Integrated studies on relation between physical properties of fabrics and brain mechanisms underlying Shitsukan perception

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25871058
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Kansei informatics; Home economics/Human life
• Research Institution: Nara Women's University
• Principal Investigator: Yasukawa Ryoko 奈良女子大学, 生活環境学部, 特任助教 (30646633)
• Research Collaborator: GODA Naokazu 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域, 助教 ; KOMATSU Hidehiko 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域, 教授
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 質感 / 繊維材料 / 風合い / 視覚 / 触覚 / 感覚的印象

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated relation between mechanical property and neural representation of “Shitsukan” of fabric, by combining measurements of physical properties of fabrics (Kawabata Evaluation System, KES), psychophysical evaluation of “Shitsukan” of them, and brain activity measurement with functional MRI (fMRI). First, we examined how simple visuo-haptic experience (seeing and touching) on fabrics affected the Shitsukan impression of the fabrics. The results obtained with psychophysical and fMRI experiments revealed that visuo-haptic experience changed visual Shitsukan perception and brain activity in some parts of the visual area in the human brain. Second, a separate study using commercial fabrics showed that there was a high correlation between physical properties of fabrics and psychological impression such as cool-warm and thin-thickness feeling. These results give insights into the Shitsukan factor of fabric and information processing underlying Shitsukan perception.

Free Research Field

染色加工学　被服整理学