Abstract
The effect of display movement on the ability of subjects to recognize alphabetic shapes tactually was investigated. The display consisted of a computer-controlled 8-by-6 array of small airjet stimulators that could be physically translated in a small circle by means of a mechanical linkage. The experimental parameters were the stimulus duration, the angular velocity of the display, and the amplitude of the rotation. Recognition accuracy increased with stimulus duration between 100 and 400 msec. For a rotation amplitude of 0.8 cm, a maximum in recognition accuracy occurred at a rotation velocity of 400 rpm, or 150 msec. per revolution. The optimum angular velocity appeared to decrease as the amplitude of rotation increased. From these results and certain related neurophysiological evidence, a hypothetical model is suggested which qualitatively can account for the data.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Allison, T. Recovery functions of somatosensory evoked responses in man.EEG clin. Neurophysiol., 1962, 14, 331–43.
Bliss, J. C., & Crane, H. D. A computer-aided instrumentation system for studies in tactual perception.Proc. 16 th Ann. NAECON Conf., Dayton, Ohio, 1964, 375–384.
Bliss, J. C., & Crane, H. D. Experiments in tactual perception. NASA Contractor Report NASA CR-322, November 1965, Prepared by Stanford Research Institute, Menlo Park, California under Contract NAS 2-1679.
Krauskopf, J. Effect or retinal Image motion on contrast thresholds for maintained vision.J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 1957, 47, 740–744.
Lindbiom, V. Properties of touch receptors in distal glabrous skin of the monkey.J. Neuroohueiot., 1965, 128, 966–985.
Linvill, J. G., &Bliss, J. C. A direct translation reading aid for the blind.Proc. of IEEE, 1966, 54, 40–51.
Mountcastle, V. B. Modality and topographic pro perti es of single neurons of cat’s somatic sensory cortex.J. Neurophysiol., 1957, 20, 408–434.
Towe, A. L., &Amassian, V. E. Patterns of activity in single cortical units following stimulation of the digits in monkeys.J. Neuroptuisiol., 1958, 21, 292–311.
Uttal, W. R. Do compound evoked potentials reflect psychological codes?Psychol. Bull., 1965, 64, 377–392.
Uttal, W. R., &Cook, L. Systematics or the evoked somatosensory cortical potential: a psychophysical-electrophysiological comparison.Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 1964, 112 (Art. 1), 60–80.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The work reported in this paper was supported by the Research and Technology Division of the Air Force Avionics Laboratory, Aeronautical Systems Division, under Contract AF 33(6l5)-l099 with Stanford Research Institute. The airjet tactile stimulators used in this study were developed at Stanford Research Institute under Contract NAS 2-1679 with Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, California.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bliss, J.C., Crane, H.D. & Link, S.W. Effect of display movement on tactile pattern perception. Perception & Psychophysics 1, 195–202 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207383
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207383