Oxyopia Abstract

April 29, 2005
Wednesday, 11 AM
510 Tolman Hall

Dennis Proffitt, PhD
Department of Psychology, University of Virginia
Host: Yang Dan

Title

Embodied Perception and the Economy of Action

Abstract

Perception informs us about the opportunities for action and their associated energetic costs. To this end, we perceive the spatial layout of the ground, not only as a function of relevant optical and ocular-motor variables, but also as a function of the metabolic costs associated with performing intended actions. For example, as the effort associated with walking an extent increases, perceived distance increases if people anticipate walking the extent but not if they anticipate throwing a ball that distance. Conversely, as the effort associated with throwing increases, perceived distance increases if people anticipate throwing but not if they anticipate walking. Perceiving spatial layout combines the geometry of the world with our behavioral goals and the energetic costs required to achieve these goals.

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