Viewing position and eye-hand preference effects upon anticipation of coincidence

Abstract

These three experiments investigated the effects of the performer's viewing position (from the side or front) of an apparently approaching stimulus (Bassin Anticipation Timer) upon error (AE, CE, VE) in anticipation of coincidence. Exps. 1 and 2 gave no evidence for the superiority of any viewing position for adults. Exp. 3 assessed ipsilateral (right eye and hand) and contralateral (left eye and right hand) preferences of children (ages 5.5 to 10.1 yr.). No evidence was obtained to support the hypothesized increment in performance for contralaterals when the "lead-eye" was the preferred eye; in fact, the descriptive data suggested the reverse. Those with ipsilateral preferences evidenced less AE and VE than contralaterals. Display speed affected performance so greater accuracy occurred at the fast speed in Exps. 1 and 3 whereas the two slower speeds led to less error in Exp. 2. The differential speed effect was interpreted to represent an experience/skill factor.