Weight Illusions and Weight Discrimination—a Revised Hypothesis

1970 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen E. Ross ◽  
R. L. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Sensory Adaptation ◽  
Weight Discrimination ◽  
Optimum Density ◽  
Scaling Process ◽  
Weight Illusion ◽  
Peripheral Sensory ◽  
Weight Illusions

The results of several experiments are reported most of which suggest that there is an optimum density for weight discrimination. This density corresponds to the “non-illusory” density, as determined by the density at which a visible weight is correctly matched with a hidden weight. The greater the illusion (whether of heaviness or lightness) the poorer the discrimination. It is pointed out that similar changes in discrimination occur as a result of peripheral sensory adaptation in many modalities; but that the size-weight illusion, and the associated discrimination changes, must be due to a central scaling process. A theoretical model is suggested.

Virtual Weight Illusion: Weight Perception of Virtual Objects Using Weight Illusions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiro Maehigashi ◽  
Akira Sasada ◽  
Miki Matsumuro ◽  
Fumihisa Shibata ◽  
Asako Kimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Perception ◽  
Virtual Objects ◽  
Weight Illusion ◽  
Weight Illusions

scholarly journals Investigating the Role of Haptic and Visual Perception in the Material-Weight Illusion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Elisabeth Naylor ◽  
Michael Proulx ◽  
Gavin Buckingham
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Visual Perception ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Visual Material ◽  
Optimal Integration ◽  
Weight Illusion ◽  
Weight Illusions

Weight illusions provide a compelling demonstration that prior experience affects perception. Here we investigated how the expectation-inducing modality affected the Material-Weight Illusion (MWI), where dense-looking objects feel lighter than less dense-looking objects. Participants lifted equally-weighted polystyrene, cork, and granite cubes whilst viewing computer-generated images of the cubes in virtual reality (VR). The representation of the object in VR was manipulated to create four illusion-inducing sensory conditions: visual differences only, haptic differences only, congruent visual-haptic differences, and incongruent visual-haptic material differences. Although an MWI was induced in all conditions, whereby the polystyrene object was reported to feel heavier than the granite object, the strength of the MWI differed across conditions, with haptic material cues having a stronger influence on perceived heaviness than visual material cues. These results are consistent with optimal integration theories of multi-modal perception, highlighting that perception reflects individual cues’ reliability and relevance in specific contexts.

When is a Weight not Illusory?

1969 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen E. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Expected Value ◽  
Apparent Weight ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Visible Object ◽  
Proprioceptive Stimulation ◽  
Scaling Process ◽  
Correct Weight ◽  
Weight Illusions

Weight illusions occur whenever some aspect of an object—such as its size, material or colour—arouses the expectation that its weight will be heavier or lighter than it actually is. The direction of the illusion normally contrasts with the expected weight. When objects are hidden from sight and lifted by strings they can provide no misleading cues, and a correct weight-expectation should be achieved after one or two trials. When a visible object has the same physical and apparent weight as a hidden object, it can be defined as non-illusory. Weighted tins and polystyrene blocks of various sizes were compared with hidden weights. Tins were found to be non-illusory when their density was about 1.7, and polystyrene blocks when their density was about 0.14. Weight illusions may be due to a central scaling process which enables a wide range of weights to be estimated, different ranges being selected according to the expected value of the weight. If the selected range is inappropriate an illusion occurs. Changes in expected value could also allow for the operation of “weight-constancy” during changes in proprioceptive stimulation.

