We investigated whether 6- and 7-year-olds and 9- and 10-yearolds,
as well as adults, process object dimensions independent of
or in interaction with one another in a perception and action task
by adapting Ganel and Goodale’s method for testing adults (Nature,
2003, Vol. 426, pp. 664–667). In addition, we aimed to confirm
Ganel and Goodale’s results in adults to reliably compare their processing
strategies with those of children. Specifically, we tested the
abilities of children and adults to perceptually classify (perception
task) or grasp (action task) the width of a rectangular object while
ignoring its length. We found that adults process object dimensions
in interaction with one another in visual perception but independent
of each other in action, thereby replicating Ganel and
Goodale’s results. Children processed object dimensions interactively
in visual perception, and there was also some evidence for
interactive processing in action. Possible reasons for these differences
in object processing between children and adults are
discussed.