Abstract

Structurally, bodies of organisms can be described as tensegrity systems, fractally self-similar from whole-body to cellular levels. Sensory receptors embedded within such somatic tensegrity systems comprise haptic perceptual systems. Because the elements of the organismic tensegrity system are all interconnected, that system becomes the medium for haptic perception. Forces acting on any element of a somatic tensegrity system radiate throughout the entire system and thereby affect the entire haptic medium. All perception, in the ecological view, requires active sampling of stimulus arrays. Such active perception always involves overt body movements, orienting responses, and sensory organ adjustments (e.g., eye movements). Any and all movements occasioned in active perception affect the organismic tensegrity system, and therefore the haptic medium. A surprising consequence is that all active perception necessarily entails tensegrity-based haptic medium involvement, with implications for perceptual research.

摘要

从结构上讲，生物体可以描述为张力系统，从全身到细胞水平都具有分形自相似性。嵌入这种体态紧张系统中的感觉受体包括触觉知觉系统。由于生物张力系统的各个要素相互联系，因此该系统成为触觉感知的媒介。作用于体态张力系统的任何元素上的力会散布在整个系统中，从而影响整个触觉介质。从生态学的角度来看，所有感知都需要对刺激阵列进行主动采样。这种主动知觉总是涉及明显的身体运动，定向反应和感觉器官调节（例如眼球运动）。主动感知中发生的所有运动都会影响机体张力系统，从而影响触觉介质。