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Shared multisensory experience affects Others' boundary: The enfacement illusion in schizophrenia
F Ferroni1, M Ardizzi1, M Sestito2
1Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Schizophrenia Research
|November 27, 2018
Summary
This study explored the Enfacement Illusion (EI) in schizophrenia, finding it affects body ownership boundaries for both self and others. Schizophrenia patients showed unique differences in how this illusion impacts their perception of others.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is linked to impaired self/other recognition and body ownership.
- Previous research has not investigated the Enfacement Illusion (EI) in schizophrenia.
- EI probes the malleability of body ownership boundaries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Enfacement Illusion (EI) proneness in schizophrenia.
- To examine EI's impact on Self-Other and Other-Other body boundaries.
- To compare EI-induced boundary malleability between schizophrenia patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Adapted the classic Enfacement Illusion (EI) protocol.
- Tested plasticity of Self-Other and Other-Other boundaries.
- Compared responses between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- EI induced Self-Other boundary malleability in both groups.
- EI influenced the Other-Other boundary for the first time.
- Schizophrenia patients exhibited an opposite modulation of Other-Other boundary malleability compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia is associated with qualitative differences in Other-Other boundary malleability, not just Self-Other boundary plasticity.
- Enfacement Illusion (EI) impacts social perception by affecting how individuals discriminate others.
- Findings reveal a novel aspect of body illusions and schizophrenia, highlighting effects beyond the self-sphere.
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