Visual softness perception can be manipulated through exploratory procedures

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sensory Perception
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Softness perception is multi-dimensional, encompassing attributes like deformability and roughness.
• Exploratory procedures (EPs) are hand motions used to assess material properties during haptic exploration.
• Specific EPs are linked to particular perceived softness dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if observing EPs in videos can manipulate perceived softness attributes.
• To determine if visual information about hand motion influences material judgments.
• To explore the role of optic and mechanical cues in softness perception.

Main Methods:

• Participants viewed videos of materials with congruent and incongruent EPs.
• A semantic differentiation method using 12 softness-related adjectives was employed.
• Two experiments were conducted to test the effect of visual EP exposure.

Main Results:

• Congruent EPs led to higher ratings for corresponding softness dimensions compared to incongruent EPs.
• Participants accurately assessed material properties from visual and mechanical cues alone.
• Manipulating hand motion in videos selectively influenced material-related judgments.

Conclusions:

• Visual observation of EPs can alter perceived softness attributes.
• Haptic feedback is not essential for assessing material properties via optic and mechanical cues.
• Hand motion is a key factor that can be visually manipulated to guide material perception.