The effect of discordant sensory information in graphic production: two distinct subject groups

The present study investigated the underlying processes used to cope with discordant sensory information induced in a mirror-drawing task. Two experiments were carried out in which adults copied simple geometrical figures made up of either horizontal and vertical segments or oblique segments meeting at a right angle in both a normal and a mirror condition. Experiment 1 identified individual differences in relation to preferred graphic movement directions; some subjects preserved the visual directions that occurred in normal drawing by reversing the direction of drawing movements (perceived-direction group), while others preserved normal drawing directions that produced reversed visual directions (performed-direction group). Experiment 2 was performed to elucidate whether these two distinct behaviors resulted from different strategies used to cope with visuo-proprioceptive discordances. The main results showed that preference for the perceived directions led to longer pauses, slower movement velocity, greater movement dysfluency, and greater spatial orientation accuracy. By contrast, longer reaction time and greater angular accuracy characterized performance in the performed-direction group. These results were interpreted as indicating that two distinct information-processing strategies can be used when resolving sensory discordance in graphic production.