The role of proprioceptive feedback in positioning responses.

Abstract

The purpose of the present experiment was to determine the accuracy of positioning responses as pressure and distance information was varied, using a task where visual feedback was delayed. Eleven different force-displacement conditions were used to provide the variation in information. The subject''s task was to compenstae for the displacement of a spot of light from the center of an oscilloscope screen by moving a stick control the proper distance and in the proper direction. Eleven subjects were used, each serving under all 11 conditions. The results showed that relative error and variability decrease with distance moved but that pressure variation has no apparent effect on the measures. Further, the effect of variation in distance was found to be greatest at the smallest displacements within a condition. It was concluded that, in positioning responses made in the absence of visual feedback, displacement is the more crucial dimension of the force-displacement relationship of a control.