title: The valence of action outcomes modulates the perception of one's actions.
abstract: When interacting with the world, we need to distinguish whether sensory information results from external events or from our own actions. The nervous system most likely draws this distinction by comparing the actual sensory input with an internal prediction about the sensory consequences of one's actions. However, interacting with the world also requires an evaluation of the outcomes of self-action, e.g. in terms of their affective valence. Here we show that subjects' perceived pointing direction does not only depend on predictive and sensory signals related to the performed action itself, but also on the affective valence of the action outcome: subjects perceived their movements as directed towards positive and away from negative outcomes. Our findings suggest that the non-conceptual perception of the sensory consequences of self-action builds on both sensorimotor information related directly to self-action and a post hoc evaluation of the affective action outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Neurology, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilke
authors.forename: Matthis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Synofzik
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003463:Cues; D004056:Differential Threshold; D005133:Eye Movements; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007699:Kinesthesis; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014836:Volition / Q000502:physiology*