6533b856fe1ef96bd12b330b
RESEARCH PRODUCT
The effects of a startle on awareness of action
Josep Valls-soléPatrick HaggardM. T. SanegreJuan M. Castellotesubject
AdultMaleReflex StartleMovementSubjective perceptionmedia_common.quotation_subjectPoison controlStimulus (physiology)Efferent PathwaysPerceptionReaction TimemedicineHumansmedia_commonGeneral NeuroscienceMotor CortexMotor controlBallistic movementBody movementAwarenessmedicine.anatomical_structureAcoustic StimulationTime PerceptionAuditory PerceptionFemalePsychologyAction awarenessSocial psychologyPsychomotor PerformanceCognitive psychologydescription
The execution of a ballistic movement within a reaction time task paradigm is significantly speeded up when an unexpected startling auditory stimulus (SAS) is delivered together with the imperative signal. Using Libet's clock, we investigated whether acceleration involves also the subjective appraisal of the time of task execution. In trials containing the SAS, reaction time shortened to 68.7% of control values. However, subjective judgment of task execution remained a similar time with respect to the imperative signal as in control trials. The dissociation between task execution and its subjective perception indicates the existence of separate circuits for action execution and action awareness.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-08-27 | Experimental Brain Research |