Do explicit self-reflection traits relate to implicit bodily self-consciousness? Insights from asynchronous...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Embodiment Studies

Background:

• Bodily self-consciousness is crucial for distinguishing self from other.
• Inter-individual variability in embodiment experiences is not fully understood.
• The link between explicit self-reflection and implicit bodily self-consciousness requires further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between self-reflection traits and bodily self-consciousness components (ownership, agency).
• To examine how sensory characteristics and self-reflection explain variability in embodiment experiences.
• To explore these relationships in young girls using embodiment illusions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized rubber hand illusion and visuo-motor full-body illusion paradigms.
• Experimentally induced asynchrony to reduce embodiment feelings.
• Measured self-reflection traits (social, bodily) and cardiac interoceptive accuracy.
• Assessed inter-individual differences in experiencing ownership and agency.

Main Results:

• Asynchrony reduced agency more in girls reflecting highly on their social self.
• Ownership reduction was greater in girls with positive bodily self-reflections.
• Both agency and ownership were more reduced in girls with lower interoceptive accuracy.
• Self-reflection traits and interoception significantly explained embodiment variability.

Conclusions:

• Explicit self-reflection about social and bodily selves is linked to implicit bodily self-consciousness components.
• Interoceptive accuracy plays a role in modulating embodiment experiences.
• Findings highlight the importance of individual differences in embodiment research, particularly in girls.