Abstract
Subjects made magnitude estimates of the roughness of metal gratings by both active and passive touch (with object movement). The perceived magnitude of surface roughness and the consistency of such judgments were identical under the two modes of tactual examination. The results have implications for sensory physiology studies of the cutaneous peripheral mechanisms that underlie texture. They also question the prevailing notion in somethesis and tactual perception that active touch is always superior to passive touch.
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Day, R. H., & Dickinson, R. G. Learning to identify braille numerals with active and passive touch. Unpublished research note, Monash University.
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This research was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Grant A9854. Thanks are extended to R. Harris and L. Baxter for conducting the research and to J. Loomis and D. Williams for helpful comments on previous drafts of the manuscript.
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Lederman, S.J. The perception of surface roughness by active and passive touch. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 18, 253–255 (1981). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333619
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333619