New London
raised the possibility that a city could simply
transfer a private home to another private
owner, tapping into powerful fears of
unchecked government.
-- In the past half century, only one other
Supreme Court case has sparked a similarly
extreme reaction – Roe v. Wade.
Touchtone Case: Kelo v. New London:
-The Supreme Court found that “public use,” includes private
economic development.
-Homeowners in New London, CT attempted to stop the city
from taking their homes to make way for private development
including a hotel complex and condominiums.
-The outcome of this case elicited much controversy and
outrage over the topic of eminent domain and what exactly is
constituted as a “public good.”
Disciplines: Political Science and Law
Disciplines/Theories
and Doctrines
Supreme Court Case
of Kelo v. New London
Issue: what is
constituted as “public
good”
Constitutional
Elements
Political Science
- Reforms of
- Legal implications
Governors in each - Legal Cases that
State
result
- Policy Options
- Legal definition of
Political Implications “public good”/
vagueness.
- Constitutional Limits - Interpretations of;
- Fifth Amendment
applications of with
- Due Process/Takings regard to eminent
Clause
domain law.
New Jersey State Law - Lobbying for/against
(eminent domain)
Kelo
- Affects on people in
state of New Jersey
- Legislation is highly
political
- Cases have political
implications
Property
Law
- Legislation
made/altered
- Cases
- Political philosophers - Legal history of
such as John Locke
eminent domain law
- Natural law
- Legal meanings
philosophers/political - Legal philosophies
philosophies
of natural law and
connections
The discipline of Law sees eminent domain as a
Constitutional/Legal issue and determines that
cases should be decided in accordance to
Constitutional Law and the Natural Law that guides
it.
-The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
sets forth that the federal government cannot take
private property for public use without just
compensation. This “Takings Clause” has been the
primary Constitutional limit on eminent domain.
-By 1968, with the enactment of the Fourteenth
Amendment, “without due process of law” had come to
mean “without just compensation.
-- The “public use” portion of the “Takings Clause” has
raised many questions .
--- No general definition of what degree of public good
will meet the constitutional requirement for “public use”
can be framed and the final determination rests with
each individual court as to what constitutes as a “public
good.”
Conclusions:
The power of eminent domain rests mainly within the hands of the
appointed and elected officials and those on redevelopment boards
and other authorities. These officials must carefully consider their
exercise of eminent domain power and the people should organize
together in order to help the officials realize the “public good,” that
will best serve their needs.
SRS, 2009
Uncle Tom’s cabin As A Challenge to Slave Law
Andrea Khan
Senior Research and Writing Seminar in Jurisprudence, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study is to utilize an interdisciplinary approach to examine the hypothesis that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin influenced change in the law with regard to slavery in pre- to post- Civil War America.
Disciplines: Law (Slave Law) and Literature (19th Century American novel)
Law
Literature
Uncle Tom’s cabin
American Slave Law
Integration
Literature Changes Law
Civil war
Pre-Civil War American law demonstrates tradition of pro-slavery attitude.
1862- American Civil War begins after stagnation in attempts at compromise between North and South
over slavery
1862- President Abraham Lincoln meets Harriet Beecher Stowe for first time and playfully states “so this
is the little lady who made this big war”- referring to the American Civil War
Slavery is an incredibly lucrative institution in the American South as
an incomparably cheap source of labor.

Novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe is published in 1852.
• Uses elements of the popular sentimental novel to influence emotions of readers
toward anti-slavery attitude.
• Stowe has personal moral objections to slavery , citing her Christian beliefs and the
natural rights of all men.
Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 passed by Congress forces Northern states to return runaway slaves to
alleged owners. Provides no rights for suspected runaways.
1865- Civil War ends along with slavery; 13th Amendment ending slavery is adopted.
Dred Scott Decision
1857- US Supreme Court opinion against Missouri slave Dred Scott declares
that black persons are not considered citizens under the Constitution.
Conclusion
Although there were many causes of the Civil War, interdisciplinary research indicates that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin influenced
public attitude toward anti-slavery to such an extent as to be a major contributing factor to the eruption of the war, and thus affected change in the slave law.
SRS, 2009