Attending to the bodily self

Cogn Neurosci. 2016 Jan-Oct;7(1-4):28-9. doi: 10.1080/17588928.2015.1075490. Epub 2015 Aug 14.

Abstract

Humphreys and Sui provide a powerful theoretical framework to explain processing biases toward self-related information. However, the framework is primarily applied to information relevant to a conceptual self-representation. Here, we show a similar processing bias for information related to the bodily self, grounded in sensorimotor representations. Furthermore, we can use bodily illusions to explore the ways in which embodied self-associations can affect our perceptual and attentional processing. It is possible to extend the current framework to take into account these effects, and we argue that this will yield considerable benefits for our understanding of self-relevance.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Attention*
  • Bias
  • Humans
  • Illusions*
  • Self Concept