24 men and 24 women college students estimated the sizes of 13 body stimuli and 13 nonbody objects by adjusting markers on a horizontal rod and by drawing 1:4 scale pictures of their own bodies. Data were scores expressing response size as a percentage of stimulus size. In both response modes, percentage scores for body stimuli assumed a pattern that was not evident in estimates of nonbody-object sizes. Combinations of body parts, judged as a unit, were underestimated relative to estimates of component body parts judged separately. Ss free drawings of the human figure, rated for disturbance in body image, were not significantly related to size-estimations of body or non-body stimuli.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BartonM. I., & WapnerS.Apparent length of body parts attended to separately and in combination. Percept. mot. Skills, 1965, 20, 904.
2.
BenderM. B.Disorders in perception: with particular reference to the phenomena of extinction and displacement. Springfield, Ill.: Thomas, 1952.
3.
FisherS.Body reactivity gradients and figure drawing variables. J. consult. Psychol., 1959, 23, 54–59.
4.
FisherS.A further appraisal of the body boundary concept. J. consult. Psychol., 1963, 27, 62–74.
