by Christian Cacibauda
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In the psychology of human consciousness, your sense of identity is usually linked to your body. Recently, however, Henrik Ehrsson of Geneva’s Karolinska Institute and Olaf Blanke of Geneva University managed to separate human identity from the body using similar methods. The result: both scientists created out-of-body experiences in a laboratory.

The Experiments

In Dr. Ehrsson’s experiment, subjects sat in a chair while wearing virtual reality goggles. The goggles were connected to two cameras situated behind the subject. The subject thus had the impression of viewing himself from behind. Ehrsson then tapped his volunteers on their chests while also tapping the air at chest-height below the cameras. Subjects reported feeling that they identified themselves with the camera’s position.

Dr. Blanke’s experiment also involved virtual reality goggles. In his experiment, however, the subject’s virtual reality goggles showed one of three things: a 3D avatar of the subject’s body (again, viewed from behind), an avatar of a human dummy, or a human-sized cuboid. Blanke then stroked his subjects with a paintbrush while the computer stroked the avatar with a virtual brush (sometimes simultaneously, sometimes not).

After each viewing, the goggles went dark, and the subject was pulled backwards before being asked to return to his original position. When the avatar was a cuboid, the subjects found their original position easily. But when the avatar was humanlike and the stroking synchronous, the subject relocated to where the avatar would have been standing.

The Benefit to Psychology

Although apparently simple, the experiments of Ehrsson and Blanke have shown that the human sense of identity can be altered in a reproducible way. This breakthrough, though small, may yet prove a major step towards understanding deeper mysteries of human psychology.

If you’re interested in the psychology of consciousness, advancing your education with a psychology degree may be the ideal way to learn more. You can find advanced degrees in psychology at a number of colleges and universities. Too busy for the campus commute? Online degrees are also available. Learn about consciousness and identity where and when it’s convenient for you.

About the Author

Christian Cacibauda is a freelance writer and editor. His articles have appeared on numerous education sites, including Yahoo’s education page. He lives in Seattle.

Source(s)

“Out of your mind, not out of your body.” The Economist, August 25th-31st 2007.