Mirror self recognition as a product of forward models; implications for delusions of body image and visual neglect

Abstract

Forward models allow individuals to learn to predict the sensory consequences of their own behavior. Social forward models have been proposed as an extension of forward models, allowing individuals to learn to predict the response of another to the individual's own behavior. This article proposes similarly that an individual who treats their reflection as another may learn to predict the behavior of their reflection, offering a new perspective on mirror self-recognition and a potential framework through which to investigate visual delusions. Specifically this article investigates this framework by considering four body image delusions; mirrored-self misidentification, body integrity disorder (BID), phantom limbs, and gender dysphoria, and two delusions associated with visual neglect; somatoparaphrenia and mirror agnosia.

Keywords: Body identity integrity disorder; Forward models; Gender dysphoria; Mirror self-recognition; Mirrored-self misidentification; Phantom limbs; Prediction error; Sensory attenuation.