scholarly journals Exploring Reference Frame Integration Using Response Demands in a Tactile Temporal-Order Judgement Task

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Kaian Unwalla ◽  
Daniel Goldreich ◽  
David I. Shore
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Temporal Order ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Internal Reference ◽  
Spatial Reference ◽  
Spatial Reference Frames ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Temporal Order Judgement ◽  
Bias Condition

Abstract Exploring the world through touch requires the integration of internal (e.g., anatomical) and external (e.g., spatial) reference frames — you only know what you touch when you know where your hands are in space. The deficit observed in tactile temporal-order judgements when the hands are crossed over the midline provides one tool to explore this integration. We used foot pedals and required participants to focus on either the hand that was stimulated first (an anatomical bias condition) or the location of the hand that was stimulated first (a spatiotopic bias condition). Spatiotopic-based responses produce a larger crossed-hands deficit, presumably by focusing observers on the external reference frame. In contrast, anatomical-based responses focus the observer on the internal reference frame and produce a smaller deficit. This manipulation thus provides evidence that observers can change the relative weight given to each reference frame. We quantify this effect using a probabilistic model that produces a population estimate of the relative weight given to each reference frame. We show that a spatiotopic bias can result in either a larger external weight (Experiment 1) or a smaller internal weight (Experiment 2) and provide an explanation of when each one would occur.

Reliability of the Crossed-Hands Deficit in Tactile Temporal Order Judgements

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Kaian Unwalla ◽  
Hannah Kearney ◽  
David I. Shore
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Temporal Order ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Stimulus Location ◽  
The Other ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Temporal Order Judgement

Abstract Crossing the hands over the midline impairs performance on a tactile temporal order judgement (TOJ) task, resulting in the crossed-hands deficit. This deficit results from a conflict between two reference frames — one internal (somatotopic) and the other external (spatial) — for coding stimulus location. The substantial individual differences observed in the crossed-hands deficit highlight the differential reliance on these reference frames. For example, women have been reported to place a greater emphasis on the external reference frame than men, resulting in a larger crossed-hands deficit for women. It has also been speculated that individuals with an eating disorder place a greater weight on the external reference frame. Further exploration of individual differences in reference frame weighing using a tactile TOJ task requires that the reliability of the task be established. In Experiment 1, we investigated the reliability of the tactile TOJ task across two sessions separated by one week and found high reliability in the magnitude of the crossed-hands deficit. In Experiment 2, we report the split-half reliability across multiple experiments (both published and unpublished). Overall, tactile TOJ reliability was high. Experiments with small to moderate crossed-hands deficits showed good reliability; those with larger deficits showed even higher reliability. Researchers should try to maximize the size of the effect when interested in individual differences in the use of the internal and external reference frames.

scholarly journals Haptic awareness changes when lying down

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaian Unwalla ◽  
Michelle L. Cadieux ◽  
David I. Shore
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Temporal Order ◽  
Bayesian Hierarchical ◽  
Accurate Localization ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Vestibular Information ◽  
Temporal Order Judgement ◽  
Lying Down

AbstractAccurate localization of touch requires the integration of two reference frames—an internal (e.g., anatomical) and an external (e.g., spatial). Using a tactile temporal order judgement task with the hands crossed over the midline, we investigated the integration of these two reference frames. We manipulated the reliability of the visual and vestibular information, both of which contribute to the external reference frame. Visual information was manipulated between experiments (Experiment 1 was done with full vision and Experiment 2 was done while wearing a blindfold). Vestibular information was manipulated in both experiments by having the two groups of participants complete the task in both an upright posture and one where they were lying down on their side. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model, we estimated the perceptual weight applied to these reference frames. Lying participants on their side reduced the weight applied to the external reference frame and produced a smaller deficit; blindfolding resulted in similar reductions. These findings reinforce the importance of the visual system when weighting tactile reference frames, and highlight the importance of the vestibular system in this integration.

scholarly journals Reference frames in spatial communication for navigation and sports: an empirical study in ultimate frisbee players

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Weisberg ◽  
Anjan Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Spatial Reference ◽  
Spatial Reference Frames ◽  
The North ◽  
Communication Task ◽  
Spatial Communication ◽  
Spatial Domains ◽  
Ultimate Frisbee

Abstract Background Reference frames ground spatial communication by mapping ambiguous language (for example, navigation: “to the left”) to properties of the speaker (using a Relative reference frame: “to my left”) or the world (Absolute reference frame: “to the north”). People’s preferences for reference frame vary depending on factors like their culture, the specific task in which they are engaged, and differences among individuals. Although most people are proficient with both reference frames, it is unknown whether preference for reference frames is stable within people or varies based on the specific spatial domain. These alternatives are difficult to adjudicate because navigation is one of few spatial domains that can be naturally solved using multiple reference frames. That is, while spatial navigation directions can be specified using Absolute or Relative reference frames (“go north” vs “go left”), other spatial domains predominantly use Relative reference frames. Here, we used two domains to test the stability of reference frame preference: one based on navigating a four-way intersection; and the other based on the sport of ultimate frisbee. We recruited 58 ultimate frisbee players to complete an online experiment. We measured reaction time and accuracy while participants solved spatial problems in each domain using verbal prompts containing either Relative or Absolute reference frames. Details of the task in both domains were kept as similar as possible while remaining ecologically plausible so that reference frame preference could emerge. Results We pre-registered a prediction that participants would be faster using their preferred reference frame type and that this advantage would correlate across domains; we did not find such a correlation. Instead, the data reveal that people use distinct reference frames in each domain. Conclusion This experiment reveals that spatial reference frame types are not stable and may be differentially suited to specific domains. This finding has broad implications for communicating spatial information by offering an important consideration for how spatial reference frames are used in communication: task constraints may affect reference frame choice as much as individual factors or culture.

