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Tian S, Chen L, Wang X, Li G, Fu Z, Ji Y, Lu J, Wang X, Shan S, Bi Y. Vision matters for shape representation: Evidence from sculpturing and drawing in the blind. Cortex 2024; 174:241-255. [PMID: 38582629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Shape is a property that could be perceived by vision and touch, and is classically considered to be supramodal. While there is mounting evidence for the shared cognitive and neural representation space between visual and tactile shape, previous research tended to rely on dissimilarity structures between objects and had not examined the detailed properties of shape representation in the absence of vision. To address this gap, we conducted three explicit object shape knowledge production experiments with congenitally blind and sighted participants, who were asked to produce verbal features, 3D clay models, and 2D drawings of familiar objects with varying levels of tactile exposure, including tools, large nonmanipulable objects, and animals. We found that the absence of visual experience (i.e., in the blind group) led to stronger differences in animals than in tools and large objects, suggesting that direct tactile experience of objects is essential for shape representation when vision is unavailable. For tools with rich tactile/manipulation experiences, the blind produced overall good shapes comparable to the sighted, yet also showed intriguing differences. The blind group had more variations and a systematic bias in the geometric property of tools (making them stubbier than the sighted), indicating that visual experience contributes to aligning internal representations and calibrating overall object configurations, at least for tools. Taken together, the object shape representation reflects the intricate orchestration of vision, touch and language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingjuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Guochao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yufeng Ji
- Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosha Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiguang Shan
- Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanchao Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
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Evaluating the Use of Tactile Shapes in Associative Learning for People Who Are Blind. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x221124867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: This work investigates if simple two-dimensional (2D) tactile shapes can facilitate encoding, retention, and retrieval of associated information in the form of one-word labels. It also questions the need for the resemblance of tactile graphics with respective visual referents. Methods: Four experiments were conducted using recall tasks with verbal and tactual triggers. Students who are blind from schools for blind students in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) and New Delhi (India) participated in these experiments. Participants learned 12 shapes with assigned (two sets of) one-word labels categorized as consonant, dissonant, or abstract. Recall tasks were conducted after 1 week and after 4 months using verbal and tactual triggers. Results: The results of experiment 1 show that recall performance for consonant associations was higher than that for dissonant and abstract. Experiment 2 shows the recall performance using orally narrated verbal triggers, while experiments 3 and 4 use tactile triggers (both verbal and shape). Additionally, in experiment 4, the participants were observed recalling most associations after 4 months. Tactile verbal triggers (braille) invoked better recall accuracy as compared to tactile shape triggers. Discussion: The results and discussion with schema theory suggest that resemblance to visual referent (or similarity of tactile shape with real-life visual stimuli) is not necessary for learning associated labels. Additionally, simple 2D tactile shapes can support long-term retention of associated verbal information. The presence of primacy effect (better retention of first few associations) and distinctiveness effect (better retention of unique associations). Implications for Practitioners: The inferences of this work can influence the redesign of educational material and pedagogy for students with blindness by: (1) contributing to the development of a standardized set of symbols with associated meanings and using them for book annotation or indicating the genre of a graphic; (2) using simple tactile images instead of complex “visually correct” images.
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Mastandrea S, Kennedy JM. Extension of Dancer's Legs: Increasing Angles Show Motion. Front Psychol 2022; 12:706004. [PMID: 35058830 PMCID: PMC8763676 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.706004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Usain Bolt’s Lightning Bolt pose, one arm highly extended to one side, suggests action. Likewise, static pictures of animals, legs extended, show animation. We tested a new cue for motion perception—extension—and in particular extension of dancer’s legs. An experiment with pictures of a dancer finds larger angles between the legs suggest greater movement, especially with in-air poses and in lateral views. Leg positions graded from simply standing to very difficult front and side splits. Liking ratings (a small range) were more related to Difficulty ratings (a large range) than Movement ratings (a moderate range).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John M Kennedy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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4
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Bouaziz S, Russier S, Magnan A. The Copying of Complex Geometric Drawings by Sighted and Visually Impaired Children. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x0509901204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Bouaziz
- Institut de Psychologie, Laboratoire d'Etude des Mécanismes Cognitifs, Université Lumière Lyon 2, 5 Avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 69676 BRON Cedex, France
| | - Sandrine Russier
- Formation et Insertion pour Déficients Visuels, 52 rue Colombier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Annie Magnan
- Institut de Psychologie, Laboratoire d'Etude des Mécanismes Cognitifs, Université Lumière Lyon 2
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Koustriava E, Papadopoulos K. Mental Rotation Ability of Individuals with Visual Impairments. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x1010400910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Koustriava
