Recalibration of agency transfers across modalities

We experience our actions and their sensory consequences as synchronous despite small sensorimotor delays. This is attained by an adaptation mechanism in which the sensorimotor system recalibrates temporal discrepancies between actions and their feedback, as long as causality is maintained (i.e., feedback follows the action). Predictive motor mechanisms boost the binding of actions to their feedback, aiding in adaptation. Sensorimotor temporal recalibration is therefore closely linked with control over the feedback via one’s own action (agency). Interestingly, recalibration can also transfer to another sense, indicating a generalized mechanism that adjusts the timing of action-feedback events. However, it is unclear if the recalibration of perceived agency can also transfer to another sense. Here, we investigated the existence of cross-modal transfer of agency and simultaneity in a sensorimotor recalibration task. In an adaptation phase, participants executed button presses leading to an immediate or lagged (150ms) occurrence of a Gabor patch. Subsequently, they were asked to make simultaneity or agency judgments for action-feedback pairs (Gabor patch or tone) with variable response-stimulus asynchronies (RSAs). We found adaptation and crossmodal transfer of both synchrony and agency judgments with stronger effects for recalibration of agency. Our findings suggest flexible recalibration of agency judgments, suggesting agency is not inferred solely based upon a match with modality-specific motor predictions.