Action-specific influences on distance perception: a role for motor simulation.
Perception is influenced by the perceiver's ability to perform intended actions. For example, when people intend to reach with a tool to targets that are just beyond arm's reach, the targets look closer than when they intend to reach without the tool (J. K. Witt, D. R. Proffitt, & W. Epstein, 2005). This is one of several examples demonstrating that behavioral potential affects perception. However, the action-specific processes that are involved in relating the person's abilities to perception have yet to be explored. Four experiments are presented that implicate motor simulation as a mediator of these effects. When a perceiver intends to perform an action, the perceiver runs a motor simulation of that action. The perceiver's ability to perform the action, as determined by the outcome of the simulation, influences perceived distance.
Witt
Jessica K
JK
Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. Jkwitt@PURDUE.EDU
Proffitt
Dennis R
DR
D001076:Aptitude; D003469:Culture; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004215:Distance Perception; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011601:Psychophysics