Detection radius modulates systematic strategies in unstructured haptic search

Movement strategies were investigated in a one-handed haptic search task where blindfolded sighted participants used either one or five fingers to find a landmark on an unstructured tactile map. Search theory predicts that systematic strategies, such as parallel sweeps and spirals, should be more prevalent when the searcher's detection radius is small (one finger) than when the detection radius is large (five fingers). Movement patterns were classified as either non-systematic or systematic. As predicted by search theory, systematic strategies were more common in one-finger than five-finger searches. Overall, these results indicate that systematic haptic search strategies are used and modulated by detection radius for untrained sighted participants.