The Efference Copy Signal as a Key Mechanism for Consciousness.
Frontiers in systems neuroscience January 1, 2021 Giorgio Vallortigara 34 citations
Animals distinguish self-generated from externally caused sensory input using an efference copy mechanism, a copy of movement commands sent to sensory structures. This paper links that mechanism to philosopher Thomas Reid's idea that senses have a double province: to make us feel and to make us perceive. Psychologist Nicholas Humphrey argued that the former identifies with signals from bodily sense organs combined with an internalized evaluative response, i.e., phenomenal consciousness. The author discusses a possible departure from the classical efference copy implementation that could provide senses with such a double province, potentially advancing understanding of consciousness.