Dissociating body representations in healthy individuals: Differential effects of a kinaesthetic illusion on perception and action

Abstract

Evidence from neuropsychological patients suggests that multiple body representations exist. The most common dissociation is between body schema to guide limb movements, and body image used to make perceptual judgements. In the current study we employed a kinaesthetic illusion in two experiments to dissociate body representations in healthy individuals. Tendon vibration creates an illusory lengthening of the muscle and an illusive displacement of the limb. In Experiment 1 two conditions were used. In the 'direct' condition the biceps of the dominant right arm of blindfolded participants was vibrated, creating illusory elbow extension. In the 'indirect' condition the right knee was held with ..