Abstract
In these experiments, two plates were grasped between the thumb and forefinger and squeezed together along a linear track. An electromechanical system presented a constant resistance force during the squeeze up to a predetermined location on the track, whereupon the force effectively went to infinity (simulating a wall) or to zero (simulating a cliff). The task of the subject was to discriminate between two alternative levels of the constant resistance force (a reference level and a reference-plus-increment level). Results of these experiments indicate a just noticeable difference of roughly 7% of the reference force using a one-interval paradigm with trial-by-trial feedback over the ranges 2.5≤F o≤10.0 newtons, 5≤D≤30 mm, 45≤S≤125 mm, and 25≤V≤160 mm/sec, whereF o is the reference force,D is the distance squeezed,S is the initial finger-span, andV is the mean velocity of the squeeze. These results, based on tests with 5 subjects, are consistent with a wide range of previous results, some of which are associated with other body surfaces and muscle systems and many of which were obtained with different psychophysical methods.
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This work was supported by ONR Grams N00014-88-K-0338. N00014-89-J-3247, and N00014-90-J- 1935, NIH Grant 2-R01-DC00126-11, Fairchild foundation funds awarded to X. D. Pang, and a Chu Fellowship to H. Z Tan. The support and contributions of John Hollerbach at all levels of this work are greatly appreciated.
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Pang, X.D., Tan, H.Z. & Durlach, N.I. Manual discrimination of force using active finger motion. Perception & Psychophysics 49, 531–540 (1991). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212187
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212187