Title Embodiment in a Child-Like Talking Virtual Body Influences Object Size Perception, Self-Identification, and Subsequent Real Speaking
Authors TAJADURA JIMÉNEZ, ANA, Banakou, Domna , Bianchi-Berthouze, Nadia , Slater, Mel
External publication No
Means Sci Rep
Scope Article
Nature Científica
JCR Quartile 1
SJR Quartile 1
JCR Impact 4.12200
SJR Impact 1.53300
Web https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85028471018&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-017-09497-3&partnerID=40&md5=57066461e53e300d15d004dd936af385
Publication date 29/08/2017
ISI 000408535300021
Scopus Id 2-s2.0-85028471018
DOI 10.1038/s41598-017-09497-3
Abstract People\'s mental representations of their own body are malleable and continuously updated through sensory cues. Altering one\'s body-representation can lead to changes in object perception and implicit attitudes. Virtual reality has been used to embody adults in the body of a 4-year-old child or a scaled-down adult body. Child embodiment was found to cause an overestimation of object sizes, approximately double that during adult embodiment, and identification of the self with child-like attributes. Here we tested the contribution of auditory cues related to one\'s own voice to these visually-driven effects. In a 2 x 2 factorial design, visual and auditory feedback on one\'s own body were varied across conditions, which included embodiment in a child or scaled-down adult body, and real (undistorted) or child-like voice feedback. The results replicated, in an older population, previous findings regarding size estimations and implicit attitudes. Further, although auditory cues were not found to enhance these effects, we show that the strength of the embodiment illusion depends on the child-like voice feedback being congruent or incongruent with the age of the virtual body. Results also showed the positive emotional impact of the illusion of owning a child\'s body, opening up possibilities for health applications.
Keywords adult; aged; attitude; body image; female; hearing; human; middle aged; perception; psychological feedback; virtual reality; vision; Adult; Aged; Attitude; Auditory Perception; Body Image; Feedback, P
Universidad Loyola members

Change your preferences Manage cookies