When objects are close to me: affordances in the peripersonal space. P

We investigate, using language, which motor information is automatically activated by
observing 3D objects, i.e. manipulation vs. function, and whether this information is modulated by
the objects' location in space. Participants were shown 3D pictures of objects located in
peripersonal vs. extrapersonal space. Immediately after they were presented with function,
manipulation or observation verbs (e.g., "to-drink", "to-grasp", "to-look at") and were required to
judge if the verb was compatible with the presented object.
We found that participants were slower with observation verbs than with manipulation and
function verbs. With both function and manipulation verbs participants were faster when objects
were presented in reachable space. Interestingly, the fastest response times were recorded when
participants read function verbs while objects were presented in the accessible space. Results
suggest that artifacts are first conceived in terms of affordances linked to manipulation and use, and
that affordances are differently activated depending on context.