The Golf-Ball Illusion: Evidence for Top-down Processing in Weight Perception

Perception ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R Ellis ◽  
Susan J Lederman
Keyword(s):  
Weight Perception ◽  
Equal Weight ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Weight Difference ◽  
Sensory Cue ◽  
Weight Illusion ◽  
Primary Contribution ◽  
Weight Illusions

Theories of weight illusions have traditionally emphasised either the primary contribution of low-level sensory cues or the role of expectation based on knowledge and past experience. Current models of weight illusions lean quite strongly towards sensory-based interpretations. The current experiment raises a problem for such approaches by generating a weight illusion that is difficult to explain other than by the participants' knowledge. Golfers (who expect a weight difference between ball types) reliably judged practice golf balls to weigh more than real golf balls of the same weight. In contrast, non-golfers (who expect no weight difference between ball types) judged practice and real balls of equal weight to weigh the same. Furthermore, within the group of golfers, those who expected the weights of the two ball types to be the most discrepant prior to lifting tended to report the strongest illusions subsequent to lifting. Because there is no low-level sensory cue between ball types that on its own would signal a weight difference, the current finding suggests that there is a top-down component to weight perception that is based on experience with specific objects.

scholarly journals Consilience in the Peripheral Sensory Adaptation Response

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Wong
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Fundamental Result ◽  
Sensory Adaptation ◽  
Extensive Review ◽  
Mathematical Relationship ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adaptation Response ◽  
Peripheral Sensory

Measurements of the peripheral sensory adaptation response were compared to a simple mathematical relationship involving the spontaneous, peak, and steady-state activities. This relationship is based on the geometric mean and is found to be obeyed to good approximation in peripheral sensory units showing a sustained response to prolonged stimulation. From an extensive review of past studies, the geometric mean relationship is shown to be independent of modality and is satisfied in a wide range of animal species. The consilience of evidence, from nearly 100 years of experiments beginning with the work of Edgar Adrian, suggests that this is a fundamental result of neurophysiology.

scholarly journals The size-weight illusion comes along with improved weight discrimination

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0236440
Author(s):  
Christian Wolf ◽  
Knut Drewing
Keyword(s):  
Weight Discrimination ◽  
Weight Illusion

scholarly journals Perceiving and acting upon weight illusions in the absence of somatosensory information

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 1946-1953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Buckingham ◽  
Elizabeth Evgenia Michelakakis ◽  
Jonathan Cole
Keyword(s):  
Material Properties ◽  
Weight Perception ◽  
Visual Appearance ◽  
Fingertip Force ◽  
Object Weight ◽  
Somatosensory Information ◽  
Novel Objects ◽  
Weight Illusion ◽  
Fingertip Forces ◽  
Weight Illusions

When lifting novel objects, individuals' fingertip forces are influenced by a variety of cues such as volume and apparent material. This means that heavy-looking objects tend to be lifted with more force than lighter-looking objects, even when they weigh the same amount as one another. Expectations about object weight based on visual appearance also influence how heavy an object feels when it is lifted. For instance, in the “size-weight illusion,” small objects feel heavier than equally weighted large objects. Similarly, in the “material-weight illusion,” objects that seem to be made from light-looking materials feel heavier than objects of the same weight that appear to be made from heavy-looking materials. In this study, we investigated these perceptual and sensorimotor effects in IW, an individual with peripheral deafferentation (i.e., a loss of tactile and proprioception feedback). We examined his perceptions of heaviness and fingertip force application over repeated lifts of objects that varied in size or material properties. Despite being able to report real weight differences, IW did not appear to experience the size- or material-weight illusions. Furthermore, he showed no evidence of sensorimotor prediction based on size and material cues. The results are discussed in the context of forward models and their possible influence on weight perception and fingertip force control.

Membrane-associated microtubular areays induced in proximal myelinated processes of dorsal root ganglia by large doses of vitamin B6

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 368-369
Author(s):  
V.J. Montpetit ◽  
S. Dancea ◽  
L. Tryphonas ◽  
D.F. Clapin
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglia ◽  
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Model System ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Peripheral Sensory

Very large doses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) are neurotoxic in humans, selectively affecting the peripheral sensory nerves. We have undertaken a study of the morphological and biochemical aspects of pyridoxine neurotoxicity in an animal model system. Early morphological changes in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) associated with pyridoxine megadoses include proliferation of neurofilaments, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complexes. We present in this report evidence of the formation of unique aggregates of microtubules and membranes in the proximal processes of DRG which are induced by high levels of pyridoxine.

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