The effect of density and diameter on haptic perception of rod length

Three experiments on the effect of density and diameter on haptic perception of rod length are reported. In Experiment 1, the subjects wielded visually occluded rods of different densities. Perceived length was found to be affected by the density of the rod regardless of the actual length. In Experiment 2, three aluminum rods of different lengths with handles of four different diameters were wielded. Perceived length of the rod was found to be shorter as the diameter of the handle with which it was wielded increased. A diameter—length illusion was thereby produced. In Experiment 3, visually occluded rods of different diameters but of the same moment of inertia about thex-axis were wielded with the right hand, and tubes of different diameters were felt with the left hand. The subjects were instructed that their right hand was grasping a handle, and that the actual diameter of the rod could be felt with the left hand. Rods were perceived to be shorter if a larger diameter was felt with the left hand. The results showed that perceived length is not just a function of actual rod length, and that it is not accounted for by inertia only. The results are further discussed in terms of the nature of invariants and the effect of knowledge on perception.