The Psychophysics of Kinesthesis for Positioning Responses: The Physical Stimulus-Psychological Response Relationship |
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| Authors: | Patrick F Parks |
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| Institution: | Elysian Fields High School , Elysian Fields, Texas , USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The physical stimulus-psychological response relationship has been described as being either a prothetic or a metathetic continuum. That is, as the stimulus intensity increases, the response magnitude increases (prothetic) or stays the same (metathetic). The first experiment of this study considered this relationship for a movement having the final limb position, or location, as its goal. The second experiment focused on an extent movement. Subjects were tested on a linear positioning apparatus in both experiments using the method of constant stimuli for determining thresholds. On the basis of the Weber ratios and the JND's for the three increasing movement locations and extents, a metathetic continuum was determined as best describing location movements, while a prothetic continuum was considered more appropriate for extent movements. JND's indicated sensitive discrimination for location movements (1.08 to 1.39 cm for 25 to 75 cm locations) and less precise discrimination capability for extent movements (2.49 to 5.76 cm for 25 to 75 cm extents). Results are discussed in terms of their possible implications for addressing issues related to mechanisms subserving active kinesthesis, and in terms of their implications for experimental procedures for learning and memory investigations using discrete positioning responses. |
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| Keywords: | psychophysics of kinesthesis metathetic vs prothetic location and extent movements Weber's Law |
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