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Cited by 547Multisensory perception and integrationTactile and Sensory InteractionsVisual perception and processing mechanisms

Young Children Do Not Integrate Visual and Haptic Form Information

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Gori, Monica, Del Viva, Michela, Sandini, Giulio, Burr, David C.·2008·Current Biology
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2008.04.036
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Abstract

Several studies have shown that adults integrate visual and haptic information (and information from other modalities) in a statistically optimal fashion, weighting each sense according to its reliability [1, 2]. When does this capacity for crossmodal integration develop? Here, we show that prior to 8 years of age, integration of visual and haptic spatial information is far from optimal, with either vision or touch dominating totally, even in conditions in which the dominant sense is far less precise than the other (assessed by discrimination thresholds). For size discrimination, haptic information dominates in determining both perceived size and discrimination thresholds, whereas for orientation discrimination, vision dominates. By 8-10 years, the integration becomes statistically optimal, like adults. We suggest that during development, perceptual systems require constant recalibration, for which cross-sensory comparison is important. Using one sense to calibrate the other precludes useful combination of the two sources.

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  • Some multisensory abilities are present from early infancy, but children do not integrate information across modalities to reduce sensory uncertainty until age ≥8 y.

    “Although some multisensory abilities are present from early infancy (6–8), in recent studies, children did not integrate information across modalities for shape discrimination, spatial localization, or detection of visual–auditory events until age ≥8 y (9–11).”

    From Fusion of visual cues is not mandatory in children (2010) · cites this paper as [10]

  • Sensory integration for uncertainty reduction did not emerge any earlier within the single modality of vision than across modalities in previous studies.

    “Sensory integration for uncertainty reduction therefore did not emerge any earlier within the single modality of vision than across modalities in previous studies (9, 10).”

    From Fusion of visual cues is not mandatory in children (2010) · cites this paper as [10]

  • The ability to reduce uncertainty by integrating information within a single modality does not necessarily develop any earlier than between modalities.

    “Therefore, the ability to reduce uncertainty by integrating information within a single modality does not necessarily develop any earlier than between modalities (9, 10).”

    From Fusion of visual cues is not mandatory in children (2010) · cites this paper as [10]

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [16]16. Klein, R.E. (1966). A developmental study of perception under conditions of conflicting sensory cues. pp. 2162B-2163B.: University Microfilms No. 6612213.

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Authors
Gori, M., Del Viva, M., Sandini, G., & Burr, D. C.
Affiliations
  • Italian Institute of Technology (IT)
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
Corresponding author
Burr, David C.
ORCID
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-05
Volume
18
Issue
9
Pages
694-698
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cub.2008.04.036
OpenAlex
W2029541601
Cited by
547
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 67 · 2019: 63 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 45 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 23
FWCI
23.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
  • Florence Research (University of Florence) (submittedVersion)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutial Research Information System (University of Genoa) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Multisensory perception and integration
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Keywords
cross-modal integration, visual-haptic integration, perceptual development, size discrimination, orientation discrimination, sensory reliability, perceptual recalibration, young children
MeSH terms
Adult, Child, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Humans, Orientation, Size Perception, Visual Perception

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