Spatial Distortions in Perception and Cognition

Birkbeck Inaugural Lecture - 4 June 2015 Professor Matthew Longo - Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Spatial distortions have long been known to characterise early representatives of the senses in the brain. Recent studies have revealed traces of these distortions in higher- level aspects of perception and cognition. I will describe this research, focusing on distorted representation of body size and shape. In particular, I will describe distorted body representations underlying touch and proprioception, as well as in our concious body image. Delusions and misperceptions of the body are a conspicuous feature of several neurological and psychiatric conditions. The research I will discuss shows that distorted body represntations are also ubiquitous aspect of healthy mental life. For more information about Birkbeck's Department of Psychological Sciences - www.bbk.ac.uk/psychology Professor Matthew Longo - http://www.bbk.ac.uk/psychology/our-staff/academic/matthew-longo