Keeping the world a constant size: object constancy in human touch

Nat Neurosci. 2004 Mar;7(3):219-20. doi: 10.1038/nn1199. Epub 2004 Feb 15.

Abstract

The perceived size of objects touching different regions of skin varies across the body surface by much less than is predicted from variations in tactile receptor density. Here we show that altering the visual experience of the body alters perceived tactile distances. We propose that the brain attempts to preserve tactile size constancy by rescaling the primary, distorted body-surface representation into object-centered space according to visual experience of the body.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arm / innervation
  • Arm / physiology
  • Body Image*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illusions / physiology
  • Male
  • Mechanoreceptors / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Skin / innervation
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Touch / physiology*