Perception of Tactile Route Configurations by Blind and Sighted Observers

Simple tactile route configurations were explored by blindfolded sighted subjects, congenitally blind subjects, and adventitiously blinded subjects. Subjects had to choose matching configurations from sets of alternatives. Configurations were constructed with single, narrow double, or wide double lines. Subject groups generally explored single line configurations faster than double line configurations. Single lines also appeared to enhance subjects’ ability to form accurate mental representations. Congenitally blind subjects took less time to explore and form representations of the spatial configurations, but memory for the configurations was comparable across all subject groups.

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