Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
06:53
Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
The self in action: lessons from delusions of control
1Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK. cfrith@fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk
Consciousness and Cognition
|August 16, 2005
Summary
Patients with delusions of control experience heightened awareness of movement consequences, leading to a false belief in external control. Normally, we are less aware of actions, feeling natural agency over our movements.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology of Agency
Background:
- Delusions of control are a key symptom in certain psychiatric disorders.
- Understanding the sense of agency is crucial for explaining these delusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensory and intentional aspects of movement control in patients with delusions of control.
- To contrast the experience of self-agency in these patients with healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- The study likely involved comparing patients experiencing delusions of control with a control group.
- Methods may include tasks assessing awareness of action consequences and intentionality.
Main Results:
- Patients with delusions of control exhibit abnormal awareness of sensory feedback from actions.
- They struggle with real-time movement adjustments, impairing their sense of self-control.
- Despite this, they retain a strong awareness of intentionality, attributing actions to external forces.
Conclusions:
- Heightened sensory awareness and impaired online correction contribute to delusions of control.
- The normal sense of agency involves minimal conscious experience of action execution.
- This research sheds light on the neural and cognitive underpinnings of agency and its disruption.
Related Concept Videos
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about the way you...
01:14Rotter's Locus of Control
Julian Rotter introduced the concept of locus of control, a cognitive factor that significantly influences personality development and learning. Locus of control refers to an individual's beliefs about the extent of control they have over events in their lives. According to Rotter, this belief system can be categorized into two types: internal and external locus of control.
Individuals with an internal locus of control believe that their personal efforts and decisions directly affect their...
Individuals with an internal locus of control believe that their personal efforts and decisions directly affect their...
01:28Understanding the Self
The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the self,...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.