Abstract
Threshold amplitude for vibration is elevated if testing is preceded by extended exposure to a vibratory adapting stimulus of appropriate amplitude and frequency. This phenomenon, previously studied almost exclusively on the hand, is here shown for the first time to occur on the face as well. Adaptation is then used analytically to determine that the two-branched threshold. versus-frequency function obtained on the face by Verrillo and Ecker (1977) represents the activity of two distinct mechanisms. Action spectra of vibrotactile adaptation reveal the presence of both mechanisms even in subjects whose unadapted threshold function (like that reported by Barlow, 1987) shows no sign of duplexity. Finally, the data suggest that on the face (unlike the hand), cross-channel adaptation may occur at high adapting amplitudes.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barlow, S. M. (1987). Mechanical frequency detection thresholds in the human face.Experimental Neurology,96, 253–261.
Bolanowski, S. J., Jr.,Gescheider, G. A., Verrillo, R. T., &Checkosky, C. M. (1988). Four channels mediate the mechanical aspects of touch.Journal of the Acoustical Society of America,84, 1680–1694.
Chubbuck, J. G. (1966). Small-motion biological stimulator.APL Technical Digest, May–June, 18–23.
Cohen, L. H., &Lindley, S. B. (1938). Studies in vibratory sensibility.American Journal of Psychology,51, 44–63.
Darian-Smith, I. (1973). The trigeminal system. In A. Iggo (Ed.),Handbook of sensory physiology: Vol. II. Somatosensory system (pp. 271–314). Berlin: Springer.
Frisina, R. D., &Gescheider, G. A. (1977). Comparison of child and adult vibrotactile thresholds as a function of frequency and duration.Perception & Psychophysics,22, 100–103.
Gescheider, G. A. (1976). Evidence in support of the duplex theory of mechanoreception.Sensory Processes,1, 68–76.
Gescheider, G. A., Frisina, R. D., &Verrillo, R. T. (1979). Selective adaptation of vibrotactile thresholds.Sensory Processes,3, 37–48.
Gescheider, G. A., &Niblette, R. K. (1967). Cross-modality masking for touch and hearing.Journal of Experimental Psychology,74, 313–320.
Gescheider, G. A., &Verrillo, R. T. (1979). Vibrotactile frequency characteristics as determined by adaptation and masking procedures. In D. R. Kenshalo (Ed.),Sensory functions of the skin of humans (pp. 183–205). New York: Plenum.
Hahn, J. F. (1968). Low-frequency vibrotactile adaptation.Journal of Experimental Psychology,78, 655–659.
Halata, Z., &Munger, B. L. (1983). The sensory innervation of primate facial skin: II. Vermilion border and mucosa of lip.Brain Research Reviews,5, 81–107.
Hollins, M., Goble, A. K., Whitsel, B. L., &Tommerdahl, M. (1990). Time course and action spectrum of vibrotactile adaptation.Somarosensory & Motor Research,7, 205–221.
Johansson, R. S., &Olsson, K. A. (1976). Micro-electrode recording from human oral mechanoreceptors.Brain Research,118, 307–311.
Johansson, R. S., Trulsson, M., Olsson, K. A., &Westberg, K.-G. (1988). Mechanoreceptor activity from the human face and oral mucosa.Experimental Brain Research,72, 204–208.
Merzenich, M. M., &Harrington, T. (1969). The sense of flutter-vibration evoked by stimulation of the hairy skin of primates: Comparison of human sensory capacity with the responses of mechanoreceptive afferents innervating the hairy skin of monkeys.Experimental Brain Research,9, 236–260.
Munger, B. L., &Halata, Z. (1983). The sensory innervation of primate facial skin: I. Hairy skin.Brain Research Reviews,5, 45–80.
Sakada, S. (1971). Response of Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles in the cat periostea to mechanical stimuli. In R. Dubner & Y. Kawamura (Eds.),Oral-facial sensory and motor mechanisms (pp. 105–122). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Verrillo, R. T. (1963). Effect of contactor area on the vibrotactile threshold.Journal of the Acoustical Society of America,35, 1962–1966.
Verrillo, R. T. (1966). Vibrotactile sensitivity and the frequency response of the Pacinian corpuscle.Psychonomic Science,4, 135–136.
Verrillo, R. T. (1968). A duplex mechanism of mechanoreception. In D. R. Kenshalo (Ed.),The skin senses (pp. 139–159). Springfield, IL: Thomas.
Verrillo, R. T. (1977). Comparison of child and adult vibrotactile thresholds.Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society,9, 197–200.
Verrillo, R. T. (1979). Change in vibrotactile thresholds as a function of age.Sensory Processes,3, 49–59.
Verrillo, R. T., &Ecker, A. D. (1977). Effects of root or nerve destruction on vibrotactile sensitivity in trigeminal neuralgia.Pain,3, 239–255.
Verrillo, R. T., &Gescheider, G. A. (1977). Effect of prior stimulation on vibrotactile thresholds.Sensory Processes,1, 292–300.
Wedell, C. H., &Cummings, S. B., Jr. (1938). Fatigue of the vibratory sense.Journal of Experimental Psychology,22, 429–438.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant DE-07509, and by a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship to K. A. Delemos.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hollins, M., Delemos, K.A. & Goble, A.K. Vibrotactile adaptation on the face. Perception & Psychophysics 49, 21–30 (1991). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211612
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211612