A new study, published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, has highlighted the role of body perception in shaping self-identity, offering insights into how individuals recognise themselves beyond facial features. Researchers at Maastricht University investigated the neural mechanisms behind identity perception using personalised avatars and EEG technology.
The study involved participants interacting with digital avatars created from their own faces and bodies, as well as avatars incorporating features from others. Through a virtual reality exercise, participants were immersed in an environment where they controlled their avatars, reinforcing a sense of embodiment. The findings suggest that individuals experience a stronger identification with avatars that reflect their own physical appearance compared to those that do not.
Brain activity recorded during the experiment revealed significant differences in neural responses when participants viewed their own avatars versus those representing others. Specifically, the study found that self-identity avatars elicited weaker N2 and P1 responses in the brain. These patterns indicate that the brain processes self-identity rapidly, within approximately 200 milliseconds, integrating both facial and bodily cues. Interestingly, there was no notable effect on the N170 response, a component often associated with facial recognition, suggesting that identity perception extends beyond the face.
To ensure that the observed neural differences were linked to identity perception rather than body size, the study included control conditions where body characteristics were altered. The results confirmed that the reduction in N2 amplitude was specifically related to self-identity recognition rather than variations in physical attributes such as body size. This reinforces the idea that the brain integrates both facial and bodily features to form a coherent self-representation.
The research also explored the subjective experience of identity perception by asking participants to rate their connection with different avatars. The results showed a clear preference for self-identity avatars, with participants reporting a stronger sense of embodiment and identification. This aligns with previous studies suggesting that self-recognition is deeply rooted in both visual and cognitive processing mechanisms.
One of the key implications of the study is its potential relevance to fields such as virtual reality, clinical psychology and body image research. Understanding how individuals perceive their own identity could aid in the development of interventions for conditions such as body dysmorphia and eating disorders. The findings also offer practical applications for the design of avatars in virtual environments, ensuring that digital representations feel more natural and immersive.
While previous studies have largely focused on facial recognition in self-identity, this research highlights the equal importance of body perception. The results suggest that identity recognition is not solely driven by the face but involves an integrated perception of the entire body. This could have broader implications for how identity is represented in digital spaces, from gaming and social media to medical applications where virtual avatars are used for therapeutic purposes.
These findings contribute to a growing understanding of how the brain constructs self-identity and suggest that personalised virtual representations can significantly influence how individuals perceive themselves. Further research is needed to explore whether these effects vary across different populations, including individuals with body image concerns or those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
This article was written by Psychreg News Team from www.psychreg.org
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