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When moving without volition: implied self-causation enhances binding strength between involuntary actions and
Myrthel Dogge1, Marloes Schaap, Ruud Custers
1Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80 140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Consciousness and Cognition
|November 26, 2011
Summary
Temporal binding, the compression of time between actions and outcomes, occurs even in involuntary movements when self-causation is implied. This suggests a retrospective sensory attribution to the sense of agency.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology of Perception
Background:
- Conscious awareness of voluntary action involves temporal binding, compressing the perceived time between action and outcome.
- Traditionally linked to voluntary movement and agency, temporal binding is now observed in involuntary actions, challenging existing theories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether implied self-causation can induce temporal binding in the absence of intrinsic motor cues.
- To explore the role of retrospective sensory attribution in the sense of agency.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed temporal judgments on a key press and auditory tone.
- A manipulation implied participants were the cause of the tone or not.
- Intrinsic motor cues associated with voluntary movement were absent.
Main Results:
- Implied self-causation significantly increased temporal binding compared to conditions without it.
- Temporal binding occurred even without direct sensory evidence from voluntary motor output.
Conclusions:
- The sense of agency and temporal binding can be influenced by the implication of self-causation, independent of direct motor feedback.
- Retrospective sensory attribution, guided by the sense of being an agent, plays a crucial role in temporal binding, even for involuntary actions.
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