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Monegato M, Cattaneo Z, Pece A, Vecchi T. Comparing the Effects of Congenital and Late Visual Impairments on Visuospatial Mental Abilities. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x0710100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study compared participants who were congenitally visually impaired and those who became visually impaired later in life in a spatial memory task. The latter showed less efficient visuospatial processes than did the former. However, these differences were of a quantitative nature only, indicating common cognitive mechanisms that can be clearly differentiated from those of people who are congenitally blind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Monegato
- Department of Psychology, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 6, 27100 Pavia, Italy, and optometrist, Ophthalmology Unit, Melegnano Hospital, Via Pandina 1, Vizzolo Predabissi (MI), Italy
| | | | - Alfredo Pece
- Department chair, Ophthalmology Unit, Melegnano Hospital, Italy
| | - Tomaso Vecchi
- Professor of experimental psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Pavia, Italy
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Heller MA, Kennedy JM, Clark A, Mccarthy M, Borgert A, Wemple L, Fulkerson E, Kaffel N, Duncan A, Riddle T. Viewpoint and Orientation Influence Picture Recognition in the Blind. Perception 2016; 35:1397-420. [PMID: 17214384 DOI: 10.1068/p5460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In the first three experiments, subjects felt solid geometrical forms and matched raised-line pictures to the objects. Performance was best in experiment 1 for top views, with shorter response latencies than for side views, front views, or 3-D views with foreshortening. In a second experiment with blind participants, matching accuracy was not significantly affected by prior visual experience, but speed advantages were found for top views, with 3-D views also yielding better matching accuracy than side views. There were no performance advantages for pictures of objects with a constant cross section in the vertical axis. The early-blind participants had lower performance for side and frontal views. The objects were rotated to oblique orientations in experiment 3. Early-blind subjects performed worse than the other subjects given object rotation. Visual experience with pictures of objects at many angles could facilitate identification at oblique orientations. In experiment 5 with blindfolded sighted subjects, tangible pictures were used as targets and as choices. The results yielded superior overall performance for 3-D views (mean, M = 74% correct) and much lower matching accuracy for top views as targets ( M = 58% correct). Performance was highest when the target and matching viewpoint were identical, but 3-D views ( M = 96% correct) were still far better than top views. The accuracy advantage of the top views also disappeared when more complex objects were tested in experiment 6. Alternative theoretical implications of the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morton A Heller
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston 61920, USA.
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Occelli V, Lacey S, Stephens C, John T, Sathian K. Haptic Object Recognition is View-Independent in Early Blind but not Sighted People. Perception 2015; 45:337-45. [PMID: 26562881 DOI: 10.1177/0301006615614489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Object recognition, whether visual or haptic, is impaired in sighted people when objects are rotated between learning and test, relative to an unrotated condition, that is, recognition is view-dependent. Loss of vision early in life results in greater reliance on haptic perception for object identification compared with the sighted. Therefore, we hypothesized that early blind people may be more adept at recognizing objects despite spatial transformations. To test this hypothesis, we compared early blind and sighted control participants on a haptic object recognition task. Participants studied pairs of unfamiliar three-dimensional objects and performed a two-alternative forced-choice identification task, with the learned objects presented both unrotated and rotated 180° about they-axis. Rotation impaired the recognition accuracy of sighted, but not blind, participants. We propose that, consistent with our hypothesis, haptic view-independence in the early blind reflects their greater experience with haptic object perception.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Lacey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Careese Stephens
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USARehabilitation R&D Center of Excellence, Atlanta VAMC, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Thomas John
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - K Sathian
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USARehabilitation R&D Center of Excellence, Atlanta VAMC, Decatur, GA, USA
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9
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Baumgartner E, Wiebel CB, Gegenfurtner KR. A comparison of haptic material perception in blind and sighted individuals. Vision Res 2015; 115:238-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pawluk DTV, Adams RJ, Kitada R. Designing Haptic Assistive Technology for Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON HAPTICS 2015; 8:258-278. [PMID: 26336151 DOI: 10.1109/toh.2015.2471300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This paper considers issues relevant for the design and use of haptic technology for assistive devices for individuals who are blind or visually impaired in some of the major areas of importance: Braille reading, tactile graphics, orientation and mobility. We show that there is a wealth of behavioral research that is highly applicable to assistive technology design. In a few cases, conclusions from behavioral experiments have been directly applied to design with positive results. Differences in brain organization and performance capabilities between individuals who are "early blind" and "late blind" from using the same tactile/haptic accommodations, such as the use of Braille, suggest the importance of training and assessing these groups individually. Practical restrictions on device design, such as performance limitations of the technology and cost, raise questions as to which aspects of these restrictions are truly important to overcome to achieve high performance. In general, this raises the question of what it means to provide functional equivalence as opposed to sensory equivalence.
