Functional and dynamic properties of visual peripersonal space
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment
Published on: March 8, 2019
1Dept of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat, 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy
Abstract:
In order to code visual peripersonal space, human and non-human primates need an integrated system that controls both visual and tactile inputs within peripersonal space around the face and the hand, based on visual experience of body parts. The existence of such a system in humans has been demonstrated, and there is evidence showing that visual peripersonal space relating to the hand has important dynamic properties, for example, it can be expanded and contracted depending on tool use. There is also evidence for a high degree of functional similarity between the characteristics of the visual peripersonal space in humans and in monkeys.
Related Concept Videos
Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Gestalt Principles of Perception
Perceptual Constancy
Size constancy is the recognition that an object remains the same size, even when its image on the retina changes. For instance, a bus is perceived to be large enough to carry people, even if it looks tiny from...
Preoperational Thought II: Object Space and Causality
Perceptual Development During Infancy
Vision

