Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 112-117 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
| Volume | 77 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Jan 2015 |
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The Empathy Quotient (EQ) predicts perceived strength of bodily illusions and illusion-related sensations of pain. / Seiryte, Aurelija; Rusconi, Elena.
In: Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 77, 13.01.2015, p. 112-117.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Empathy Quotient (EQ) predicts perceived strength of bodily illusions and illusion-related sensations of pain
AU - Seiryte, Aurelija
AU - Rusconi, Elena
PY - 2015/1/13
Y1 - 2015/1/13
N2 - In this study we test the possible implications of high empathising skills on bodily self–other distinction by measuring the strength of a body ownership illusion and a related experience of illusory pain. One-hundred adult participants completed the Empathy Quotient (EQ) questionnaire. Twenty participants from the top quintile and 20 participants from the bottom quintile of the EQ distribution took part in a laboratory experiment. In the experiment, a classical Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) was induced followed by the presentation of a series of painful stimuli to the rubber hand. Participants were asked to self-rate the strength of their subjective experience of the RHI and of the illusory pain. A proprioceptive location judgment on the position of the hidden hand was also required before and after RHI induction, to record drifts towards the rubber hand. We found a significant difference between high- and low-empathy participants in RHI and pain score. The EQ was not related with the proprioceptive location judgement drift. It thus appears to be a better predictor of subjective ownership feelings and phenomenological self–other merging than of the behavioural components of bodily illusions.
AB - In this study we test the possible implications of high empathising skills on bodily self–other distinction by measuring the strength of a body ownership illusion and a related experience of illusory pain. One-hundred adult participants completed the Empathy Quotient (EQ) questionnaire. Twenty participants from the top quintile and 20 participants from the bottom quintile of the EQ distribution took part in a laboratory experiment. In the experiment, a classical Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) was induced followed by the presentation of a series of painful stimuli to the rubber hand. Participants were asked to self-rate the strength of their subjective experience of the RHI and of the illusory pain. A proprioceptive location judgment on the position of the hidden hand was also required before and after RHI induction, to record drifts towards the rubber hand. We found a significant difference between high- and low-empathy participants in RHI and pain score. The EQ was not related with the proprioceptive location judgement drift. It thus appears to be a better predictor of subjective ownership feelings and phenomenological self–other merging than of the behavioural components of bodily illusions.
U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.048
DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.048
M3 - Article
VL - 77
SP - 112
EP - 117
JO - Personality and Individual Differences
JF - Personality and Individual Differences
SN - 0191-8869
ER -