Cite as:
Linkenauger S A, Mohler B J, Proffitt D R, 2011, "Body-based perceptual rescaling revealed through the size – weight illusion" Perception 40(10) 1251 – 1253
Download citation data in RIS format

Short and sweet
Body-based perceptual rescaling revealed through the size – weight illusion

Sally A Linkenauger, Betty J Mohler, Dennis R Proffitt

Abstract. An embodied approach to the perception of spatial layout contends that the body is used as a ‘perceptual ruler’ with which individuals scale the perceived environmental layout. In support of this notion, previous research has shown that the perceived size of objects can be influenced by changes in the apparent size of hand. The size – weight illusion is a well known phenomenon, which occurs when people lift two objects of equal weight but differing sizes and perceive that the larger object feels lighter. Therefore, if apparent hand size influences perceived object size, it should also influence the object’s perceived weight. In this study, we investigated this possibility by using perceived weight as a measure and found that changes in the apparent size of the hand influence objects’ perceived weight.

Restricted material:

 Full-text PDF size: 187 Kb

 References  5 references, 2 with DOI links ()

Your computer (IP address: 54.234.42.16) has not been recognised as being on a network authorised to view the full text or references of this article. If you are a member of a university library that has a subscription to the journal, please contact your serials librarian (subscriptions information).