Spatial Distance and Temporal Attentional Focus Modulate Voluntary Action Preparation and Awareness

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Peripersonal space (PPS) modulates perception and motor control, but its role in action initiation and subjective experience is unclear.
• The influence of attentional focus on action phases and anticipated outcomes on neural readiness for movement requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how spatial proximity, attentional focus, and anticipated action outcomes affect action preparation and awareness.
• To examine the neural correlates of these modulations using electroencephalography (EEG) and a virtual reality Libet clock paradigm.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a virtual reality adaptation of the Libet clock paradigm during EEG recordings.
• Manipulated attentional focus (intention formation vs. execution) and anticipated action outcomes.
• Assessed the impact of spatial proximity (near vs. far PPS) on neural activity and behavioral timing perception.

Main Results:

• Attentional focus and anticipated outcomes modulated different phases of the readiness potential (RP).
• Focusing on intention enhanced early RP, while focusing on execution steepened the late RP slope.
• Spatial proximity modulated early RP slope and enhanced late RP amplitude when focusing on intention; behavioral results showed earlier perceived action timing in near space.

Conclusions:

• External spatial context (PPS) and internal cognitive processes dynamically interact to shape motor preparation and action awareness.
• Attentional focus on intention can modulate early neural readiness, challenging traditional views of unconscious preparation.
• Findings offer insights into the sense of agency and voluntary action decision-making.