Imagine Your Crossed Hands as Uncrossed: Visual Imagery Impacts the Crossed-Hands Deficit

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Lisa Lorentz ◽  
Kaian Unwalla ◽  
David I. Shore
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Internal Reference ◽  
Integration Model ◽  
Tactile Localization ◽  
Tactile Stimuli ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Spatial Coordinates ◽  
Localization Performance ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Successful interaction with our environment requires accurate tactile localization. Although we seem to localize tactile stimuli effortlessly, the processes underlying this ability are complex. This is evidenced by the crossed-hands deficit, in which tactile localization performance suffers when the hands are crossed. The deficit results from the conflict between an internal reference frame, based in somatotopic coordinates, and an external reference frame, based in external spatial coordinates. Previous evidence in favour of the integration model employed manipulations to the external reference frame (e.g., blindfolding participants), which reduced the deficit by reducing conflict between the two reference frames. The present study extends this finding by asking blindfolded participants to visually imagine their crossed arms as uncrossed. This imagery manipulation further decreased the magnitude of the crossed-hands deficit by bringing information in the two reference frames into alignment. This imagery manipulation differentially affected males and females, which was consistent with the previously observed sex difference in this effect: females tend to show a larger crossed-hands deficit than males and females were more impacted by the imagery manipulation. Results are discussed in terms of the integration model of the crossed-hands deficit.

Response Demands and Blindfolding in the Crossed-Hands Deficit: An Exploration of Reference Frame Conflict

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Cadieux ◽  
David I. Shore
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Internal Reference ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Temporal Order Judgments ◽  
Visual Conditions

Performance on tactile temporal order judgments (TOJs) is impaired when the hands are crossed over the midline. The cause of this effect appears to be tied to the use of an external reference frame, most likely based on visual information. We measured the effect of degrading the external reference frame on the crossed-hand deficit through restriction of visual information across three experiments. Experiments 1 and 2 examined three visual conditions (eyes open–lights on, eyes open–lights off, and eyes closed–lights off) while manipulating response demands; no effect of visual condition was seen. In Experiment 3, response demands were altered to be maximally connected to the internal reference frame and only two visual conditions were tested: eyes open–lights on, eyes closed–lights off. Blindfolded participants had a reduced crossed-hands deficit. Results are discussed in terms of the time needed to recode stimuli from an internal to an external reference frame and the role of conflict between these two reference frames in causing this effect.

Spatial frames for motor control would be commensurate with spatial frames for vision and proprioception, but what about control of energy flows?

1995 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. Pagano ◽  
Geoffrey P. Bingham
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Coordinate Frame ◽  
Spatial Coordinate ◽  
Spatial Reference ◽  
Spatial Reference Frames ◽  
Energy Flows ◽  
Spatial Tasks

AbstractThe model identifies a spatial coordinate frame within which the sensorimotor apparatus produces movement. Its spatial nature simplifies its coupling with spatial reference frames used concurrently by vision and proprioception. While the positional reference frame addresses the performance of spatial tasks, it seems to have little to say about movements involving energy expenditure as the principle component of the task.

scholarly journals Reference frames in spatial communication for navigation and sports: An empirical study in ultimate frisbee players

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Marc Weisberg ◽  
Anjan Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Spatial Reference ◽  
Spatial Reference Frames ◽  
The North ◽  
Communication Task ◽  
Spatial Communication ◽  
Spatial Domains ◽  
Ultimate Frisbee

Background: Reference frames ground spatial communication by mapping ambiguous language (for example, navigation: “to the left”) to properties of the speaker (using a body-based reference frame: “to my left”) or the world (environment-based reference frame: “to the north”). People’s preferences for reference frame vary depending on factors like their culture, the specific task in which they are engaged, and differences among individuals. Although most people are proficient with both reference frames, it is unknown whether preference for reference frames is stable within people or varies based on the specific spatial domain. These alternatives are difficult to adjudicate because navigation is one of few spatial domains that can be naturally solved using multiple reference frames. That is, while spatial navigation directions can be specified using environment-based or body-based reference frames (“go north” vs. “go left”), other spatial domains predominantly use body-based reference frames. Here, we used two domains to test the stability of reference frame preference – one based on navigating a four-way intersection, the other based on the sport of ultimate frisbee. We recruited 58 ultimate frisbee players to complete an online experiment. We measured reaction time and accuracy while participants solved spatial problems in each domain using verbal prompts containing either body- or environment-based reference frames. Details of the task in both domains were kept as similar as possible while remaining ecologically plausible so that reference frame preference could emerge. Results: We pre-registered a prediction that participants would be faster using their preferred reference frame type, and that this advantage would correlate across domains; we did not find such a correlation. Instead, the data reveal that people use distinct reference frames in each domain. Conclusion: This experiment reveals that spatial reference frame types are not stable and may be differentially suited to specific domains. This finding has broad implications for communicating spatial information by offering an important consideration for how spatial reference frames are used in communication: task constraints may affect reference frame choice as much as individual factors or culture.

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