The relation between size and apparent heaviness

A formula for the size-weight illusion was derived from the Stevens and Rubin (1970) finding that heaviness functions form a family of power functions that converge at a common point in the vicinity of the heaviest weight that can be lifted. Magnitude estimations of the apparent heaviness of 42 plastic cylinders varying in size and weight were obtained from 20 subjects, who were allowed to use both hands to lift the weights. It was predicted that this would increase the maximum weight that could be lifted, which would, in turn, enhance the magnitude of the illusion (the dependence of heaviness on size). The results supported this and other predictions of the model concerning the dependence of the illusion on weight as well as volume.

[1]  Lee L. Rubin,et al.  Psychophysical scales of apparent heaviness and the size-weight illusion , 1970 .

[2]  D. Cross,et al.  Sequential dependencies and regression in psychophysical judgments , 1973 .

[3]  S. S. Stevens,et al.  Regression effect in psychophysical judgment , 1966 .

[4]  H. Pick,et al.  A developmental and analytic study of the size-weight illusion. , 1967, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[5]  C. Seashore.  Psychology in daily life , 1913 .

[6]  J. C. Stevens,et al.  Families of Converging Power Functions in Psychophysics , 1974 .

[7]  Vincent Di Lollo,et al.  Differences in heaviness in relation to density and weight , 1970 .

[8]  Max F. Meyer,et al.  Psychology, a study of mental life. , 1922 .

[9]  I. Huang,et al.  The Size-Weight Illusion and the “Weight-Density Illusion” , 1945 .

[10]  Norman H. Anderson,et al.  Cross-task validation of functional measurement , 1972 .

[11]  Paul D. Isaac,et al.  Linear regression, structural relations, and measurement error. , 1970 .

[12]  S. S. Stevens,et al.  Ratio scales and category scales for a dozen perceptual continua. , 1957, Journal of experimental psychology.

[13]  H. Robinson.  AN EXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF THE SIZE-WEIGHT ILLUSION IN YOUNG CHILDREN. , 1964, Child development.

[14]  Herbert N. Loomis.  Reactions to equal weights of unequal size. , 1907 .

[15]  R. Davis,et al.  The role of muscular tension in the comparison of lifted weights , 1940 .

[16]  L Sjöberg,et al.  Sensation sclaes in the size-weight illusion. , 1969, Scandinavian journal of psychology.

[17]  Clairice T. Veit,et al.  Scale-flee tests of an additive model for the size-weight illusion , 1974 .

[18]  L. Jarrard.  The role of visual cues in the performance of ergographic work. , 1960, Journal of experimental psychology.

[19]  N. Anderson.  Averaging model applied to the size-weight illusion , 1970 .

[20]  D. Cross,et al.  Some Technical Notes on Psychophysical Scaling , 1974 .

[21]  L. Sjöberg.  A method for sensation scaling based on an analogy between perception and judgment , 1966 .

[22]  P. Sprent.  Models in regression and related topics , 1971 .

[23]  S. S. Stevens.  Perceived Level of Noise by Mark VII and Decibels (E) , 1972 .

[24]  D. M. Green,et al.  The response ratio hypothesis for magnitude estimation , 1974 .

[25]  The development of the weight-volume illusion. , 1967, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[26]  Stephen P. Harshfield,et al.  Weight judgment as a function of apparent density of objects , 1970 .

[27]  F. L. Wells.  Psychology: A Study of Mental Life. By R. S. Woodworth, Ph. D. (New York, Henry Holt & Co., 1921.) , 1922 .