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11
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Segond H, Weiss D, Kawalec M, Sampaio E. Perceiving space and optical cues via a visuo-tactile sensory substitution system: a methodological approach for training of blind subjects for navigation. Perception 2013; 42:508-28. [PMID: 23964377 DOI: 10.1068/p6339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A methodological approach to perceptual learning was used to allow both early blind subjects (experimental group) and blindfolded sighted subjects (control group) to experience optical information and spatial phenomena, on the basis of visuo-tactile information transmitted by a 64-taxel pneumatic sensory substitution device. The learning process allowed the subjects to develop abilities in spatial localisation, shape recognition (with generalisation to different points of view), and monocular depth cue interpretation. During the training phase, early blind people initially experienced more difficulties than blindfolded sighted subjects (having previous perceptual experience of perspective) with interpreting and using monocular depth cues. The amelioration of the performance for all blind subjects during training sessions and the quite similar level of performance reached by two groups in the final navigation tasks suggested that early blind people were able to develop and apply cognitive understanding of depth cues. Both groups showed generalisation of the learning from the initial phases to cue identification in the maze, and subjectively experienced shapes facing them. Subjects' performance depended not only on their perceptual experience but also on their previous spatial competencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Segond
- Faculté de Psychologie, Laboratoire de Psychologie des Cognitions EA 4440, Université de Strasbourg (UdS), 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Papadopoulos K, Koustriava E. Piaget's water-level task: the impact of vision on performance. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2011; 32:2889-2893. [PMID: 21696918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the aim was to examine the differences in performance between children and adolescents with visual impairment and sighted peers in the water-level task. Twenty-eight individuals with visual impairments, 14 individuals with blindness and 14 individuals with low vision, and 28 sighted individuals participated in the present study. Fourteen sighted individuals participated blindfolded and 14 were able to use their sight. The findings indicate that use of vision can influence the performance in water-level task. However, in the restriction of visual ability (participants with blindfold), individuals with blindness might present better performance than blindfolded sighted participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Papadopoulos
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia St, PO Box 1591, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Lawson R, Bracken S. Haptic Object Recognition: How Important are Depth Cues and Plane Orientation? Perception 2011; 40:576-97. [DOI: 10.1068/p6786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Raised-line drawings of familiar objects are very difficult to identify with active touch only. In contrast, haptically explored real 3-D objects are usually recognised efficiently, albeit slower and less accurately than with vision. Real 3-D objects have more depth information than outline drawings, but also extra information about identity (eg texture, hardness, temperature). Previous studies have not manipulated the availability of depth information in haptic object recognition whilst controlling for other information sources, so the importance of depth cues has not been assessed. In the present experiments, people named plastic small-scale models of familiar objects. Five versions of bilaterally symmetrical objects were produced. Versions varied only in the amount of depth information: minimal for cookie-cutter and filled-in outlines, partial for squashed and half objects, and full for 3-D models. Recognition was faster and much more accurate when more depth information was available, whether exploration was with both hands or just one finger. Novices found it almost impossible to recognise objects explored with two hand-held probes whereas experts succeeded using probes regardless of the amount of depth information. Surprisingly, plane misorientation did not impair recognition. Unlike with vision, depth information, but not object orientation, is extremely important for haptic object recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lawson
- School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK
| | - Sarah Bracken
- School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK
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14
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Picard D, Lebaz S, Jouffrais C, Monnier C. Haptic recognition of two-dimensional raised-line patterns by early-blind, late-blind, and blindfolded sighted adults. Perception 2010; 39:224-35. [PMID: 20402244 DOI: 10.1068/p6527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the role of visual experience and visual imagery in the processing of two-dimensional (2-D) tactile patterns. The performance of early-blind (EB), late-blind (LB), and blindfolded sighted (S) adults in the recognition of 2-D raised-line patterns was compared. We also examined whether recognition of 2-D tactile patterns depends on the type of memory strategy (eg spatial, visuo-spatial, verbal, and kinesthetic) used by EB, LB, and S participants to perform the task. Significant between-group differences in the recognition performance have not been found despite significant between-group differences in self-reported memory strategies. Recognition performance does not vary significantly with the strategy, but correlates positively with visuo-spatial imagery abilities in the S participants. These findings may be taken to suggest that the difficulties some blind people experience with tactile pictures are not due to difficulties in processing 2-D tactile patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Picard
- Université Toulouse II--Le Mirail, Pavilion de la Recherche, Octogone-ECCD, 5 all6es Antonio Machado, 31058 Toulouse, France.
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15
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Perceptual learning of view-independence in visuo-haptic object representations. Exp Brain Res 2009; 198:329-37. [PMID: 19484467 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-009-1856-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that cross-modal recognition of unfamiliar objects is view-independent, in contrast to view-dependence within-modally, in both vision and haptics. Does the view-independent, bisensory representation underlying cross-modal recognition arise from integration of unisensory, view-dependent representations or intermediate, unisensory but view-independent representations? Two psychophysical experiments sought to distinguish between these alternative models. In both experiments, participants began from baseline, within-modal, view-dependence for object recognition in both vision and haptics. The first experiment induced within-modal view-independence by perceptual learning, which was completely and symmetrically transferred cross-modally: visual view-independence acquired through visual learning also resulted in haptic view-independence and vice versa. In the second experiment, both visual and haptic view-dependence were transformed to view-independence by either haptic-visual or visual-haptic cross-modal learning. We conclude that cross-modal view-independence fits with a model in which unisensory view-dependent representations are directly integrated into a bisensory, view-independent representation, rather than via intermediate, unisensory, view-independent representations.
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Fiehler K, Reuschel J, Rösler F. Early non-visual experience influences proprioceptive-spatial discrimination acuity in adulthood. Neuropsychologia 2009; 47:897-906. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2008.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2008] [Revised: 12/14/2008] [Accepted: 12/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Heller MA, Riddle T, Fulkerson E, Wemple L, Walk AM, Guthrie S, Kranz C, Klaus P. The Influence of Viewpoint and Object Detail in Blind People When Matching Pictures to Complex Objects. Perception 2009; 38:1234-50. [DOI: 10.1068/p5596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We examined haptic viewpoint effects in blindfolded-sighted (BS) and visually impaired subjects: early blind (EB), late blind (LB), and very low vision (VLV). Participants felt complex objects and matched tangible pictures to them. In experiment 1, the EB and BS subjects had similar overall performance. Experiment 2 showed that the presence of a detail on the target object lowered performance in the BS subjects, and that matching accuracy was lower overall for top views for the blind subjects. In experiments 3–5, EB, LB, VLV, and BS subjects made judgments about perspective pictures of a model house with more salient object details. In experiment 3, performance was higher for side views than for corner views. Elevated side views were identified more readily than elevated corner views in experiment 4. Performance for top views was higher than for elevated side views in experiment 5, given the relative simplicity of the top-view depictions and salient details. The EB and BS participants had somewhat lower matching accuracy scores than the other groups. We suggest that visual experience is helpful, but not essential for picture perception. Viewpoint effects may vary with experience and object complexity, but the relevant experience need not be specifically visual in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morton A Heller
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Tara Riddle
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Erin Fulkerson
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Lindsay Wemple
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Anne McClure Walk
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Stephanie Guthrie
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Crystal Kranz
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Patricia Klaus
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
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Lacey S, Peters A, Sathian K. Cross-modal object recognition is viewpoint-independent. PLoS One 2007; 2:e890. [PMID: 17849019 PMCID: PMC1964535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2007] [Accepted: 08/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research suggests that visual and haptic object recognition are viewpoint-dependent both within- and cross-modally. However, this conclusion may not be generally valid as it was reached using objects oriented along their extended y-axis, resulting in differential surface processing in vision and touch. In the present study, we removed this differential by presenting objects along the z-axis, thus making all object surfaces more equally available to vision and touch. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Participants studied previously unfamiliar objects, in groups of four, using either vision or touch. Subsequently, they performed a four-alternative forced-choice object identification task with the studied objects presented in both unrotated and rotated (180 degrees about the x-, y-, and z-axes) orientations. Rotation impaired within-modal recognition accuracy in both vision and touch, but not cross-modal recognition accuracy. Within-modally, visual recognition accuracy was reduced by rotation about the x- and y-axes more than the z-axis, whilst haptic recognition was equally affected by rotation about all three axes. Cross-modal (but not within-modal) accuracy correlated with spatial (but not object) imagery scores. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The viewpoint-independence of cross-modal object identification points to its mediation by a high-level abstract representation. The correlation between spatial imagery scores and cross-modal performance suggest that construction of this high-level representation is linked to the ability to perform spatial transformations. Within-modal viewpoint-dependence appears to have a different basis in vision than in touch, possibly due to surface occlusion being important in vision but not touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lacey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Andrew Peters
