Abstract
Tasks measuring the sense of agency often manipulate the predictability of action outcomes by introducing spatial deviation. However, the extent to which spatial predictability of an outcome influences the sense of agency when spatial deviation is controlled for remains untested. We used a novel task to investigate the effect of several factors (action–outcome contingency, spatial deviation, and spatial predictability when controlling for spatial deviation of action outcomes) on the sense of agency. We also investigated trait predictors of metacognition of agency—the degree to which participants’ confidence in their agency judgements corresponds to the accuracy of those judgements. Initial and replication samples completed contingency, deviation, and predictability versions of the task. Across samples, participants’ sense of agency was impacted by action–outcome contingency and spatial deviation of action outcomes. Manipulation of the spatial predictability of action outcomes did not reliably impact the sense of agency. Metacognition of agency was related to alexithymic traits—higher alexithymia scores were associated with reduced metacognition of agency.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1399-1410 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Experimental Brain Research |
Volume | 240 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 5 Apr 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by a doctoral studentship from the Medical Research Council [MR/M50175X/1 to T.P.]; the Economic and Social Research Council [ES/R007527/1 to G.B.] and the Baily Thomas Charitable Trust [to GB].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
Keywords
- Action–outcome contingency
- Alexithymia
- Individual differences
- Metacognition of agency
- Sense of agency
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience