The near-hand effect on the visual processing of objects in a sample of
right-handed, normal vision adults
Abstract
Past studies have evinced that the perception of near-hand objects is
qualitatively different from that of far-hand objects. However, as the
influence of test anxiety during tasks of visual processing has never
been considered, this study aims to assess whether the presence of hand
alters/biases the visual processing of objects while controlling for the
effect of test anxiety. A sample of 30 participants aged 22-55 years old
was recruited through convenience sampling and performed a cognitive
task based on the Posner paradigm of Inhibition of Return (Posner et
al., 1985) during which they held their hand on their lap in the control
condition and next to the screen in the experimental one. Their test
anxiety was assessed retroactively through the Test Anxiety Profile
(Oetting & Deffenbacher, 1980, as cited in Gass and Curiel, 2011). A
correlation was performed between test anxiety and Reactions Times (RTs)
scores, and an analysis of variance was computed with the presence of
the hand and the validity of trials as independent variables and RTs as
the dependent variable. Next, an analysis of covariance included test
anxiety as the covariate. The presence of the hand altered/biased the
visual processing of stimuli, and participants shifted their attention
between items faster in the experimental condition. Participants’ test
anxiety did not mediate the near-hand effect. This study provides
insights into the development of multitouch devices and their
applications in the educational setting.