The visual P2 is attenuated for attended objects near the hands.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Visual Perception

Background:

• Visual perception is influenced by the proximity of one's own hands.
• The neural mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural basis of visual alteration caused by hand proximity.
• To determine the role of attention in modulating this effect.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure visual-evoked potentials (VEPs).
• Participants observed reversing checkerboards with hands near or far from the display.
• Attention was manipulated by central or peripheral tasks.

Main Results:

• The P2 component of VEPs was attenuated for stimuli near the hands.
• This attenuation occurred only when participants attended to the stimulus location.
• The effect was specific to the attended location, regardless of physical proximity.

Conclusions:

• Hand proximity enhances selective attention to visual stimuli at attended locations.
• This attentional enhancement occurs at later stages of perceptual processing.
• The findings highlight the interplay between body schema and visual attention.