title: A predictive nature for tactile awareness? Insights from damaged and intact central-nervous-system functioning.
abstract: In the present paper, we will attempt to gain hints regarding the nature of tactile awareness in humans. At first, we will review some recent literature showing that an actual tactile experience can emerge in absence of any tactile stimulus (e.g., tactile hallucinations, tactile illusions). According to the current model of tactile awareness, we will subsequently argue that such (false) tactile perceptions are subserved by the same anatomo-functional mechanisms known to underpin actual perception. On these bases, we will discuss the hypothesis that tactile awareness is strongly linked to expected rather than actual stimuli. Indeed, this hypothesis is in line with the notion that the human brain has a strong predictive, rather than reactive, nature.
authors.affiliation: SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Psychology Department, University of Turin Turin, Italy ; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Turin Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pia
authors.affiliation: SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Psychology Department, University of Turin Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garbarini
authors.affiliation: SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Psychology Department, University of Turin Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Dalila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burin
authors.affiliation: SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Psychology Department, University of Turin Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fossataro
authors.affiliation: SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Psychology Department, University of Turin Turin, Italy ; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Turin Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berti
keywords: Bayesian brain; predictions; proactive brain; sensory expectancies; tactile awareness