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Campagna M, Chamberlain R. How material sensory properties and individual differences influence the haptic aesthetic appeal of visually presented stimuli. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13690. [PMID: 38871744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63925-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Touch plays a crucial role for humans. Despite its centrality in sensory experiences, the field of haptic aesthetics is underexplored. So far, existing research has revealed that preferences in the haptic domain are related to stimulus properties and the Gestalt laws of grouping. Additionally, haptic aesthetics is influenced by top-down processes, e.g., stimulus familiarity, and is likely to be modulated by personality and expertise. To further our understanding of these influences on haptic aesthetic appraisal, the current study investigated the imagined haptic aesthetic appeal of visually presented material surfaces, considering the role of haptic expertise, Need for touch, personality traits. The results revealed a positive influence of familiarity, simplicity, smoothness, warmth, lightness, dryness, slipperiness and a negative influence of complexity on individuals' aesthetic responses. While the study failed to support the predicted influence of Need for touch and haptic expertise on aesthetic responses, results did reveal an influence of openness to experience, conscientiousness and neuroticism. Despite the limitations related to the indirect stimuli presentation (vision only), the findings contribute to the relatively unexplored role of bottom-up and top-down features in haptic aesthetics that might be incorporated into the design of consumers' products to better meet their preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marella Campagna
- Department of General Psychology and Methodology, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany.
| | - Rebecca Chamberlain
- Department of Psychology of the Arts, Neuroaesthetics and Creativity, Goldsmiths University of London, London, UK
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2
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Marschallek BE, Löw A, Jacobsen T. You can touch this! Brain correlates of aesthetic processing of active fingertip exploration of material surfaces. Neuropsychologia 2023; 182:108520. [PMID: 36813106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The haptic exploration and aesthetic processing of all kinds of materials' surfaces are part of everyday life. In the present study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to investigate the brain correlates of active fingertip exploration of material surfaces and subsequent aesthetic judgments of their pleasantness (feels good or bad?). In absence of other sensory modalities, individuals (n = 21) performed lateral movements on a total of 48 textile and wood surfaces varying in terms of their roughness. Behavioral results confirmed the influence of the stimuli's roughness on aesthetic judgments, with smoother textures being rated as feeling better than rough textures. At the neural level, fNIRS activation results revealed an overall increased engagement of the contralateral sensorimotor areas as well as left prefrontal areas. Moreover, the perceived pleasantness modulated specific activations of left prefrontal areas with increasing pleasantness showing greater activations of these regions. Interestingly, this positive relationship between the individual aesthetic judgments and brain activity was most pronounced for smooth woods. These results demonstrate that positively valenced touch by actively exploring material surfaces is linked to left prefrontal activity and extend previous findings of affective touch underlying passive movements on hairy skin. We suggest that fNIRS can be a valuable tool to provide new insights in the field of experimental aesthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara E Marschallek
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Postbox 700822, 22008, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Löw
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Postbox 700822, 22008, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Jacobsen
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Postbox 700822, 22008, Hamburg, Germany.
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Thundathil M, Nazmi AR, Shahri B, Emerson N, Müssig J, Huber T. Visual-Tactile Perception of Biobased Composites. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:1844. [PMID: 36902959 PMCID: PMC10004420 DOI: 10.3390/ma16051844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Biobased composites offer unique properties in the context of sustainable material production as well as end-of-life disposal, which places them as viable alternatives to fossil-fuel-based materials. However, the large-scale application of these materials in product design is hindered by their perceptual handicaps and understanding the mechanism of biobased composite perception, and its constituents could pave the way to creating commercially successful biobased composites. This study examines the role of bimodal (visual and tactile) sensory evaluation in the formation of biobased composite perception through the Semantic Differential method. It is observed that the biobased composites could be grouped into different clusters based on the dominance and interplay of various senses in perception forming. Attributes such as Natural, Beautiful, and Valuable are seen to correlate with each other positively and are influenced by both visual and tactile characteristics of the biobased composites. Attributes such as Complex, Interesting, and Unusual are also positively correlated but dominated by visual stimuli. The perceptual relationships and components of beauty, naturality, and value and their constituent attributes are identified, along with the visual and tactile characteristics that influence these assessments. Material design leveraging these biobased composite characteristics could lead to the creation of sustainable materials that would be more attractive to designers and consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Thundathil
- School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Ali Reza Nazmi
- School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Bahareh Shahri
- School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Nick Emerson
- School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Jörg Müssig
- The Biological Materials Group, Biomimetics, Faculty 5, HSB–City University of Applied Sciences Bremen, 28199 Bremen, Germany
| | - Tim Huber
- School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 4940 Hautcharage, Luxembourg
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Dynamic touch induces autonomic changes in preterm infants as measured by changes in heart rate variability. Brain Res 2023; 1799:148169. [PMID: 36410429 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth significantly increases the risk of developing various long-term health problems and developmental disabilities. While touch is a crucial component of many perinatal care strategies, the neurobiological underpinnings are rarely considered. C-tactile fibers (CTs) are unmyelinated nerve fibers that are activated by low-force, dynamic touch. Touch directed specifically at CTs activates the posterior insular cortex, consistent with an interoceptive function, and has been shown to reduce heart rate and increase oxygen saturation. The current research compared the effect of five minutes of CT optimal velocity stroking touch versus five minutes of static touch on autonomic markers of preterm infants between 28 and 37 weeks gestational age. CT touch induces a higher increase in heart rate variability metrics related to the parasympathetic system, which persisted for a 5-minute post-touch period. Conversely, there was no such increase in infants receiving static touch. The present findings confirmed that CTs signal the affective quality of nurturing touch, thereby arguing an additional neurobiological substrate for the evident valuable impacts of neonatal tactile interventions and improving the effectiveness of such interventions.
