Effects on space representation of using a tool and a button

Recent studies on monkeys and humans reveal that tool-use may affect space representation, or at least engender an attentional shift. Studies with patients reveal that far space is remapped as near space when subjects actively use a tool. Here, we present an experiment in which subjects will be required to use either a tool or a button to achieve a target-object located at different distances from the subject, that is, either in the peripersonal or extrapersonal space. Behavioural data will be collected through both a kinematic sensor system and a non-intrusive eye-tracking technology. We predict that, compared to a baseline reaching condition, both the tool and the button affect space representation remapping far space as near space. We predict a stronger effect with the tool, which is supposed to be incorporated within the body schema, than the button, which is supposed to be perceived as an external device. Generally, our results will provide a contribute to assess whether actions are encoded in proximal or in distal terms, that is in terms of the effector movements or of overall action goal