Impact of Phantom Hand Illusion on Perceived Weight of CG-Colored Balls

Abstract

Guided by the concept of the ‘extended body,’ which suggests that body perception extends beyond physical boundaries, this study examined whether the sense of body ownership could extend to a computer-generated (CG) ‘phantom hand’ holding a colored ball. We investigated how this extension influenced subjective weight comparisons between two balls. Results revealed a clear ‘phantom hand effect,’ where participants consistently perceived the ball held by the phantom hand as heavier. This suggests extended body mechanisms similar to the rubber hand illusion, though likely operating unconsciously, as participants did not explicitly associate the phantom hand with their own body. Additionally, consistent with previous studies, ball color influenced weight perception, with lighter colors perceived as less heavy. Chroma appeared to have a positive effect when other variables were controlled, while hue angle showed no systematic influence. These findings highlight the unconscious nature of body extension and its sensory effects.