Effects of Differential Spatial Orientation on Tactual Pattern Recognition

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Abstract
This study assessed the effects of variation in the relative spatial orientation of figures on tactual pattern recognition. Metric figures at two levels of complexity, 4 × 4 and 6 × 6, were used. Ss were required to determine which of two choice figures was identical to a previously presented target (identity indicator response) or, if neither of the two choice figures was identical to the target (non-identity indicator response). Two orientation conditions were employed: (1) all figures were oriented in the same direction and (2) choice figures were oriented in different directions relative to the target and to each other. In general, differential orientation degraded both the accuracy and speed of recognition. The negative effects of differential orientation were dependent upon figure complexity and the type of indicator response when perceptual performance was measured in terms of accuracy but not when a speed index was used. Patterns at the low level of complexity were recognized more rapidly than high complexity patterns when a non-identity indicator response was required; no differences between complexity levels were noted with the identity indicator response.

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