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Russo V, Ottaviani C, Spitoni GF. Affective touch: A meta-analysis on sex differences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:445-452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Manzotti A, Cerritelli F, Esteves JE, Lista G, Lombardi E, La Rocca S, Gallace A, McGlone FP, Walker SC. Dynamic touch reduces physiological arousal in preterm infants: A role for c-tactile afferents? Dev Cogn Neurosci 2019; 39:100703. [PMID: 31487608 PMCID: PMC6969366 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2019.100703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth is a significant risk factor for a range of long-term health problems and developmental disabilities. Though touch plays a central role in many perinatal care strategies, the neurobiological basis of these approaches is seldom considered. C-Tactile afferents (CTs) are a class of unmyelinated nerve fibre activated by low force, dynamic touch. Consistent with an interoceptive function, touch specifically targeted to activate CTs activates posterior insular cortex and has been reported to reduce autonomic arousal. The present study compared the effect of 5 min of CT optimal velocity stroking touch to 5 min of static touch on the heart-rate and oxygen saturation levels of preterm infants between 28- & 37-weeks gestational age. CT touch produced a significant decrease in infants' heart-rates and increase in their blood oxygenation levels, which sustained throughout a 5-min post-touch period. In contrast, there was no significant change in heart-rate or blood oxygenation levels of infants receiving static touch. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that CTs signal the affective quality of nurturing touch, providing a neurobiological substrate for the apparent beneficial effects of neonatal tactile interventions and offering insight for their optimisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Manzotti
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy; Division of Neonatology, "V. Buzzi" Children's Hospital, ASST-FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy; Research Department, SOMA, Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Cerritelli
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy.
| | - Jorge E Esteves
- Gulf National Centre, Foundation COME Collaboration, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; MYO Osteopathy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; University College of Osteopathy, London, UK; Instituto Piaget, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gianluca Lista
- Division of Neonatology, "V. Buzzi" Children's Hospital, ASST-FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Lombardi
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy; Research Department, SOMA, Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona La Rocca
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy; Research Department, SOMA, Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Gallace
- Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francis P McGlone
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, UK; Institute of Psychology, Health & Society, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Susannah C Walker
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
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Emotional visual stimuli affect the evaluation of tactile stimuli presented on the arms but not the related electrodermal responses. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:3391-3403. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Etzi R, Ferrise F, Bordegoni M, Zampini M, Gallace A. The Effect of Visual and Auditory Information on the Perception of Pleasantness and Roughness of Virtual Surfaces. Multisens Res 2018; 31:501-522. [DOI: 10.1163/22134808-00002603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite the large number of studies on the multisensory aspects of tactile perception, very little is known regarding the effects of visual and auditory sensory modalities on the tactile hedonic evaluation of textures, especially when the presentation of the stimuli is mediated by a haptic device. In this study, different haptic virtual surfaces were rendered by varying the static and dynamic frictional coefficients of a Geomagic® Touch device. In Experiment 1, the haptic surfaces were paired with pictures representing everyday materials (glass, plastic, rubber and steel); in Experiment 2, the haptic surfaces were paired with sounds resulting from the haptic exploration of paper or sandpaper. In both the experiments, participants were required to rate the pleasantness and the roughness of the virtual surfaces explored. Exploration times were also recorded. Both pleasantness and roughness judgments, as well as the durations of exploration, varied as a function of the combinations of the visuo-tactile and the audio-tactile stimuli presented. Taken together, these results suggest that vision and audition modulate haptic perception and hedonic preferences when tactile sensations are provided through a haptic device. Importantly, these results offer interesting suggestions for designing more pleasant, and even more realistic, multisensory virtual surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Etzi
- Department of Psychology and NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrise
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Bordegoni
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Zampini
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, CIMeC, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alberto Gallace
- Department of Psychology and NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
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Etzi R, Carta C, Gallace A. Stroking and tapping the skin: behavioral and electrodermal effects. Exp Brain Res 2017; 236:453-461. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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