The more they move the less they know: Cutaneous capture of kinesthesis?

Abstract

Blindfolded participants felt pairs of “rivalrous” stimuli simultaneously, one with each index finger. The stimuli presented at each fingertip were 180° rotations of each other (e.g. <and>). Participants moved one index finger which caused a raised line to move underneath the other, stationary, index finger, in a yoked manner. Thus, when a <was traced with the moving finger it caused a> to be felt at the stationary finger. On all trials there was a raised line moving underneath the stationary finger. For the moving finger, a raised line was present on only one-third of the trials. When a raised line could be felt at the moving fingertip, the angle followed by this finger was invariably reported in conjunction with the angle present at the other (stationary) fingertip. However, when no line was present under the moving finger (i.e. when movement became the major cue for shape), participants almost always reported experiencing only the angle presented to the stationary fingertip - capturing the angle followed by the moving finger. Results are interpreted in light of optimal integration, bistable figures and inattentional blindness.