Independence of perceptual and sensorimotor predictions in the size–weight illusion
Abstract
The smaller of two equally weighted objects is judged to be heavier when lifted. Here we disproved a leading hypothesis that this size-weight illusion is caused by a mismatch between predicted and actual sensory feedback. We showed that when subjects repeatedly lifted equally heavy large and small objects in alternation, they learned to scale their fingertip forces precisely for the true object weights and thus exhibited accurate sensorimotor prediction. The size-weight illusion nevertheless persisted, suggesting that the illusion can be caused by high-level cognitive and perceptual factors and indicating that the sensorimotor system can operate independently of the cognitive/perceptual system.
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Stronger grip forces are indicative of an expectation of heaviness, as shown in previous literature.
“with stronger grip forces taken to be indicative of an expectation of heaviness, as extensively shown in previous literature [45,47].”
From Testing predictive coding theories of autism spectrum disorder using models of active inference (2023) · cites this paper as [45]
Grip and lifting forces are believed to be distinct from the perceptual illusion of felt heaviness in the size-weight illusion paradigm.
“Grip and lifting forces are believed to be distinct from the perceptual illusion of felt heaviness in the SWI paradigm [45,47,59].”
From Testing predictive coding theories of autism spectrum disorder using models of active inference (2023) · cites this paper as [45]
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“Grip and lifting forces are believed to be distinct from the perceptual illusion of felt heaviness in the SWI paradigm [45,47,59].”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
- Authors
- Flanagan, J. R., & Beltzner, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Queen's University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Flanagan, J. Randall
- ORCID
- Flanagan, J. Randall
- Venue
- Nature Neuroscience
- Published
- 2000-07
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 737-741
- ISSN
- 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
- 1546-1726
- OpenAlex
- W1496144481
- Cited by
- 454
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 3.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Multisensory perception and integration
- Keywords
- size-weight illusion, sensorimotor prediction, perceptual prediction, object weight perception, sensory feedback, motor learning
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Fingers, Humans, Illusions, Male, Middle Aged, Psychomotor Performance, Size Perception, Weight Perception, Hand Strength
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