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An Action Field Theory of Peripersonal Space

Bufacchi, RJ; Iannetti, GD; (2018) An Action Field Theory of Peripersonal Space. Trends in Cognitive Sciences , 22 (12) pp. 1076-1090. 10.1016/j.tics.2018.09.004. Green open access

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Abstract

Predominant conceptual frameworks often describe peripersonal space (PPS) as a single, distance-based, in-or-out zone within which stimuli elicit enhanced neural and behavioural responses. Here we argue that this intuitive framework is contradicted by neurophysiological and behavioural data. First, PPS-related measures are not binary, but graded with proximity. Second, they are strongly influenced by factors other than proximity, such as walking, tool use, stimulus valence, and social cues. Third, many different PPS-related responses exist, and each can be used to describe a different space. Here, we reconceptualise PPS as a set of graded fields describing behavioural relevance of actions aiming to create or avoid contact between objects and the body. This reconceptualisation incorporates PPS into mainstream theories of action selection and behaviour.

Type: Article
Title: An Action Field Theory of Peripersonal Space
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2018.09.004
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2018.09.004
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords: action selection, defence, egocentric coding, goal-oriented actions, motor system, perception and action
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Neuro, Physiology and Pharmacology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10062684
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