VISUAL-PERCEPTION OF LIFTED WEIGHT FROM KINEMATIC AND STATIC (PHOTOGRAPHIC) DISPLAYS

Observers of patch-light videotape displays can reliably discriminate levels of lifted weight; accuracy of judgments sometimes al,proximates that achieved when the observers themselves Lift weighted boxes. Resu lts of 6 studies reveal impressive levels of visual weight discriminat ion based on static displays (photographs) of certain action phases sa mpled from videos of entire lifting-carrying events. Slow and controll ed actions (e.g., walking, placing box on table) supported optimum wei ght discrimination for both photographic and video displays, whereas t he action of lifting a box yielded high levels of discrimination only for video displays. Static and kinematic specification of dynamics, as well as the work by painters and photographers to depict humans and o ther animals in action: is discussed.