6th Annual Meeting of the International Multisensory Research Forum
    Home > Papers > Geke Ludden
Geke Ludden

Visual – tactual incongruities as sources of surprise
Multiple Paper Presentation

Geke Ludden
Industrial Design, Delft University of Technology

*Rick Schifferstein
Industrial Design, Delft University of Technology

*Paul Hekkert
Industrial Design, Delft University of Technology

     Abstract ID Number: 17

Abstract
The perception of a product through one sensory modality can create an expectation on what will be perceived through other modalities. However, the sensory information perceived may disconfirm the expectation formed, resulting in a surprise reaction.
In a series of experiments, we studied users’ reactions to products with visual – tactual incongruities. We distinguish between two groups of products that are hypothesized to evoke two different surprise types. Products in the Visible Novelty group look unfamiliar and, therefore, yield an uncertain expectation. Products in the Hidden Novelty group look familiar, but appear to be very different when touched. In addition, we included a control group of products without visual – tactual incongruities. Several measures were used: self-reports of the intensity and the pleasantness of the surprise, analysis of exploratory behaviour, and analysis of facial expression.
We found a clear difference in users’ reactions between the control group and the two surprise groups in most measures. In most cases, the surprises were evaluated as pleasant, but in some cases they appeared unpleasant. Reactions towards products in the two surprise types differed only slightly.
We discuss our findings with reference to theories on the integration of sensory information and the aesthetic appreciation of products.

To be Presented at the Following Symposium:
Experiencing objects through vision and touch
Other papers in this Symposium:

Research
Support Tool
  For this 
non-refereed conference abstract
Capture Cite
View Metadata
Printer Friendly
Context
Author Bio
Define Terms
Related Studies
Media Reports
Google Search
Action
Email Author
Email Others
Add to Portfolio



    Learn more
    about this
    publishing
    project...


Public Knowledge

 
Open Access Research
home | overview | program
papers | organization | schedule | links
  Top