Transfer of a Complex Perceptual Skill

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Communication systems that depend upon stimulation of the skin will be more flexible and useful if it is possible to shift to new sets of loci in accordance with the needs of particular situations. However, the feasibility of making such shifts will depend upon the amount of transfer that can be expected. To explore this problem, an experiment was performed in which braille readers served as Ss. They were required to read lines of braille characters with each of eight fingers. Performance was best when the forefingers were used and fell off sharply as the little fingers were approached. Explanations of the results in terms of anatomical, physiological and experiential factors were discussed. Some implications for cutaneous communication systems in general were suggested.