Costs and benefits of tool-use on the perception of reachable space.
Previous studies have shown that using a tool modifies in a short time-scale both near-body space perception and arm-length representation in the body schema. However, to date no research has specifically investigated the effect of tool-use on an action-related perceptual task. We report here a study assessing the effect of tool-use on the perception of reachable space for perceptual estimates made in reference to either the tool or the hand. Using the tool on distal objects resulted in an extension of perceived reachable space with the tool and reduced the variability of reachability estimates. Tool use also extended perceived reachable space with the hand, but with a concomitant increase of the variability of reachability estimates. These findings suggest that tool incorporation into the represented arm following tool-use improves the anticipation of action possibilities with the tool, while hand representation becomes less accurate.
Research Unit on Cognitive and Affective Sciences, University of Lille Nord de France, France.
Jérémy
J
Bourgeois
INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, ImpAct Team, F-69000 Lyon, France; University Claude Bernard Lyon I, F-69000 Lyon, France.
Alessandro
A
Farnè
Research Unit on Cognitive and Affective Sciences, University of Lille Nord de France, France. Electronic address: yann.coello@univ-lille3.fr.
Yann
Y
Coello
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Incorporation embodiment; Peripersonal space; Reachability; Tool-use; Visual perception