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Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
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Virtual Reality Body Swapping: A Tool for Modifying the Allocentric Memory of the Body
Silvia Serino1, Elisa Pedroli1, Anouk Keizer2
11 Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano , Milan, Italy .
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|October 28, 2015
Summary
Virtual reality body swapping alters body perception and memory. Embodiment of a virtual skinny body updated participants' stored body representations, potentially aiding eating disorder treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Embodiment via visuo-tactile stimulation can alter body and object size perception.
- Virtual body swapping is an emerging technique with potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if virtual reality (VR) body swapping can modify enduring body memory.
- To explore the impact of synchronous and asynchronous visuo-tactile stimulation on body representation.
Main Methods:
- 21 female participants estimated body part dimensions before and after VR body swapping.
- Two types of visuo-tactile stimulation were employed: synchronous and asynchronous.
- The Allocentric Lock Theory was used as a theoretical framework.
Main Results:
- Embodying a virtual skinny body led to a decrease in estimated body measures.
- This update in body representation occurred regardless of stimulation synchronicity.
- Findings suggest a change in the memory of the body.
Conclusions:
- VR body swapping is a viable tool for altering body memory.
- This technique may offer novel therapeutic avenues for eating and weight disorders.
- The study provides empirical support for the Allocentric Lock Theory in VR contexts.
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