THE NATURE AND CAPABILITIES OF THE CUTANEOUS SENSES.
Abstract
Maintenance and operational personnel frequently obtain information concerning the status of their equipment and environment from other than visual or auditory cues. In many instances these cues were not intentionally provided for by the equipment designer. This report is based on the assumption that system performance can be significantly improved through planning and d4sign for systematic use of man's 'secondary' sensory capabilities. The text of the report summarizes what is known about the cutaneous senses as they relate to troubleshooting, maintenance, and the more general problem of machine-to-man communication. Separate discussions are included for touch and pressure,vibration, temperature, moisture, oiliness, stickiness and texture. Characteristics of each sense are described in terms of theory, method of stimulation, stimulus dimensions and their perceptual correlates, the range through which stimuli are effective and useful, thresholds for detection and differentiation of stimuli, adaptation, and interactions with environmental conditions. The bibliography includes a relatively exhaustive set of references pertaining to the secondary senses, in general, i.e., smell and taste as well as the cutaneous senses. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0643266
Entities
People
- Billy M. Crawford
- N. Katherine Copeland Barnes
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory