Position coding in a video-controlled pointing task with a rotated visual display: evidence for individual differences in visuo-proprioceptive interaction

In video-controlled tasks, visuomotor performance is generally initially poor with rotated visual display, but improves through trial-by-trial learning. We hypothesise that the inaccurate processing of the visual hand-to-target vector mainly results from the persistent influence of non-visual information relating to arm posture. To test this hypothesis, arm-related proprioceptive and visual information were independently manipulated in a video-controlled pointing task. Analysis of movement vectors revealed that the target was located according to the visual hand but its proprioceptive orientation (Allelocentric(1) system of reference, N = 10), or according to the proprioceptive hand location and orientation (Egocentric system of reference, N = 8). The prevalence of one system of reference correlated with the accuracy of proprioceptive signals informing about arm posture. One obstacle in mastering video-controlled task results thus from the persistent influence of proprioceptive information in the spatial coding of visual goals for action, which however differs across individuals.

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