Trust me, you are there

The role of verbal manipulation on embodiment and body localization

Bibliographic Data

ID21532820
AuthorsFrancesca Frisco (0000-0002-6167-6587, University of Milano-Bicocca), Vito Bruno (University of Milano-Bicocca), Daniele Romano (0000-0002-6366-8433, University of Milano-Bicocca), Giorgia Tosi (0000-0001-6405-3310, University of Milan, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume90
Issue2
Publication date2026-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0340-0727 • E-ISSN: 1430-2772
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s00426-026-02271-z
PMID41964800
OpenAlexW7153475780
LanguageEN
References cited35

Body ownership (the perception of the body as belonging to oneself) and body spatial perception arise from multisensory integration and can be altered by body illusions (e.g., Rubber Hand Illusion, RHI). In the RHI, synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation elicits ownership over a fake hand and shifts the perceived real hand position (Proprioceptive Drift). This study investigated whether altering body spatial predictions through verbal manipulation affects ownership in a virtual RHI (vRHI). In the Misleading Information Condition, participants were told their hand would be moved closer to the virtual hand. In the Correct Information Condition (Control Condition), participants were told their hand would be moved and then put back in its original position. Embodiment and perceived hand position were assessed at baseline (T0), after verbal manipulation (T1), and after vRHI induction (T2). Results showed that verbal manipulation altered spatial predictions: in the Misleading Information Condition, proprioceptive drift at T1 increased. However, after the vRHI, the drift was lower in the Misleading Information Condition than in the Control condition. Embodiment increased only after the vRHI. Thus, manipulating spatial predictions influenced hand position but not embodiment, revealing top-down modulation of body spatial perception. In contrast, multisensory illusion affected perceived position and embodiment, independently of prior verbal manipulations, suggesting a possible distinction between these processes

Body position · Body schema · Hand position · Illusion · Multisensory Integration · Perception · Proprioception · Action Observation and Synchronization · Motor Control and Adaptation · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts

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Open DOIOpen Access