TY - JOUR

T1 - Look before you leap: Jumping ability affects distance perception

AU - Lessard, David A.

AU - Linkenauger, Sally A.

AU - Proffitt, Dennis R.

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Previous research has demonstrated that changing perceivers' action capabilities can affect their perception of the extent over which an action is performed. In the current study, we manipulated jumping ability by having participants wear ankle weights and examined the influence of this manipulation on the perception of jumpable and un-jumpable extents. When wearing ankle weights, jumpable gaps appeared longer than when not wearing ankle weights; however, for un-jumpable gaps, there was no difference in the apparent gap extent, regardless of whether the participant was wearing ankle weights. This suggests that the perception of a jumpable extent is affected by one's action boundary for jumping, but only if jumping is an action that can be performed over the extent.

AB - Previous research has demonstrated that changing perceivers' action capabilities can affect their perception of the extent over which an action is performed. In the current study, we manipulated jumping ability by having participants wear ankle weights and examined the influence of this manipulation on the perception of jumpable and un-jumpable extents. When wearing ankle weights, jumpable gaps appeared longer than when not wearing ankle weights; however, for un-jumpable gaps, there was no difference in the apparent gap extent, regardless of whether the participant was wearing ankle weights. This suggests that the perception of a jumpable extent is affected by one's action boundary for jumping, but only if jumping is an action that can be performed over the extent.

U2 - 10.1068/p6509

DO - 10.1068/p6509

M3 - Journal article

VL - 38

SP - 1863

EP - 1866

JO - Perception

JF - Perception

SN - 0301-0066

IS - 12

ER -