Grouping by Proximity in Haptic Contour Detection

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2013 Jun 14

PMID 23762364

Citations 4

Authors

Krista E Overvliet

Ralf Th Krampe

Johan Wagemans

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We investigated the applicability of the Gestalt principle of perceptual grouping by proximity in the haptic modality. To do so, we investigated the influence of element proximity on haptic contour detection. In the course of four sessions ten participants performed a haptic contour detection task in which they freely explored a haptic random dot display that contained a contour in 50% of the trials. A contour was defined by a higher density of elements (raised dots), relative to the background surface. Proximity of the contour elements as well as the average proximity of background elements was systematically varied. We hypothesized that if proximity of contour elements influences haptic contour detection, detection will be more likely when contour elements are in closer proximity. This should be irrespective of the ratio with the proximity of the background elements. Results showed indeed that the closer the contour elements were, the higher the detection rates. Moreover, this was the case independent of the contour/background ratio. We conclude that the Gestalt law of proximity applies to haptic contour detection.

Citing Articles

Alpha and beta band correlates of haptic perceptual grouping: Results from an orientation detection task.

Prieto A, Mayas J, Ballesteros S PLoS One. 2018; 13(7):e0201194.

PMID: 30024961 PMC: 6053228. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201194.

Interaction dynamics between grouping principles in touch: phenomenological and psychophysical evidence.

Prieto A, Mayas J, Ballesteros S Psychol Res. 2018; 83(8):1612-1625.

PMID: 29797044 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-018-1029-0.

The role of connectedness in haptic object perception.

Plaisier M, van Polanen V, Kappers A Sci Rep. 2017; 7:43868.

PMID: 28252015 PMC: 5333135. DOI: 10.1038/srep43868.

Perceptual grouping by similarity of surface roughness in haptics: the influence of task difficulty.

Van Aarsen V, Overvliet K Exp Brain Res. 2016; 234(8):2227-34.

PMID: 27010724 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-016-4628-2.

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