Temporal binding effect in the action observation domain: Evidence from an action-based somatosensory paradigm

Studying the sense of agency in the absence of motor movement: an investigation into temporal binding of tactile sensations and auditory effects

“…An important question arising from our findings is why we did not find temporal repulsion to be reversed into temporal binding when crucial agency information about the identity and temporal onset was available, especially in light of temporal binding effects obtained in previous work on observation of movement (Suzuki et al 2019;Vastano et al 2018). Although we do not have a conclusive answer, we offer two possible explanations and suggestions for further research.…”

“…The present research addressed the question of whether intentional binding as a reflection of the sense of agency occurs in situations where an agent does not engage in motor action. As noted in the introduction, previous research suggests that temporal binding emerges even when people do not actively engage in goal-directed action (Desantis et al 2011 ; Dogge et al 2012 ; Kirsch et al 2019 ; Suzuki et al 2019 ; Vastano et al 2018 ).…”

“…In situations in which a person’s action is passively induced by other external means, such as a mechanical lever press, temporal binding, though less strong, still emerges (Desantis et al 2011 ; Dogge et al 2012 ; Kirsch et al 2019 ). Furthermore, it even persists when individuals observe intentional actions in (virtual) others (Suzuki et al 2019 ; Vastano et al 2018 ). These findings suggest that not intentionality per se, but other processes that are associated with intentional action, such as knowledge about causality and predictions that one can make based on this knowledge, may drive temporal binding (Buehner and Humphreys 2010 ; Desantis et al 2011 ).…”

On how we experience ourselves as intentional agents

“…An important question arising from our findings is why we did not find temporal repulsion to be reversed into temporal binding when crucial agency information about the identity and temporal onset was available, especially in light of temporal binding effects obtained in previous work on observation of movement (Suzuki et al, 2019;Vastano et al, 2018). Although we do not have a conclusive answer, a possible difference between our study and the previous research on passive and observed movement lies in the intentional experience of the agent.…”

“…In situations in which a person's action is passively induced by other external means, such as a mechanical lever press, temporal binding, though less strong, still emerges (Desantis et al, 2011;Dogge et al, 2012;Kirsch et al, 2019). Furthermore, it even persists when individuals observe intentional actions in (virtual) others (Suzuki et al, 2019;Vastano et al, 2018). These findings suggest that not intentionality per se, but other processes that are associated with intentional action, such as knowledge about causality and predictions that one can make based on this knowledge, drive temporal binding (Buehner & Humphreys, 2010;Desantis et al, 2011).…”