Simplicity as a principle in tactual form perception

Abstract

Simplicity was operationally defined using measurable characteristics of stimuli. High correlations between these objective models and S’s rank ordering of stimuli along a simplicity-complexity continuum permitted the application of the “simplicity” principle to active touch form perception. The comparison of two methods of stimulus presentation for active touch showed that a “whole” method using simultaneous presentation of stimuli was superior to a “part” method using paired comparisons. The information processing capacity of S for tasks employing active touch was also discussed.