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Open Access 01-05-2008 | Review

The haptic perception of spatial orientations

Authors: Edouard Gentaz, Gabriel Baud-Bovy, Marion Luyat

Published in: Experimental Brain Research | Issue 3/2008

Abstract

This review examines the isotropy of the perception of spatial orientations in the haptic system. It shows the existence of an oblique effect (i.e., a better perception of vertical and horizontal orientations than oblique orientations) in a spatial plane intrinsic to the haptic system, determined by the gravitational cues and the cognitive resources and defined in a subjective frame of reference. Similar results are observed from infancy to adulthood. In 3D space, the haptic processing of orientations is also anisotropic and seems to use both egocentric and allocentric cues. Taken together, these results revealed that the haptic oblique effect occurs when the sensory motor traces associated with exploratory movement are represented more abstractly at a cognitive level.

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Title: The haptic perception of spatial orientations
Authors: Edouard Gentaz
Gabriel Baud-Bovy
Marion Luyat
Publication date: 01-05-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Experimental Brain Research / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0014-4819
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1106
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1382-0

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The haptic perception of spatial orientations

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