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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
09:07
Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations
Published on: September 16, 2015
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Uncertainty modulated exploration in the trade-off between sensing and acting.
Sonal Sengupta1,2, W Pieter Medendorp1, Peter Praamstra1,2
1Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Plos One
|July 7, 2018
Summary
Variability in sensorimotor task switching times is greater when it minimally impacts task uncertainty or when overall uncertainty is high. This suggests an exploratory process driven by uncertainty.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Factors
Background:
- Sensorimotor activities often involve time constraints, creating a trade-off between sensory processing and motor execution.
- Previous research indicates individuals switch from sensing to acting to minimize task outcome uncertainty.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the substantial variability observed in switching times during sensorimotor tasks.
- Correlate switching time variability with underlying sensorimotor uncertainty.
Main Methods:
- Modified virtual ball catching paradigm.
- Manipulated sensory and sensorimotor uncertainty by varying ball velocity and start positions.
- Quantified the dependence of sensory uncertainty on ball velocity.
Main Results:
- Switching time variability increases when changes in timing have minimal impact on sensorimotor uncertainty.
- Switching time variability is greater with higher levels of sensorimotor uncertainty.
- Identified a correlation between switching time variability and sensorimotor uncertainty.
Conclusions:
- Variability in switching times reflects an uncertainty-driven exploratory process.
- The brain may adaptively adjust switching strategies based on task uncertainty.
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