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Both developmental and adult vision shape body representations.
Elena Nava1, Tineke Steiger2, Brigitte Röder1
1Biopsychology and Neuropsychology, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 11, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
Scientific Reports
|October 24, 2014
Summary
Blind individuals do not experience the rubber hand illusion, suggesting vision is key for body ownership. However, all groups perceived the Aristotle illusion, indicating distinct spatial processing for hands and fingers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Body ownership and representation are crucial for consciousness.
- The role of vision in developing these senses is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of visual experience on body ownership and spatial recalibration.
- To differentiate between body ownership and spatial recalibration mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Somatosensory rubber hand illusion and Aristotle illusion tests were administered to congenitally blind, late blind, and sighted adults.
- Subjective reports and objective measures of spatial recalibration were collected.
Main Results:
- Congenitally and late blind individuals did not report the rubber hand illusion.
- Congenitally blind individuals showed no objective hand position recalibration, unlike late blind and sighted groups.
- All groups experienced the Aristotle illusion, suggesting distinct spatial frames for hands and fingers.
Conclusions:
- Visual input is essential for the subjective experience of body ownership and objective spatial recalibration of the hand.
- Body ownership and spatial recalibration are dissociable processes.
- Hands and fingers may utilize different spatial reference frames (external vs. anatomical).
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