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Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
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Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Ke Ma1, Dominique P Lippelt1, Bernhard Hommel2
1Cognitive Psychology Unit, Leiden University.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|March 14, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a novel technique for body ownership illusions, enhancing ecological validity. Participants control virtual limbs, fostering a sense of self-ownership through synchronous movement, advancing self-representation studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Traditional ownership illusions (e.g., rubber-hand illusion) rely on artificial setups with limited participant control.
- Existing methods often involve synchronous stroking, lacking ecological validity and intuitive interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a more realistic and intuitive technique for inducing body ownership illusions.
- To investigate self-representation through interactive virtual embodiment.
Main Methods:
- Developed a technique enabling participants to control virtual hands and faces.
- Utilized synchronous movements between real and virtual body parts to induce illusions.
- Presented virtual avatars on screen or in virtual space for interaction.
Main Results:
- Synchronous control of a virtual hand led to the virtual-hand illusion (ownership).
- Synchronous control of a virtual face induced the virtual-face illusion (ownership).
- The novel technique demonstrated higher ecological validity compared to traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- Interactive control offers a more intuitive and ecologically valid approach to studying body ownership.
- Understanding the parameters of these illusions provides insights into self-representation mechanisms.
- This technique facilitates research into how individuals construct and maintain their sense of self.
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