Temporal limits on rubber hand illusion reflect individuals' temporal resolution in multisensory perception

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Sensory Perception

Background:

• Multisensory integration relies on temporal synchrony.
• The rubber hand illusion demonstrates body ownership manipulation via multisensory input.
• Previous assumptions linked rubber hand illusion temporal limits to general multisensory integration, but direct evidence was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the direct link between temporal resolution in multisensory perception and susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion.
• To determine if individual differences in temporal binding windows influence the degree of asynchrony tolerated in the rubber hand illusion.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted involving visuo-tactile stimulation.
• Participants completed a simultaneity judgment task to assess their temporal binding window.
• The rubber hand illusion was induced, and the maximum tolerable visual-tactile asynchrony was measured.

Main Results:

• Individual susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion was directly dependent on individual temporal resolution in multisensory perception.
• A larger temporal binding window correlated with a higher tolerance for asynchrony during the rubber hand illusion.
• The degree of temporal asynchrony that prevents the illusion is determined by an individual's sensitivity to perceiving asynchrony.

Conclusions:

• Current neurocognitive models of body ownership should incorporate a temporal dimension.
• Individual temporal perception, specifically the temporal binding window, is a critical factor in body ownership experiences.
• Different facets of body ownership may operate across distinct timescales.