**6. Proprioceptive perception**

This composite concept leads us first to consider how perception is understood from this systemic perspective that includes living beings as structurally determined systems. This means that everything that happens to the organism in the interaction with its environment is determined by its structure. Therefore, the interactions of the organism with its environment are not instructive [1, 12]. From this perspective, perception consists of "the configuration that the observer makes of perceptual objects by distinguishing operational cleavages in the behavior of the organism, by describing the interactions of the organism in the flow of its structural correspondence in the environment" [12].

For there to be a perceptive experience, it is the observer who emerges from language as a perceptual object, the one who configures a world of perceptual objects in the recursion of behavioral coordination that arise in the community of living [13].

On the other hand, we will define proprioception as one more sense like vision, smell, taste, hearing; it is the sense of the qualities of the body's movement and its situational disposition in space (that the same movements generate) (see **Table 1**). Proprioception is not in itself a form of perception that gives us the "perception of the body", it is not the image, nor the representation, nor the consciousness of the body as an object [14]. The proprioceptive sensation is produced, moment by moment, by the changes in the activity of the proprioceptors that generate the

*Proprioception*

is not intercepted with the corporeal domain (constitutive of the physiological operation), nor with the relational domain (constitutive of the reciprocal interactions that the organism maintains with others and its environment), is constituted as a domain that in its operation generates perturbations both in the state of the organism and in the interactive contexts of the organism. Therefore, it corresponds to a third operational domain, which participates in the modulation of human behavior and experience. The operation of language generates associations, descriptions and interpretations that originate the beliefs of the world of culture that give meaning to the way of doing and relating to individuals, making them learn to incorporate the recurrent and recursive coordination of action. This operational domain, brings the intentional movements from the reflection, which entails the learning of the reflexive movement of orienting the focuses of attention towards the perceptive objects constitutive of the world that the individuals learn to see in the doing with others, within the culture in which they grow. This reflexive attentional movement brings the possibility of the human being to become aware of himself, of the others and of the environment in which they are, by differentiating himself proprioceptively from the objects that he perceives, which occurs by the ways of relating and inter-

acting that are constituted in the way of life of the hominids.

human beings is related to their way of life.

We will now see what happens in the bodily domain of behavior with the structural couplings in the hominid lineages that give rise to the phylogenetic learnings that make the origin of *Homo sapiens* possible. In the lineages of hominids that give rise to the human being, their way of life was generated learning gave rise to the architecture a nervous system that is characterized by a significant increase in brain mass, which means an increase in interneurons that expands the possibilities of structural plasticity of individuals, and thus the ability to learn, which means greater behavioral plasticity. Today we know that the genomes between *Homo sapiens* and anthropoids are almost identical, and from neuroscience it is observed that the regions of the brain have equivalents in the brains of apes. An interesting difference is the development of the generative auditory capacity of phoneme learning that is related to the origin of language [11]. Therefore, the advances of science support with their data the assumption that the origin of the reflection capacity of

Such learning, which modifies the anatomophysiological structure, occurs in a way of life in which the game generates continuous and recurrent coordinations of action, and in this way increases the capacity to manipulate and differentiate objects with which they interact with others. At the same time, they had daily physical encounters in which they groomed themselves, and caressed in sensual and prolonged interlacing of their bodies and continuous sexual games with prolonged physical contact. In this way these dynamics of action generate structural changes in proprioceptive sensorial surfaces that correlate with modifications in motor surfaces, constituting recurrent changes in the sensoriality of the qualities of the movements of dynamics of postural sequences and positions of the different parts of the body, which together with maintaining a frontal vision with the other in the coordination of movement that are accompanied by guttural sounds, establishing in dynamics of action in which they generate movements of joint generative attentions of a perspective of the movement of itself and the other, which entails the reflective learning to sustain a division of centers of attention in movements of visualization of the movement of the other and proprioceptive sensation of the movements that it coordinates with him. Thus, in these dynamics of structural links of character -recurrent and recursive- learning is produced, which are constitutive of sensorimotor patterns that result from the coordination of visual, proprioceptive, tactile and auditory sensations, which constitute the sensation of movement and space of oneself, which occurs simultaneously with the differentiation of others in space.

**104**


#### **Table 1.**

*Proprioceptors and quality of sensation.*

dynamics of the postural sequences of the movement of the individual in structural coupling with the environment. This dynamic phenomenon in which the relations of reciprocity between the changes of the sensorial surfaces and the effector surfaces of the movement, generate that the sensation modulates the movement and the movement in turn, modulates the sensation, a continuous flow of sensationmovement. This flow of sensation-movement is constituted in the operation of sensorimotor patterns that specify qualities of behavioral movement. In the reciprocal interactions of the individual in structural coupling with the environment, the cognitive states specified and that in turn specify, the changes in the dynamics of activity selectivity of the sensorimotor pattern networks that give rise to sensory integration (proprioceptive, visual and vestibular) [15] that define the dynamic body scheme, in a present.

The body schema is defined as an integrated set of sensorimotor processes that organize perception and action in a non-conscious and sub personal way [16]. The body schema is not phenomenologically available to the observer: "the body schema is not the perception of my body, it is not the image, the representation or even the consciousness of the body. Rather, it is precisely the style that organizes the functioning of the body in communion with its environment [17]. On the other hand, body image includes the immediate conscious perception of the body, including the conceptual construction about the body and the emotional attitude and feelings about the body, "being a complex phenomenon that contemplates at least three aspects: perceptual, cognitive and emotional" [17]. However, other definitions have been proposed for this construct: "cognitive representation of the body based on stored knowledge and sensory experience that underlies perceptual judgments" [18], "a representation of the body's shape" [19], "perception of the body's spatial dimension, its size, shape and relative configuration of its parts" [20].

What are we talking about when we talk about proprioceptive perception? Proprioceptive perception differs from the concepts of body schema and body image, since it is a reflexive phenomenon that constitutes an attentional movement of the observer towards the corporeal dimension of his behavior, in a here and now. Thus, proprioceptive perception makes present as object of perception the proprioceptive qualities resulting from the dynamics of postural movement and displacements of the individual in his structural coupling with the environment.

**107**

well-being.

*Proprioceptive Perception: An Emergence of the Interaction of Body and Language*

individual in his structural coupling with the environment.

These qualities configure the perception of the dynamic corporeal space that is defined in a flow of synchronic coordination of movements of the different parts of the body that configure the coherent and unified global movement constitutive of the proprioceptive qualities that result from the sensorimotor operation of the

Thus, proprioceptive perception is the perceptual object of the observer configured with the qualities that make up the internal space that appears sensorially delimited from an external space within which it is situated, generating a perspective of the world of objects from which it differs proprioceptively, perceiving the place in which it exists, in zero time; that is, the living body that constitutes moment to moment, its existence as a living being in a structural coupling with the environment with the capacity to reflect and observe the world that it constitutes in

"If corporeal space and outer space form a practical system, the latter being the background against which it can stand out, or the void before which the object can appear as an objective of our action, it is evidently in the action that the spatiality of the body is carried out, and the analysis of one's movement has to allow us to understand it better. We understand better, as soon as we consider the body in movement, how it inhabits space (and time, for that matter), because movement is not satisfied with passively supporting space and time, it actively assumes them, it takes them back in their original meaning that is erased in the banality of acquired

In this way, proprioceptive perception cannot be understood outside of perception-movement. Proprioceptive perception constitutes the reflexive and corporal movements of two dimensions of human behavior constitutive of disjointed operational domains: language and its corporeality. "Reciprocally, every perceptive habit is still a motor habit and here also the capture of a meaning is made by the

So proprioception does not have a dual nature, as proposed by Gallagher [15], since its nature is biological and responds to physicochemical properties. Proprioception corresponds to the body domain; whose operations are the networks of physiological dynamics that constitute the mechanisms of the correlations of the sensory and motor surfaces. While reflection and movements of the focus correspond to the domain of language, whose operations are the networks of semantic distinctions with operational closure. Therefore, when proprioception is a perceptual object of the observer, both the body and language domains are operating simultaneously on proprioceptive perception. In addition, these disjointed domains modulate each other [21], and reflection and attentional movements can trigger changes in proprioception and in turn proprioception generates changes in the

Consequently, we say that the phenomenon of proprioception is different from the qualities of the perceptual object that the observer configures from his corporeal experience, which results from the modulation of the three operational domains that configure the coherence and uniqueness of his behavior: corporeal, relational and language, moment by moment. Thus, both the proprioception and the proprioceptive perception of the individual in their interactive contexts maintain a structural congruence between both phenomena in their continuous structural changes within their circumstances, thus constituting the effectiveness of their behaviors in relation to both their purposes and the conservation of their

For this we will first address how muscle physiology is involved in the modulation of body perception. The situational disposition of the individual (his posture and movements, in a present) correlates with a configuration of the afferent activity

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95461*

doing with others within its culture.

language domain, as we will see later.

situations." [6].

body." [6].

#### *Proprioceptive Perception: An Emergence of the Interaction of Body and Language DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95461*

These qualities configure the perception of the dynamic corporeal space that is defined in a flow of synchronic coordination of movements of the different parts of the body that configure the coherent and unified global movement constitutive of the proprioceptive qualities that result from the sensorimotor operation of the individual in his structural coupling with the environment.

Thus, proprioceptive perception is the perceptual object of the observer configured with the qualities that make up the internal space that appears sensorially delimited from an external space within which it is situated, generating a perspective of the world of objects from which it differs proprioceptively, perceiving the place in which it exists, in zero time; that is, the living body that constitutes moment to moment, its existence as a living being in a structural coupling with the environment with the capacity to reflect and observe the world that it constitutes in doing with others within its culture.

"If corporeal space and outer space form a practical system, the latter being the background against which it can stand out, or the void before which the object can appear as an objective of our action, it is evidently in the action that the spatiality of the body is carried out, and the analysis of one's movement has to allow us to understand it better. We understand better, as soon as we consider the body in movement, how it inhabits space (and time, for that matter), because movement is not satisfied with passively supporting space and time, it actively assumes them, it takes them back in their original meaning that is erased in the banality of acquired situations." [6].

In this way, proprioceptive perception cannot be understood outside of perception-movement. Proprioceptive perception constitutes the reflexive and corporal movements of two dimensions of human behavior constitutive of disjointed operational domains: language and its corporeality. "Reciprocally, every perceptive habit is still a motor habit and here also the capture of a meaning is made by the body." [6].

So proprioception does not have a dual nature, as proposed by Gallagher [15], since its nature is biological and responds to physicochemical properties. Proprioception corresponds to the body domain; whose operations are the networks of physiological dynamics that constitute the mechanisms of the correlations of the sensory and motor surfaces. While reflection and movements of the focus correspond to the domain of language, whose operations are the networks of semantic distinctions with operational closure. Therefore, when proprioception is a perceptual object of the observer, both the body and language domains are operating simultaneously on proprioceptive perception. In addition, these disjointed domains modulate each other [21], and reflection and attentional movements can trigger changes in proprioception and in turn proprioception generates changes in the language domain, as we will see later.

Consequently, we say that the phenomenon of proprioception is different from the qualities of the perceptual object that the observer configures from his corporeal experience, which results from the modulation of the three operational domains that configure the coherence and uniqueness of his behavior: corporeal, relational and language, moment by moment. Thus, both the proprioception and the proprioceptive perception of the individual in their interactive contexts maintain a structural congruence between both phenomena in their continuous structural changes within their circumstances, thus constituting the effectiveness of their behaviors in relation to both their purposes and the conservation of their well-being.

For this we will first address how muscle physiology is involved in the modulation of body perception. The situational disposition of the individual (his posture and movements, in a present) correlates with a configuration of the afferent activity

*Proprioception*

**Table 1.**

dynamics of the postural sequences of the movement of the individual in structural coupling with the environment. This dynamic phenomenon in which the relations of reciprocity between the changes of the sensorial surfaces and the effector surfaces of the movement, generate that the sensation modulates the movement and the movement in turn, modulates the sensation, a continuous flow of sensationmovement. This flow of sensation-movement is constituted in the operation of sensorimotor patterns that specify qualities of behavioral movement. In the reciprocal interactions of the individual in structural coupling with the environment, the cognitive states specified and that in turn specify, the changes in the dynamics of activity selectivity of the sensorimotor pattern networks that give rise to sensory integration (proprioceptive, visual and vestibular) [15] that define the dynamic

Joint Group I & II Range, speed and position of the joint. Group I

**Location Proprioceptor Quality of sensation**

in the skin: two fast adapting and three slow adapting

Length, speed, acceleration and deceleration

changes and muscle damage/inflammation

(dynamic and static, low threshold, slow adapting),

Contact and texture of objects. The tension of the skin contributes to the sense of movement of the joint. More sensitive to dynamic than static

Minimal over-contraction force.

Group II (dynamic, fast adapting)

Group IV Feedback on excessive stress on the joint. Sensitive to joint inflammation

stimulation

Golgi tendon organ Dynamic changes of the contraction force Group III y IV Chemosensitives. Information on metabolic

Muscle Spindle afferents Ia

Skin mechanoreceptors 5 types of receptors

*Proprioceptors and quality of sensation.*

& II

The body schema is defined as an integrated set of sensorimotor processes that organize perception and action in a non-conscious and sub personal way [16]. The body schema is not phenomenologically available to the observer: "the body schema is not the perception of my body, it is not the image, the representation or even the consciousness of the body. Rather, it is precisely the style that organizes the functioning of the body in communion with its environment [17]. On the other hand, body image includes the immediate conscious perception of the body, including the conceptual construction about the body and the emotional attitude and feelings about the body, "being a complex phenomenon that contemplates at least three aspects: perceptual, cognitive and emotional" [17]. However, other definitions have been proposed for this construct: "cognitive representation of the body based on stored knowledge and sensory experience that underlies perceptual judgments" [18], "a representation of the body's shape" [19], "perception of the body's spatial

dimension, its size, shape and relative configuration of its parts" [20].

What are we talking about when we talk about proprioceptive perception? Proprioceptive perception differs from the concepts of body schema and body image, since it is a reflexive phenomenon that constitutes an attentional movement of the observer towards the corporeal dimension of his behavior, in a here and now. Thus, proprioceptive perception makes present as object of perception the proprioceptive qualities resulting from the dynamics of postural movement and displacements of the individual in his structural coupling with the environment.

**106**

body scheme, in a present.

of the proprioceptors coming from the skin, the joints and the muscles that are projected towards the primary somatosensory cortex and the primary motor cortex, to then converge in higher order somatosensory regions [20]. The integration and comparison of proprioceptive activity with the activity of other sensory modalities (and the reflective capacity of the human being) triggers the perception of the size of the body parts, which is relative to the perception of other body parts, as well as to the environment in which the individual is coupled in a present. Thus, in situations where the activity of the nervous system presents a change in the relationships that are generative of its structure, as is the case of a vascular accident, epilepsy, anesthesia or migraine, the perception of size and shape of body parts will be modulated by this configuration, which is commonly understood as a perceptual "illusion" of the body. This phenomenon has also been observed by applying an external vibration in specific muscle regions [22]. Since the afferent activity of the muscle is modulating the sensation of the position of the limb, when performing such stimulation, it is possible to generate the "illusion" of the perception of the movement of the limb or the whole body in a desired virtual direction.

In these cases, the perception of the body is modified by unintentional factors on the part of the individual. However, the human being, through his reflective capacity, has the ability to direct his attention to the perception of his body and with it modulate the perception of the relative size and shape of his body parts. The evidence shows how paying attention to proprioceptive sensations (directing attention to movement during the execution of a task) generates a change in the sensitivity of the muscle spindle [23, 24], which would be modulating the perception of movement of the individual in its structural coupling with the environment. In this sense, training the proprioceptive perception we can modulate the muscular physiological activity, which as we will see, modulates in turn the sensorimotor correlations of the basic emotions.
