Perceptual independence of size and weight by dynamic touch

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57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Historically, the existence of a size-weight illusion has led to the conclusion that perceptions of size and weight are not independent. A dependence of perceived heaviness on physical volume (perceptual separability), however, is different from a dependence on perceived volume (perceptual independence). Three experiments were conducted to evaluate perceptual independence. The relations between perceived size and weight and physical size and mass were evaluated in Experiment 1. Perceived weight, length, and width were structured only by the corresponding physical variables, whereas variations in volume were not separable from variations in mass. F. G. Ashby and J. T. Townsend's (1986) test for perceptual independence was applied in Experiment 2. Perceived weight was independent of perceived length and volume. Experiment 3 used a magnitude estimation paradigm to investigate the extent to which information-perception relations could be related to the observed patterns of separability and independence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)102-119
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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