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Delay improves performance on a haptic spatial matching task

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Abstract

Systematic deviations occur when blindfolded subjects set a test bar parallel to a reference bar in the horizontal plane using haptic information (Kappers and Koenderink 1999, Perception 28:781–795; Kappers 1999, Perception 28:1001–1012). These deviations are assumed to reflect the use of a combination of a biasing egocentric reference frame and an allocentric, more cognitive one (Kappers 2002, Acta Psychol 109:25–40). In two experiments, we have examined the effect of delay between the perception of a reference bar and the parallel setting of a test bar. In both experiments a 10-s delay improved performance. The improvement increased with a larger horizontal (left–right) distance between the bars. This improvement was interpreted as a shift from the egocentric towards the allocentric reference frame during the delay period.

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Notes

  1. As pointed out by an anonymous referee, the hand-centered frame might also be considered external to the body, and thus in a sense could form an allocentric reference instead. Here we will follow the more classical approach, that whenever a part of the body is used to link features in space to, it is taken as an egocentric reference.

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Acknowledgements

Sander Zuidhoek, Rob van der Lubbe and Albert Postma were supported by a grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO: 440-20-000).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helmholtz Institute, Psychological Laboratory, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Sander Zuidhoek, Rob H. J. van der Lubbe & Albert Postma

  2. Helmholtz Institute, Physics of Man, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Astrid M. L. Kappers

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  1. Sander Zuidhoek
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  2. Astrid M. L. Kappers
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  3. Rob H. J. van der Lubbe
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  4. Albert Postma
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Correspondence to Sander Zuidhoek.

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Zuidhoek, S., Kappers, A.M.L., van der Lubbe, R.H.J. et al. Delay improves performance on a haptic spatial matching task. Exp Brain Res 149, 320–330 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-002-1365-5

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