Generation of Synthetic Male and Female Walkers through Manipulation of a Biomechanical Invariant

Synthetic versions of human walkers were generated by computer as point-light displays. Previously it had been determined that the natural gaits of males and females differ according to the extent of movement at the shoulder and the hip. These movements were measured and then used to synthesize the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Perception (London) 1978-01, Vol.7 (4), p.393-405
Main Author: Cutting, James E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomechanical Phenomena
Computers
Cues
Female
Gait
Hip - physiology
Humans
Male
Models, Structural
Motion Perception
Movement
Sex Factors
Shoulder - physiology
Visual Perception
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Summary:Synthetic versions of human walkers were generated by computer as point-light displays. Previously it had been determined that the natural gaits of males and females differ according to the extent of movement at the shoulder and the hip. These movements were measured and then used to synthesize the stimuli used in the present study. These stimuli are shown here to be identified by untrained viewers as male when the shoulder movement is greater than the hip movement, and female when the configuration is reversed. Because of the coherence of the display lights representing the shoulder and hip are not necessary for gender recognition, although they do increase performance level. Hypernormality and heavy-footedness in gait are also discussed. Finally, all results are linked to an underlying biomechanical invariant, the center of moment.
ISSN:0301-0066
1468-4233
DOI:10.1068/p070393