What hands know about objects; taking perception of hills out of context: a response to Durgin (2013)

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2013 Oct;144(2):459-61. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2013.07.013. Epub 2013 Sep 4.

Abstract

In a recent paper, we provided independent evidence on the accuracy of 'haptically' measured geographical slant perception (Taylor-Covill & Eves, 2013). Durgin (2013) argues that the devices used in our work, namely the palm-board, and palm-controlled inclinometer (PCI), are not measures of perception. In response, we outline four failures of replication in the laboratory work of Durgin and colleagues on which they base their model of slant perception. We also highlight fundamental differences between the perceptual tasks Durgin and colleagues ask of participants relative to those of Proffitt and colleagues' traditional measures. These subtle differences might help explain how the two groups have arrived at discrepant conclusions.

Keywords: 2300; 2323; 2330; Geographical slant; Haptic perception; Proprioception; Slant perception.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hand / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Space Perception*
  • Touch Perception*