Abstract
The role of efferent and afferent signals in weight discrimination was investigated by using the tonic vibratory reflex contraction of the biceps muscle. Differential thresholds were obtained for two lifting conditions (normal and reflex) and two static conditions (with and without muscular tonus). Normal lifting gave finer discrimination than reflex lifting (Experiment 1). Normal lifting was also superior to the two static conditions (Experiment 2).Within the static conditions, the addition of muscular tonus gave finer discrimination. The reflex lifting condition gave thresholds similar to those for static holding with muscular tonus, lying between those for normal active lifting and those for static pressure. The reflex lifting and pressure-sensing thresholds were very much finer than the previous literature suggests. The relative contributions of efference and afference to weight discrimination are discussed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Békésy, G. von (1947). A new audiometer.Acta Oto-laryngologica,35, 411–422.
Boring, E. G. (1942).Sensation and perception in the history of experimental psychology (pp. 523–535). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Boring, E. G., Langfeld, H. S., &Weld, H. P. (1939).Introduction to psychology. New York: Wiley.
Burke, D., Hagbarth, K.-E., Lofstedt, L., &Wallin, B. G. (1976a). The response of human muscle spindle endings to vibration during isometric contraction.Journal of Physiology (London),261, 695–711.
Burke, D., Hagbarth, K.-E., Lofstedt, L., &Wallin, B. G. (1976b). The response of human muscle spindle endings to vibration of non-contracting muscles.Journal of Physiology (London),261, 673–694.
Cornsweet, T. N. (1962). The staircase-method in psychophysics.American Journal of Psychology,75, 485–491.
Craske, B. (1977). Perception of impossible limb positions induced by vibration.Science,196, 71–73.
DeGail, P., Lance, J. W., &Neilson, P. D. (1966). Differential effects on tonic and phasic reflex mechanisms produced by vibration of muscles in man.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry,29, 1–11.
Ferrington, F. G., Wail, B. S., &Rowe, M. (1977). Human tactile detection thresholds: Modification by inputs from specific tactile receptor classes.Journal of Physiology,272, 415–433.
Gandevia, S. C. (1982). The perception of motor commands or effort during muscular paralysis.Brain,105, 151–159.
Gregory, R. L. (1968). Perceptual illusions and brain models.Proceedings of the Royal Society,171, 279–296.
Hagbarth, K.-E., &Eklund, G. (1966). Motor effects of vibratory muscle stimuli in man. In R. Granit (Ed.),Muscle afferents and motor control. (pp. 177–186). Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell.
Holway, A. H., &Hurvich, L. M. (1937). On the discrimination of minimal differences in weight: I. A theory of differential sensitivity,Journal of Psychology,4, 309–332.
Holway, A. H., &Pratt, C. C. (1936). Weber-ratio for intensive discrimination.Psychological Review,43, 322–340.
Lovatt Evans, C., &Hartridge, H. (Eds.) (1936).Starling’s principles of human physiology (7th ed p. 257). London: Churchill.
Marsden, C. D., Meadows, J. C., &Hodgson, H. J. F. (1969). Observations on the reflex response to muscle vibration in man and its voluntary control.Brain,92, 829–846.
McCloskey, D. I., Ebeling, P., &Goodwin, G. M. (1974). Estimations of weights and tensions and apparent involvement of a “sense of effort.”Experimental Neurology,42, 220–232.
Oberlin, K. W. (1936). Variation in intensive sensitivity to lifted weights.Journal of Experimental Psychology,19, 438–455.
Roland, P. E. (1978). Sensory feedback to the cerebral cortex during voluntary movement in man.Behavioral and Brain Sciences,1, 129–171.
Ross, H. E. (1964). Constant errors in weight judgements as a function of the differential threshold.British Journal of Psychology,55, 133–141.
Ross, H. E. (1969). When is a weight not illusory?Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology,21, 346–355.
Ross, H. E. (1981). How important are changes in body weight for mass perception?Acta Astronautica,8, 1051–1058.
Ross, H. E., &Bischof, K. (1981). Wundt’s views on sensations of innervation: A reevaluation.Perception,10, 319–329.
Ross, H. E., &Reschke, M. F. (1982). Mass estimation and discrimination during brief periods of zero gravity.Perception & Psychophysics,31, 429–436.
Stelmach, G. E. (1979). Motor control. In K. Connolly (Ed.),Psychological Survey Number 2 (pp. 253–271). London: Allen and Unwin.
Synodinos, N., &Ross, H. E. (1979). Water temperature and weight discrimination.Ergonomics,22, 1083–1093.
Waller, A. D. (1891). The sense of effort: An objective study.Brain,14, 179–249.
Weber, E. H. (1978). De pulsu, resorptione, auditu et tactu. In H. E. Ross & D. J. Murray (Trans.),The sense of touch (pp. 55ff & 121–122). London: Academic Press. (Original work published 1834)
Wetherill, G. B., &Levitt, H. (1965). Sequential estimation of points on a psychometric function.British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology,18, 1–10.
Wundt, W. (1874).Grundzüge der physiologischen Psychologie. Leipzig: Engelman.
Wundt, W. (1894).Vorlesungen über die Menschen und Tierseele. In J. E. Creighton & E. B. Titchener (Trans.),Lectures on human and animal psychology (pp. 134–136). London: Swan Sonnenschein. (Original work published 1892)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by a Carnegie award to the first author, and by a grant from the Medical Research Council to the second author.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brodie, E.E., Ross, H.E. Sensorimotor mechanisms in weight discrimination. Perception & Psychophysics 36, 477–481 (1984). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207502
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207502