Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffects Research Articles

Hemispheric asymmetry of augmenting/reducing in visual and auditory evoked potentials

The concept of augmenting/reducing (A/R) postulates a central mechanism controlling the intensity of incoming signals and affecting the response to them. Using a kinesthetic figural aftereffect (KFA) task, Petrie (1967) classified as augmenters (Aug) subjects who judged a standard stimulus as larger after kinesthetic stimulation, and reducers (Red) as showing the opposite tendency. The stimulus intensity control mechanism could also be inferred from amplitude changes in evoked potential (EP) components elicited by stimuli of different intensities. The amplitude/intensity slope function of the vertex visual evoked potential (VEP) PIN, component became a standard measure of A/R (Buchsbaum et al. 1983). Although correlations between KFA scores and VEP slope have been reported, the crossmodal stability of A/R has been questioned (Kaskey et al. 1980; Raine et al. 1981). Absence of auditory reducing at the vertex and no correlations between visual and auditory P,N, or

Sensation seeking and augmenting-reducing: Evoked potentials and/or kinesthetic figural aftereffects?

Sensation seeking and augmenting-reducing: Evoked potentials and/or kinesthetic figural aftereffects?

Kinesthetic aftereffect: one phenomenon or two?

Kinesthetic (figural) aftereffect (KAE) studies almost always involve an aftereffect-inducing stimulus (I) that is wider or narrower than the test stimulus (T). I ≠ T has been presumed to be a necessary condition for KAE’s occurrence. We contend that this, in part, reflects researchers’ failure to use an appropriate control condition (here, I = T): Effects due to size difference and effects due to induction per se have been confounded. In a new study, which explored the relationships of I > T and I < T relative to an I = T control condition, I < T did, but I > T surprisingly did not, differ from I = T. Two different KAE phenomena apparently exist: an aftereffect induction phenomenon and a contrast effect. There is also an effect for the I = T condition of decrease in width judgments.

Systematic Changes in Perceptual Reactance Induced by Physical Fitness Training

The effect of life-change events on perceptual augmentation-reduction was studied in 72 subjects (40 men, 32 women). In three experiments the kinesthetic figural aftereffect was measured prior to and after either a physical fitness program, a course in yoga, or training in Transcendental Meditation. Each program lasted a minimum of 8 wk. Subjects completing fitness training, all of whom were initially classified as augmenters, became reducers by the end of their program. Subjects enrolled in yoga and meditation courses remained relatively stable in their perceptual tendencies.

Stimulus augmenting and field dependence in children of alcoholic fathers.

The relationship between paternal alcoholism and two perceptual characteristics, stimulus augmenting and field dependence, was tested in boys and girls aged 10-12. Thirty children of alcoholic fathers, presumed at high risk for the disease because of its familial-genetic component, were compared with 30 children of nonalcoholic parents. Stimulus augmenting was measured by the Kinesthetic Figural After-Effect (KFA) test and field dependence by the Embedded Figures Test (EFT). It was reasoned that the consistent findings of field dependence in alcoholics could be a manifestation of brain damage and the consequent cognitive deficits often found in alcoholics. Thus it was proposed that field dependence would not differentiate the children of alcoholic fathers from those of nonalcoholics. No difference in field dependence was found between the groups, which supports other evidence that alcoholism can lead to field dependence. Since KFA scores revealed a significantly higher incidence of stimulus augmenters in the children of alcoholic fathers, it is proposed that stimulus augmenting is premorbid to alcoholism. It remains unclear, however, whether this phenomenon is due to an environmental or genetic factor.

16 PF correlates of perceptual reactance.

College students (n = 24 males, 36 females) volunteered to take the kinesthetic figural aftereffect task and the 16 PF in a survey of state versus trait personality correlates of perceptual reactance. A reliable emergence of the trait component of perceptual reactance over trials was noted. Perceptual reducers were outgoing, affected by feelings, happy-go-lucky, practical, and undisciplined, while augmenters were reserved, stable, sober, imaginative, and controlled. Findings tend to support the trait model of perceptual reactance, with interference from a state component.

