Categorization and action: What about object consistence?

Categorization studies have focused on the importance of a variety of perceptual properties (shape, size,
weight). The present study explored whether the softness or hardness of an object might influence the
way we categorize and consider category members. Of additional interest was whether information on
consistence is automatically activated and whether it is modulated by the kind of task and of response
modality. Three experiments demonstrated that information on consistence is automatically activated,
and it helps us to distinguish between artefacts and natural objects. Interestingly, the results are in agreement
with the simulation hypothesis; namely, when we consider artefacts, we simulate using them and
information on their consistence is activated; this simulation is modulated by the task. The way we differently
process artefacts and natural objects across the experiments confirms the simulation hypothesis
and our sensitivity to the response modality.