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Cañal-Bruland R, Pijpers J R R, Oudejans R R D, 2012, "Close, and a cigar!—Why size perception relates to performance" Perception 41(3) 354 – 356
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Close, and a cigar!—Why size perception relates to performance
R Cañal-Bruland, J R (Rob) Pijpers, Raôul R D Oudejans
Abstract. In baseball batting, golf putting, and dart throwing, successful players estimate the size of the target object to be bigger than their less successful counterparts. While more and more empirical evidence is accumulated supporting the existence of this intriguing phenomenon, an explanation of the processes underpinning this effect remains to be provided. Here, we re-analysed data from a dart throwing experiment to examine the proposal—recently put forward by Proffitt and Linkenauger (in press)—that the variability in target-related performance may serve as a scaling metric for perceived target size which may explain why actors who perform consistently close to the target perceive the target to be bigger. Our results confirm that less variability in target-related performance in darts relates to perceiving the target as being bigger, thereby providing initial support for Proffitt and Linkenauger’s proposal. Restricted material: Your computer (IP address: 50.19.155.235) 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).
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