Some principles and new methods of tactile stimulation

The development of methods for investigation of tactile perception under natural conditions is justified by the observation that the sensitivity of a freely exploring body part often exceeds the sensitivity during passive stimulation (Katz, 1925). This paper (a) suggests methods for selective investigation of size, shape, and surface perception under natural conditions, and (b) presents some principles of quantification when objects are used as tactile stimuli. By means of these methods and principles, it is possible to construct any stiff object and to achieve a complete description of the stimulus variables.