Evidence against “Stimulus-Governed” Biases in Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffects

The kinesthetic figural aftereffect task, as described by Petrie ( 3 ) , has become the definitive method of assessing perceptual reactance. However, research indicates that successive administrations produce carryover effects which bias performance in later testing sessions and, ultimately, result in inaccurate measures of perceptual style (1 ) . In an effort to resolve rhis problem, Baker, Mishara, Kostin, and Parker (2 ) demonstrated that scores from a single session provide a reliable and unbiased measure of perceptual reactance. Baker, et al. ( 2 ) propose, therefore, that single-session assessments be employed as a means of eliminating carryover biases. Peuie (4) has criticized Baker, et a], for their simplification of the procedure, arguing that at least two sessions are necessary to identify and control for the responses of stimulus-governed types. A stimulus-governed individual is one whose perceptions are unstable and determined by the intensity of a current stimulus. On the kinesthetic aftereffect task, for example; such a person would appear to be an augmeater following small-block stimulation and a reducer following large-block stimulation (3 ) . Petrie's ( 4 ) concern over the biases introduced by stimulus-governed types scems from her observation of their high frequency of occurrence in psychopathological populations. Theoretically, during sampling, a large enough number of this type could be selected such that performance on the aftereffect task would be significantly influenced and the results rendered untenable. However, examination of the pathological samples on which Petrie ( 3 ) based this conclusion shows that stimulus-governed types constituted a relatively small percentage of the total sample. A chi squared analysis indicates that rhis percentage is significantly less than what would be expected if Petrie's ( 3 ) assumption about their presence in the total population is correct ( x 2 = 19.32, p < .01). Random sampling, therefore, should effectively distribute this subject error and permit a single session to give valid and reliable assessments.

Demonstration of an aftereffect occurring in the tactile-kinesthetic domain

The aim of this work is the demonstration of a tactile-kinesthetic aftereffect. A sequence of stimuli was offered to adult subjects whose task was to compare two weights presented simultaneously to both hands by means of a Pieron gravimeter. In Experiment 1 the inspection stimuli consisted of two successive presentations of unequal weights for a period of 2 × 10 s. The test stimuli consisted of two equal weights rapidly following an inspection stimulus. Control stimuli consisting of two equal weights not preceded by an inspection stimulus were interspersed in the sequence. The results obtained confirm the existence of a contrast effect after presentation of an inspection stimulus. In Experiment 2 the inspection stimuli consisted of a single presentation of two unequal weights for a period of 20 s. The results confirm those of the first experiment and provide data enabling the contrast effect obtained to be interpreted as a Kohler-type aftereffect. In order to avoid confusion with the kinesthetic-figural aftereffect, we propose to call the effect demonstrated here the “Gravimetric Aftereffect”.

Perceptual reactance and task performance.

57 female subjects participated in a study in which perceptual reactance was assessed by the kinesthetic figural aftereffects test. Subjects identified as augmenters were quicker than reducers on a disjunctive reaction time task and a significant interactive effect was found on a paired-associate task. Augmenters performed better on a similar list while reducers were more effective on a dissimilar list.

Obesity and perceptual reactance.

Similarities in anomalous perception of internal gastric states and sensitivity to distraction among the obese to variations in perceptual reactance suggest that the obese tend to augment the intensity of visceral cues associated with hunger. It was hypothesized that the obese would be overrepresented at the augmenter end of the perceptual reactance continuum. Thirteen obese (six male, seven female) and 14 nonobese (eight male, six female) college students participated in a study in which perceptual reactance was assessed by degree of Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffect (KFA). A highly significant relationship in the predicted direction was observed for perceptual reactance category and mean percent weight deviation. Additionally, there was a highly significant interaction of sex by category, with the hypothesized relationship intensified for the female Ss. Results supported interpretation of obesity as a consequence of animalous perception of cues associated with consuming behavior.

