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Types of body representation and the sense of embodiment

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Title: Types of body representation and the sense of embodiment
Related: Consciousness and cognition, Vol. 17, No. 4, (2008), p.1302-1316
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2008.02.001
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2008
FoR/RFCD Code(s): 170200 Cognitive Sciences 220300 Philosophy
Author/Creator: Carruthers, Glenn
Description: The sense of embodiment is vital for self recognition. An examination of anosognosia for hemiplegia—the inability to recognise that one is paralysed down one side of one’s body—suggests the existence of ‘online’ and ‘offline’ representations of the body. Online representations of the body are representations of the body as it is currently, are newly constructed moment by moment and are directly “plugged into” current perception of the body. In contrast, offline representations of the body are representations of what the body is usually like, are relatively stable and are constructed from online representations. This distinction is supported by an analysis of phantom limb—the feeling that an amputated limb is still present—phenomena. Initially it seems that the sense of embodiment may arise from either of these types of representation; however, an integrated representation of the body seems to be required. It is suggested information from vision and emotions is involved in generating these representations. A lack of access to online representations of the body does not necessarily lead to a loss in the sense of embodiment. An integrated offline representation of the body could account for the sense of embodiment and perform the functions attributed to this sense.
Description: 15 page(s)
Subject Keyword: 170200 Cognitive Sciences
Subject Keyword: 220300 Philosophy
Subject Keyword: Sense of embodiment
Subject Keyword: Body representation
Subject Keyword: Self consciousness
Resource Type: journal article
Organisation: Macquarie University. Dept. of Philosophy

Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/149127
Identifier: ISSN:1053-8100
Identifier: mq-rm-2008990976
Language: eng
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