Abstract

Previous research has shown that different grasping actions selectively influence the processing of simple visual features based on their relevance to the specific action. However, it remains uncertain if this interaction extends to abstract and higher-order information, such as global configuration extracted from an array of visual objects. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of different grasping types on the processing of configural shape information in visual working memory (VWM). In Experiment 1, participants engaged in a VWM change detection task while adopting either power- or precision-grasping postures. The availability of configural shape information was manipulated through the presence or absence of surrounding circles around oriented bars. The results showed that configural shape information in the memory array overall benefited participants’ change detection performance. Importantly, the effect of configural shape on memory performance was modulated by grasping type, specifically, showing a greater configural benefit under precision-grasping compared to power-grasping. Experiment 2 replicated these findings while controlling for differences in the physical appearance of stimuli across conditions. Together, the findings highlight the role of grasping type in modulating the processing of configural shape information. This modulation could potentially be mediated by the distinct visual pathways associated with the specific content of configural shape information and with different types of hand grasping.

Committee Chair

Dr. Richard A. Abrams

Committee Members

Dr. Ian Dobbins Dr. Julie Bugg

Degree

Master of Arts (AM/MA)

Author's Department

Psychology

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Winter 12-21-2023

Language

English (en)

Author's ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1732-6485

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