Haptic Spatial Configuration Learning in Deaf and Hearing Individuals |
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| Authors: | Rick van Dijk Astrid M L Kappers Albert Postma |
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| Institution: | 1. HU University of Applied Sciences School of Sign Language Interpreting, Utrecht, The Netherlands.; 2. Helmholtz Institute, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.; 3. Helmholtz Institute, Physics of Man, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.; 4. VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; 5. Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.; Bielefeld University, Germany, |
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| Abstract: | The present study investigated haptic spatial configuration learning in deaf individuals, hearing sign language interpreters and hearing controls. In three trials, participants had to match ten shapes haptically to the cut-outs in a board as fast as possible. Deaf and hearing sign language users outperformed the hearing controls. A similar difference was observed for a rotated version of the board. The groups did not differ, however, on a free relocation trial. Though a significant sign language experience advantage was observed, comparison to results from a previous study testing the same task in a group of blind individuals showed it to be smaller than the advantage observed for the blind group. These results are discussed in terms of how sign language experience and sensory deprivation benefit haptic spatial configuration processing. |
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