Cross-modal transfer of forms between vision and touch

Cross-modal transfer (CMT) of figures was studied by varying stimulus complexity and age (9, 11, 14 years). Matched groups learned two series of 10 figures each (simple familiar and complex meaningless), one group first visually and then factually (V-T) and the other in reversed order (T-V), scanning time being unlimited. After learning the figures the Ss drew them from memory. These reproductions were mostly whole figures. CMT was significant in both directions. In the simple figure series transfer was regarded as symmetric, whereas the results for the complex figures suggested that the T-V order was more efficient. Transfer did not increase with age, but each age group had features typical of it.