Host: The Japanese Society for Cognitive Psychology
Echolocation is a method to localize objects based on the reflection of sound. Sighted individuals can estimate distance from an obstacle by echo cues, whereas the estimates would be systematically biased so that the individuals underestimate or overestimate a target distance (Zahorik, Brungart, & Bronkhorst, 2005). The present study examined the bias in distance estimates by echo cues while manipulating a target distance. Also, the present study examined effects of day (1 or 2 day) and retention period (5, 10, 15 s) on accuracy of the estimates. The results showed that individuals’ estimated distance was approximated to the psychophysical function of a physical target distance. In addition, the accuracy was improved across two days, but no significant effect of the retention period was shown. We suggest that the distance estimates by echo cues is systematically biased, and sighted individuals underestimate or overestimate the target distance.
