So far so good: emotion in the peripersonal/extrapersonal space

Abstract

Current accounts of spatial cognition and human-object interaction suggest that the representation of peripersonal space depends on an action-specific system that remaps its representation according to action requirements. Here we demonstrate that this mechanism is sensitive to knowledge about properties of objects. In two experiments we explored the interaction between physical distance and object attributes (functionality, desirability, graspability, etc.) through a reaching estimation task in which participants indicated if objects were near enough to be reached. Using both a real and a cutting-edge digital scenario, we demonstrate that perceived reaching distance is influenced by ease of grasp and the affective valence of an object. Objects with a positive affective valence tend to be perceived reachable at locations at which neutral or negative objects are perceived as non-reachable. In addition to this, reaction time to distant (non-reachable) positive objects suggests a bias to perceive positive objects as closer than negative and neutral objects (exp. 2). These results highlight the importance of the affective valence of objects in the action-specific mapping of the peripersonal/extrapersonal space system.

Figure 1. Real Scenario setup: a) example of object presentation (functional/no-functional orientation for a right-handed participant), b) procedure used to measure perceived distance (left) and reaching distance (right).

Figure 2. Digital scenario setup: a) example of stimulus positives, negatives and neutrals, b) example of trial and positions the 9 positions being 1 the nearest and 9 the furthest, c) example of reaching distances (RD) measured on the tactile surface.

The Person shown here has given written informed consent (as outlined in the PLoS consent form) for publication of their photograph.

Figure 3. Accuracy data obtained in Experiment 2b.

Locations 1 to 3 belong to region I (Near), 4 to 6 belong to region II (Middle) and 7 to 9 belong to region III (Far).