[Egocentric reference and represented space]

Abstract

The subjective estimate of the position of the egocentric reference was measured in normal right-handed subjects. They had to point manually in the straight ahead direction at what they thought was their body's sagittal plane. A systematic leftward bias of relatively small amplitude was observed for pointings with the right hand. No such bias was observed with the left hand. In addition, fixation of a visual target located within the right or left hemispace systematically deviated the estimated egocentric reference toward the side opposite to the target. These results contribute to the mechanisms responsible for directional coding of movements toward extrapersonal space.