Longo, Matthew R. (2015) Implicit and explicit body representations. European Psychologist 20 (1), pp. 6-15. ISSN 1016-9040.
|
Text
9091.pdf - Author's Accepted Manuscript Download (493kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Several forms of perception require that sensory information be referenced to representations of the size and shape of the body. This requirement is especially acute in somatosensation in which the main receptor surface (i.e., the skin) is itself coextensive with the body. In this paper I will review recent research investigating the body representations underlying somatosensory information processing, including abilities such as tactile localisation, tactile size perception, and position sense. These representations show remarkably large and stereotyped distortions of represented body size and shape. Intriguingly, these distortions appear to mirror distortions characteristic of somatosensory maps, though in attenuated form. In contrast, when asked to make overt judgments about perceived body form, participants are generally quite accurate. This pattern of results suggests that higher-level somatosensory processing relies on a class of implicit body representation, distinct from the conscious body image. I discuss the implications of these results for understanding the nature of body representation and the factors which influence it.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | "This article does not exactly replicate the final version published in the journal "European Psychologist". It is not a copy of the original published article and is not suitable for citation." |
| School: | Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences |
| Research Centres and Institutes: | Brain and Cognitive Development, Centre for (CBCD) |
| Depositing User: | Matthew Longo |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Dec 2014 10:50 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Jul 2025 00:40 |
| URI: | https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9091 |
Statistics
Additional statistics are available via IRStats2.
Archive Staff Only (login required)