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - K. Sathian
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Rehabilitation Research and Development Center of Excellence, Decatur, Georgia, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Effects of late visual impairment on mental representations activated by visual and tactile stimuli. Brain Res 2007; 1148:170-6. [PMID: 17368576 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2006] [Revised: 01/25/2007] [Accepted: 02/14/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Similarly to sighted people, individuals congenitally affected by a severe visual impairment can maintain and mentally manipulate spatial information about tactile stimuli [Vecchi, T., Cattaneo, Z., Monegato, M., Pece, A., Cornoldi, C., Pietrini, P., 2006. Why Cyclops could not compete with Ulysses: monocular vision and mental images. NeuroReport 17, 723-726]. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the onset timing of a severe (but not total) sight loss may influence spatial imagery abilities based on haptic input. To this purpose, a group of late severe visually impaired people and a matched group of normally sighted participants (all blindfolded) were presented with an imagery task requiring to memorize and retrieve a number of locations presented on tactile matrices. Results indicate that a severe visual deficit occurring later in life significantly impairs spatial imagery abilities to a greater extent than in the case of congenital blindness, probably as a consequence of a modest development of specific compensatory mechanisms associated with congenital deficits.
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Abstract
Esref is a congenitally totally blind man, practiced in drawing. He was asked to draw solid and wire cubes situated in several places around his vantage point. He used foreshortening of receding sides and convergence of obliques, in approximate one-point perspective. We note that haptics provides information about the direction of objects--the basis of perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Kennedy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
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21
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Sribunruangrit N, Marque CK, Lenay C, Hanneton S, Gapenne O, Vanhoutte C. Speed-accuracy tradeoff during performance of a tracking task without visual feedback. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2004; 12:131-9. [PMID: 15068196 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2004.824222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To help people with visual impairment, especially people with severely impaired vision, access graphic information on a computer screen, we have carried out fundamental research on the effect of increasing the number of detection fields. In general, application of the parallelism concept enables information to be accessed more precisely and easily when the number of sensors is high. We have developed a "Braille Box" by modifying Braille cells to form a tactile stimulator array which is compatible with the fingertip. Each pin can be controlled independently so that we can change the size and type of array in order to study the tactile perception of both simple and complex graphical forms. Our results show that by applying the parallelism concept to the detection field, people with visual impairment can increase the speed of exploration of geometric forms without decreasing the level of accuracy: thus, avoiding a speed-accuracy tradeoff. Further experiments need to be done with this Braille Box in order to improve the device and help people with visual impairment access graphic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitiphan Sribunruangrit
- Biomécanique et Génie Biomédical, University of Technology of Compiegne, 60205 Compiegne, France
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Heller MA, Wilson K, Steffen H, Yoneyama K, Brackett DD. Superior haptic perceptual selectivity in late-blind and very-low-vision subjects. Perception 2003; 32:499-511. [PMID: 12785487 DOI: 10.1068/p3423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Blindfolded sighted, congenitally blind, late-blind, and very-low-vision subjects were tested on a tangible version of the embedded-figures test. The results of ANOVAs on accuracy measures yielded superior performance by the very-low-vision and late-blind subjects compared with the blindfolded sighted and congenitally blind participants. Accuracy of the congenitally blind subjects was similar to that of the blindfolded sighted participants. However, all groups of blind subjects were significantly faster than the blindfolded sighted subjects. It is suggested that experience with pictures combined with haptic skill aid perceptual selectivity in touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morton A Heller
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Physical Sciences Building, Charleston, IL 61920, USA.
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Abstract
Gaia, a totally blind girl, was asked to make raised-line drawings. Gaia's vision at best was peripheral. She draws out of interest, and has drawn since preschool with encouragement from her mother. She was asked to draw objects and scenes involving depth from a vantage point, eg a table from below, two cars (one behind the other), and two parallel rows of apples (receding from her, on a table top). Gaia represented space in her drawings using T-junctions for overlap, height in the picture plane, parallel projection, and inverse projection. That is, Gaia uses features of systems common in sighted children's drawings. The development of drawing in blind and sighted children may be similar in good measure because haptics provides access to many of the same spatial principles as vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Kennedy
- Division of Life Sciences (Psychology), University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
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