Dr José van Velzen - Research projects

Reach out and grasp: Action and perception in dynamic interaction

with Dr Karina Linnell

We effortlessly and skilfully handle objects in daily life and yet reaching for an object in order to grab it requires a coordinated action taking into account the current position of the thumb and index finger, as well as the location of the object part to be grasped. Attention appears to play a major role in this process by focusing ahead of the movement on the intended end-locations of both finger and thumb (Deubel and Schneider, 2005; Linnell et al, 2005), although recent ERP studies suggest that the location of the hand involved is also attended (Eimer et al, 2005, 2006). In the current project, we will compare the extent to which finger, thumb and grasp object locations are attended, also depending on the ‘graspability’ of the object at finger and thumb locations.

Spatial attention will be ‘probed’ during movement planning and execution stages by presenting (i) tactile and visual stimuli to the finger and thumb and (ii) visual stimuli at intended grasp locations. Attention to tactile and visual probes will be indexed by behavioural report and by the amplitude of the electro-physiological (ERP) responses that they induce. The project will be a collaboration with Dr Linnell and Dr Van Velzen, both of whom work in attention and action, one from a behavioural, and the other from an electrophysiological (ERP), perspective.

References

Linnell, K.J., Humphreys, G.W., McIntyre, D.B., Laitinen, S. & Wing, A.M. (2005). Action modulates object-based selection. Vision Research, 45, 2268-2286.

Eimer, M. & Van Velzen, J. (2006). Covert manual response preparation triggers attentional modulations of visual but not auditory processing. Clinical Neurophysiololgy, 117(5), 1063-74.

Eimer, M., Forster, B., Van Velzen, J. & Prabhu (2005). Covert manual response preparation triggers attentional shifts: ERP evidence for the premotor theory of attention. Neuropsychologia, 43(6), 957-66.

Brain mechanisms involved in attentional control in near and far space

Further details to be posted shortly. Please email me j.vanvelzen (@gold.ac.uk) for more information about this project.

Multisensory processing in near and far space

Further details to be posted shortly. Please email me j.vanvelzen (@gold.ac.uk) for more information about this project.

The role of vision in auditory spatial processing

Further details to be posted shortly. Please email me j.vanvelzen (@gold.ac.uk) for more information about this project.