Integration of length and curvature in haptic perception.
We investigated if and how length and curvature information are integrated when an object is explored in one hand. Subjects were asked to explore four types of objects between thumb and index finger. Objects differed in either length, curvature, both length and curvature correlated as in a circle, or anti-correlated. We found that when both length and curvature are present, performance is significantly better than when only one of the two cues is available. Therefore, we conclude that there is integration of length and curvature. Moreover, if the two cues are correlated in a circular cross-section instead of in an anti-correlated way, performance is better than predicted by a combination of two independent cues. We conclude that integration of curvature and length is highly efficient when the cues in the object are combined as in a circle, which is the most common combination of curvature and length in daily life.
MOVE Research Institute, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Virjanand
V
Panday
MOVE Research Institute, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Wouter M Bergmann
WM
Tiest
MOVE Research Institute, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Astrid M L
AM
Kappers
D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult