Visual objects can potentiate a grasping neural simulation which interferes with manual response execution.
Previous studies on visuomotor priming have provided insufficient information to determine whether the reach-to-grasp potentiation of a non-target object produces a specific effect during response execution. In order to answer this question, subjects were instructed to reach and grasp a response device with either a power or a precision grip, depending on whether the stimulus they saw was empty or full. Stimuli consisted of containers (graspable with either a power or a precision grip), with non-graspable stimuli added as a control condition (geometrical shapes). The image of the non-target object was removed during the execution phase. Results demonstrate slower execution responses related to motor incompatibility, though conversely, no faster responses with motor compatibility. Moreover, any visuomotor priming effect required that the container be displayed during response execution. These data suggest that during response execution, motor incompatibility produces a disruptive effect likely due to competition between two cerebral events: motor control of the actual response execution and visual object reach-to-grasp neural simulation.
Olivier
Gerard
G
Cognitive and Social Psychology Laboratory, University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, France. olivierg@unice.fr
Velay
Jean Luc
JL
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013334:Students; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult