Pointing in depth is shaped by a natural grasping distance prior

Abstract Vision in depth is distorted. A similar distortion can be observed for pointing to visual targets in depth. It has been suggested that pointing errors in depth reflect the visual distortion. However, much research has suggested that in case visual information is not rich enough, the sensorimotor system involves prior knowledge to optimally plan movement trajectories. Here, we show that pointing in depth is guided by a prior that biases movements toward the natural grasping distance at which object manipulation is usually performed. To dissociate whether pointing is guided by distorted vision only or whether it takes into account a natural grasping distance prior, we adapted pointing movements. Participants received visual feedback about the success of their pointing once the movement was finished. We distorted the feedback to signal either that pointing was not far enough or in separate sessions that pointing was too far. Participants adapted to this artificial error by either extending or shortening their pointing movements. The generalization of pointing adaptation revealed a bias in movement planning that is inconsistent with pointing being guided only by distorted vision but with the involvement of knowledge about the natural grasping distance. Adaptation was strongest for pointing movements to a middle position that corresponds to the natural grassing distance and it was weakest for movements leading away from it. It has been demonstrated that pointing adaptation in depth changes visual perception (Volcic et al., 2013). We also wondered how effects of pointing adaptation on visual space would generalize in depth.