The cutaneous perceptions of softness and hardness.

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Abstract
Temperature was found to play an important part in perceptions of softness and hardness. "Warmth itself has the pattern, texture, and lack of boundary which we find in all perceptions of softness; it is diffuse, filmy, and indefinite in boundary. Cold itself has the pattern, texture and boundary which we find in perceptions of hardness; it is compact, uniform, and definitely bounded." There are different degrees of softness and hardness, and it is therefore difficult to give the compulsory conditions in all cases. "The optimal hardness depends upon the following conditions: (1) pressure of the same intensity throughout the area stimulated; (2) a well-defined boundary line; (3) coldness. The optimal softness is conditioned by: (1) pressure of varying intensities throughout the area stimulated; (2) an indefinite boundary line; (3) warmth." Neither intensity of pressure nor movement is a necessary condition. "Extensity, in the sense of being areal rather than punctiform, appears to be compulsory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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