Somatosensory Illusions

Abstract

Illusions arouse interest in the layperson and researcher alike. The layperson learns that perception is fallible, and the researcher wants to better understand mechanisms of perception and implement illusions in various applications. We are accustomed to visual illusions, but less so to their somatosensory sisters, some of which summon fresh amazement bordering on disbelief. What can possibly make us feel that our tongue is split in two, or that a brush touching an artificial hand touches us? How do we study such experiences? This chapter directs the reader to sources describing a variety of somatosensory illusions. We also outline methodological issues in studying them, and describe methods used to study the well-known rubber hand illusion, and the recently described whose hand illusion.