The haptic recognition of geometrical shapes in congenitally blind and blindfolded adolescents: is there a haptic prototype effect?

ABSTRACT:

Background

It has been shown that visual geometrical shape categories (rectangle and triangle) are graded structures organized around a prototype as demonstrated by perception and production tasks in adults as well as in children. The visual prototypical shapes are better recognized than other exemplars of the categories. Their existence could emerge from early exposure to these prototypical shapes that are present in our visual environment. The present study examined the role of visual experience in the existence of prototypical shapes by comparing the haptic recognition of geometrical shapes in congenitally blind and blindfolded adolescents.

Methodology/principal findings

To determine whether the existence of a prototype effect (higher recognition of prototypical shapes th

SUBMITTER: Theurel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3386238 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature