Grasping for parsimony: do some motor actions escape dorsal processing?
It is an open question whether the visual transformations guiding human actions are similar to those generating visual perception. The Action-Perception model assumes a strict division of labor: the ventral cortical stream generates perception while the dorsal stream guides actions. However, only skilled and natural actions are assumed to be under dorsal control, while awkward and left-handed actions should be under ventral control in the same way as perception. Here, we used a combination of Garner-Interference and the psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm to test this notion. We found that all types of grasping (left-handed, awkward, using a tool) behave in a way similar to skilled right-handed grasping: other than perception they show no Garner-Interference, but similar to perception they show a limitation of processing capacities as indicated by the PRP paradigm. This behavior suggests that similar processes guide all these actions.
Janczyk
Markus
M
Dortmund University of Technology, Department of Psychology, Dortmund, Germany. markus.janczyk@tu-dortmund.de
Franz
Volker H
VH
Kunde
Wilfried
W
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult