INTRODUCTION: The self is often conceptualized as hierarchical, where the bodily self is the basis for higher order self-experiences. An integral part of the self-experience is the ability to distinguish between the self and non-self across sensory experiences, actions and higher-order aspects. Touch is one of the most interesting ways to investigate the self-other distinction, as touch can be of significant social importance. Self-touch is a special case where we are both touching and touched, yet perceptual intensity is decreased. This reduced intensity shows the complex processes underlying the self-other distinction. There is also bidirectional influence of bodily and higher order processes, which is highlighted by how agency influences the tactile self-other distinction.

AIM(S): In the current work, we investigated how the bodily process of tactile self-other distinction relates to the higher order aspect of self-referential thinking and the self-concept.

METHOD(S): We used fMRI and behavioral measures to investigate the bodily process of tactile self-other distinction, and how it relates to the higher order aspect of self-referential thinking and the self-concept. We also investigated how they both relate to the sense of agency.

RESULTS: We found substantial overlap in neural processing of both self-other distinction and the higher-order self in brain areas involved in both self-processing such as the ACC, but also in social areas such as left inferior temporal gyrus. Further, other-self touch preferences related to the self-concept.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate shared neural substrates between the bodily and higher order processes of self and self-other distinction. We find the social component to be of particular importance in the self-experience, supporting the notion of a social bodily self.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: The project was supported by Horizon Europe Grant 101115653 awarded to Rebecca Boehme