The effects of dextroamphetamine on kinesthetic figural aftereffects

The effect of dextroamphetamine, primarily a central stimulant, on kinesthetic figural aftereffects (KFAEs) was examined. The subjects were selected after preliminary testing with the Eysenck Personality Inventory and were classified into three groups: extraverts, ambiverts, and introverts. d-Amphetamine was used at three dose levels and a control group was included for purposes of comparison. The 3 X 4 randomized block design was replicated ten times. KFAEs were measured under two sets of conditions, i.e., before and after the induction experience. The results support the following conclusions: (1) neither personality grouping nor drug treatment during preinduction trials significantly affected KFAE; (2) both types of variables were, however, significantly related to behavior during the postinduction trials; (3) the extraverted subjects showed larger KFAEs than ambiverted and introverted subjects under placebo condition; (4) the extent of KFAE was reduced in extraverted and enhanced in introverted subjects under the influence of the drug; (5) there were significant interactions between the drug treatments and personality variables in effects on KFAE.

Perceived exertion and stimulus intensity modulation.

Perceptual augmentation and reduction were considered contrasting styles of Stimulus Intensity Modulation. Differences in perceived exertion between augmenters and reducers were determined for three cycle ergometer work loads. Subjects were 20 males having similar physiological characteristics. Stimulus Intensity Modulation was determined by kinesthetic figural aftereffect. Augmenters rated their perceptions of physical exertion to be more intense than reducers at 450, 750 and 1050 kpm/min. Differences in physiological responses between augmenters and reducers were not significant at the three work loads. Style of Stimulus Intensity Modulation appeared differentially to influence perceived exertion at the work levels studied.

EVOKED RESPONSE AND KINESTHETIC MEASURES OF AUGMENTING/REDUCING IN SCHIZOPHRENICS

This study represents an attempt to replicate the central results of earlier work on stimulus intensity control. It uses a diverse sample of 40 hospitalized schizophrenic subjects, both chronic and acute. Two measures of stimulus intensity control were used: the Petrie kinesthetic figural aftereffects procedure (KFA), and the EEG method of average evoked response (AER). Finding the earlier results generally applicable, it presents a model of the function of stimulus intensity control in schizophrenia, which suggests that acute schizophrenics are particularly vulnerable to being inundated by stimuli, and therefore, that in order to protect themselves, they tend to reduce the perceived intensity of stimuli. Chronic schizophreniics have higher AER amplitudes and reduce less than acutes, suggesting that among chronics, the reducing mechanism either never was present or failed, whereas paranoid schizophrenics tend to be augmenters--a response style consistent with vigilant scanning.

A psychophysiological influence on the choice of illicit drugs

The variable of “augmenting” and “reducing,” as measured by kinesthetic figural aftereffects, was found to relate to the choice of amphetamines or barbiturates as a predominant drug, and differences were also found between males and females within each drug category. At the conceptual level, the need for stimulation (“nStim”) is presented as a hypothetical construct which relates the KFA measure to the choice of drug. The strength of the relationship and the significance of the results suggest the possible use of the KFA test in determining the appropriateness of prevention and treatment methods, which are typically applied without the specific consideration of the need for stimulation.

Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffects in Acute Schizophrenia: A Style of Processing Stimuli?

The Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffect test was administered to 106 psychiatric inpatients to assess styles of stimulus processing in schizophrenia. Three conditions were used: (1) standard stimulus conditions at the acute phase; (2) standard conditions, 7 wk. later, to evaluate stability over time; (3) reversed stimulus conditions to assess kinesthetic figural aftereffect generality under different stimulus conditions. Results indicated that: (1) schizophrenics reduced stimuli, but differences between patient groups were not significant. (2) Kinesthetic figural aftereffect stability over time was shown by nonschizophrenics (p less than .01) but not by schizophrenic and borderline patients. (3) All diagnostic groups reversed kinesthetic figural aftereffect responses under reversed stimulus conditions, e.g., former "augmenters" tended to reduce more under agumenting conditions, suggesting the importance of the specific stimulus conditions. (4) Acute schizophrenics showed a stimulus-governed style. (5) The results raise questions about kinesthetic figural aftereffects as a measure of response style.

