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To use or to move: goal-set modulates priming when grasping real tools
Kenneth F Valyear1, Craig S Chapman, Jason P Gallivan
1University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, kvalyear@uoregon.edu.
Experimental Brain Research
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Grasping actions are influenced by intended goals and task context. Priming effects in grasping depend on whether tasks are performed separately or together, impacting object perception and action planning.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Object interaction is fundamental to daily life.
- The way we grasp objects is influenced by our intentions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how grasping goals (grasp-to-move vs. grasp-to-use) and task context affect priming and kinematics.
- To understand the relationship between task goals, context, and the perception of object affordances.
Main Methods:
- Participants grasped familiar kitchen tools for different tasks: grasp-to-move (GTM) and grasp-to-use (GTU).
- Experiments manipulated task presentation: blocked separately (Experiment 1) versus mixed within a block (Experiment 2).
- Kinematics of grasping and reaction times were measured.
Main Results:
- Priming was observed only for grasp-to-use (GTU) in separate blocks, but for both GTU and grasp-to-move (GTM) in mixed blocks.
- Task-dependent differences in grasping kinematics and reaction times were found in both experiments.
- Longer reaction times for GTU suggest more complex planning.
Conclusions:
- Priming of real grasping is modulated by both task goals and the task setting.
- Task context significantly influences how object affordances are perceived and action plans are formed.
- Future actions and intentions play a crucial role in the planning and execution of grasping.
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