ERIC Number: EJ993772
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Oct
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0096-1523
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Does Ease to Block a Ball Affect Perceived Ball Speed? Examination of Alternative Hypotheses
Witt, Jessica K.; Sugovic, Mila
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, v38 n5 p1202-1214 Oct 2012
According to an action-specific account of perception, the perceived speed of a ball can be a function of the ease to block the ball. Balls that are easier to stop look like they are moving slower than balls that are more difficult to stop. This was recently demonstrated with a modified version of the classic computer game Pong (Witt & Sugovic, 2010). However, alternative explanations can also explain these results without resorting to nonoptical effects on perception. To examine whether blocking ease influences perception, we conducted several experiments. We examined whether the apparent effects were due to the type of perceptual judgment, the timing of the judgment, and the effectiveness of the paddle. The results are consistent with a perceptual explanation, and help build a case that blocking ease can influence perceived speed. (Contains 3 tables, 11 figures and 3 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Problem Solving, Computer Games, Motion, Perceptual Motor Coordination, Experimental Psychology, College Students, Visual Stimuli
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A