Master's Theses

Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The existence of a previously unreported tactile illusion involving the apparent reversal of direction of movement on the skin surface when touching a rotating object was demonstrated. Other pure haptic illusions, as well as tactile illusions representing modifications of known visual illusions, were reviewed and contrasted with this new phenomenon. In addition, this study investigated possible age effects on the perception of this new haptic illusion using twelve female Subjects in each of three age groups (25-39, 40-59, 60+). Both narrow and wide rotating disks were used to see if the amount of skin in contact with the moving surface influenced the reversal illusion. The phenomenon of visual override was investigated by comparing reported haptic reversals with impaired vision and unimpaired vision. For each of the three age groups, the number of reversals for surface widths of the rotating disk for the haptic illusion for each impaired and unimpaired vision trail was recorded (task 1). The study also examined the possible influence of higher order cognitive functioning on the perception if this haptic illusion by relating the number of reported haptic reversal of movement to the number of reported haptic reversal of movement to the number of reversals reported for the Necker Cube illusion for each subject. Finally, each subject completed a questionnaire dealing with measures of cautiousness and risk-taking to determine if the subjective reports of the experiencing of this illusion might have been related to individual’s cautiousness in reporting covertly experience events.

Keywords

Women, Hays (Kan.), Testing, Illustrations, Touch, Age

Advisor

Dr. Cameron Camp

Date of Award

Spring 1980

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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