The Effect of Specific Tool Actions on Distance Estimation Open Access

Abstract

Using a tool that extends one's reach leads participants to estimate stimuli as closer than when pointing without a tool. According to the action-specific account of perception, such effects are the result of the perceptual system incorporating the specific affordances and consequences of a tool. Alternatively, such effects may result from an expanded representation of near space. Accumulating behavioral and neurological research has demonstrated that an individual's representation of near space expands with the introduction of a tool that extends reach. Thus, as one's representation of near space expands, objects may appear closer. The current study examined the effects of tool actions with varying consequences (tapping vs. pushing vs. pulling) and magnitude, on distance estimations in order to begin dissociating these accounts. Adult participants were asked to act on a target object by pointing with their finger (no tool condition) or using a baton to tap it, push it a short or long distance, or pull it a short or long distance (tool conditions). Afterwards, they performed distance estimations using a visual matching task. Our results revealed that participants significantly underestimated the target distance when using a tool to tap the object as compared to the pointing condition. However, we found no such underestimation when participants pushed or pulled the object and no effect of action magnitude. We interpret our results in regards to the competing accounts described above and discuss future studies.

Table of Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………1

Present Study……………………………………………………………………..6

Methods…………………………………………………………………………………..7

Participants……………………………………………………………………….7

Apparatus and Stimuli……………………………………………………………7

Procedure…………………………………………………………………………9

Results…………………………………………………………………………………...10

Discussion……………………………………………………………………………….13

Role of Effort……………………………………………………………………14

Methodological Differences…………………………………………………….15

Future Research…………………………………………………………………16

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………17

References………………………………………………………………………………18

Figure 1, Testing Environment………………………………………………………….23

Figure 2, Task Diagram…………………………………………………………………24

Figure 3, Graph of Mean Estimates across Distances…………………………………..25

Figure 4, Graph of Average Difference Scores…………………………………………26

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Psychology
Degree	MA
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Cognitive
Keyword	Perception Near Space Tool Use Space Distance Estimation
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Lourenco, Stella, Emory University
Committee Members	Lilienfeld, Scott O, Emory University Namy, Laura, Emory University

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