Body Schema and multi sensory integration

Question 1

Body schema

Answer 1

A representation of the positions of body parts in space which is updated during body movement

• SM rep of the body and its various parameters such as size, position, etc
• does not require awareness

Body image = How do you imagine your body (conscious representation)

Question 2

Characteristics of the body schema

Answer 2

1) Modular (Different body parts processed separately)
2) Spatially coded (rep of position of each body part)
3) Updated with movement
4) Adaptable
5) Interpersonal
6) Coherent
7) Supramodal integration (combines input from multiple sources)

Question 3

Peripersonal space

Answer 3

The space immediately surrounding our bodies

Question 4

Disorders of body schema and image

Answer 4

Distortion of body image (autotopagnosia)

• Inability to locate body parts
• Loss of spatial unity
• Patients can name parts but relative order lost

Distortion of body schema (Ideomotor apraxia)

• Inability to execute actions
• Body image is preserved

** Distortion of body schema and image (Alice in wonderland syndrome)**

• Distortion in size perception
• Body parts may appear smaller or larger

Question 5

Multisensory perception

Answer 5

Touch + Vision > Multisensory integration

Question 6

Sensory conflicts

Answer 6

McGurk effect (Dada baba ; The way the lips are moving ; conflict between visual and auditory perception) > When we ignore the face the McGurk effect is likely to be less

Sensory Uncertainty

• Due to perceptual limits, neural noise and cognitive resource limits

Question 7

Multisensory integration and attention

Answer 7

Attention can affect how multisensory signals are integrated

Question 8

Theories of sensory conflicts

Answer 8

1) Visual dominance
2) Modality precision
3) Weighting based on uncertainty

Question 9

Normative model

Answer 9

How a problem should be solved = Based on theory, can establish bounds

Process model = how a problem is actually solved