Touch and Focus: The Recognition of Tactile Experiences

Publication Date

Spring 4-16-2025

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

SPARK Category

Research

Faculty Advisor

Michael Oliver

SPARK Session

Sensation & Perception II 11:45-12:45 Ayers 2080

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

This investigation aims to evaluate the accuracy of tactile object recognition while completing a higher-load cognitive task. Tactile experiences are not only prominent in our understanding of human perception and sensation, but also in our memory retention (Novak and Schwan, 2021). Many studies suggest that typical individuals use multisensory integrations of different regions during tactile memory (Gallace and Spence, 2009). The intervention, which involves researchers exposing four different textured objects on participants lower arm while they are engaging in their respective cognitive tasks, will be implemented in a laboratory room with only the researchers and materials necessary present. Participants will be assigned to either the experimental cohort, which involves playing a game of Temple Run, or the control cohort, which involves listening to an excerpt, while researchers perform the procedure. Data collection will consist of a screening questionnaire, demographics survey, game score, and tactile object recall. While data analysis is ongoing, we anticipate that this intervention will lead to an understanding of the activation of various brain regions responsible for the sensation of objects. Further details on the results and their implications will be presented upon completion of the study.

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