Contrast and stimulus intensity in kinesthetic figural aftereffects with normal and schizophrenic subjects.

A proprioceptive size estimation task was used to assess the magnitude of kinesthetic figural aftereffects between schizophrenics and normals. College students (controls) demonstrated the largest kinesthetic figural aftereffects. Acute schizophrenics showed less responsivity than normals to proprioceptive stimulation and chronic schizophrenics manifested the lowest mean kinesthetic figural aftereffects score of the three groups. The results were discussed as evidence in support of the hypothesis of a proprioceptive deficit in schizophrenia. The results also were interpreted as casting some doubt on the validity of the concept of kinesthetic control of stimulus intensity in schizophrenic size-estimation performance.

CONTRAST AND STIMULUS INTENSITY IN KINESTHETIC FIGURAL AFTEREFFECTS WITH NORMAL AND SCHIZOPHRENIC SUBJECTS

-A proprioceptive size estimation task was used to assess the magnitude of kinesthetic figural aftereffects between schizophrenics and normals. College students (controls) demonstrated the largest kinesthetic figural aftereffects. Acute schizophrenics showed less responsivity than normals to proprioceptive stimulation and chronic schizophrenics manifested the lowest mean kinesthetic figural aftereffects score of the three groups. The results were discussed as evidence in support of the hypothesis of a proprioceptive deficit in schizophrenia. The results also were interpreted as casting some doubt on the validity of the concept of kinesthetic control of stimulus intensity in schizophrenic size-estimation performance.

Perceptual modulation and variability in psychiatric patients.

In an attempt to differentiate neurophysiologically between major subcategories of psychiatric illness, averaged visual evoked responses (AER) to four intensities of light and kinesthetic figural aftereffects tasks were completed by neurotic depressed, psychotic depressed, schizophrenic, and normal control subjects. Psychotic depressive patients (unipolar depressed) showed greater variability and augmentation compared to the other subgroups. The relative augmentation was manifest in both AER and in kinesthetic figural aftereffects. The neurotic depressed group could not be distinguished from the normal control group on the basis of neurophysiologic studies. These findings are discussed in light of some previous studies of bipolar and unipolar depressed subjects which taken together indicate unipolar depressed subjects are augmentors but not extreme augmentors as the bipolar group.

Kinesthetic figural aftereffects: norms from four samples, and a comparison of methods for classifying augmenters, moderates, and reducers.

Prior studies into the validity of Petrie's hypothesized augmentation-reduction dimension have apparently assumed that there is a linear relationship between scores from the Petrie variant of the kinesthetic figural aftereffects task and external validity variables. Empirical evidence for this assumption is either lacking or contradictory and it is here argued that the possibility of non-linear relationships should be explored systematically. Studies of this task typically involve small samples, however, making it difficult to ascertain whether both extremes of the augmentation-reduction dimension are adequately represented. Normative data are therefore presented from four samples, and the comparability of several methods which can be used to classify individuals as Augmenters, Moderates, and Reducers is explored.

Relationship between dimensions of cognitive style: field-articulation control and stimulus-intensity control.

There has been only one study with normals which examines relationships among Silverman's three dimensions of attention (cf. Silverman &amp; King, 1970). The present study examined the relationship between scores of normal females on tasks that correlate with factors interpreted as field-articulation control and stimulus-intensity control. No significant linear or curvilinear relationships were obtained from Ss' scores on the rod-and-frame test and the kinesthetic figural aftereffects' test. These results support the belief that field-articulation control and stimulus-intensity control are independent cognitive controls in normals.