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Previous research has demonstrated that viewing one's hand can induce tactile response compatibility effects at the hands. Here, we investigated the question of whether vision of one's own hand is actually necessary. The Eriksen flanker task was combined with the rubber hand illusion in order to determine whether tactile distractors presented to the hand would be processed up to the level of response selection when a pair of rubber hands was seen (while one's own hands were not). Our results demonstrate that only if the rubber hands are perceived as belonging to one's own body, is enhanced distractor processing (up to the level of response selection) observed at the hands. In conclusion, vision of a pair of fake hands enhances tactile distractor processing at the hands if, and only if, it happens to be incorporated into the body representation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00221-014-4129-0

Type

Journal article

Journal

Exp Brain Res

Publication Date

02/2015

Volume

233

Pages

477 - 486

Keywords

Adult, Analysis of Variance, Body Image, Female, Hand, Humans, Illusions, Male, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Rubber, Surveys and Questionnaires, Touch, Touch Perception, Vibration, Vision, Ocular, Young Adult