An Account of the Systematic Error in Judging What Is Reachable

Authors

Philippe Rochat, Emory University
Maryjane WragaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Publication Title

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance

Abstract

An account of the postural determinants of perceived reachability is proposed to explain systematic overestimations of the distance at which an object is perceived to be reachable. In this account, these errors are due to a mapping of the limits of prehensile space onto a person's perceived region of maximum stretchability, in the context of a whole-body engagement. In support of this account, 6 experiments on the judged reachability of both static and dynamic objects are reported. We tentatively conclude that the mental imagery of action is grounded and calibrated in reference to multiple skeletal degrees of behavioral freedom. Accordingly, this calibration is a source of systematic error in reachability judgments.

Volume

23

Issue

1

First Page

199

Last Page

212

DOI

10.1037/0096-1523.23.1.199

ISSN

00961523

Comments

Archived as published.

Recommended Citation

Rochat, Philippe and Wraga, Maryjane, "An Account of the Systematic Error in Judging What Is Reachable" (1997). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/126