The word "autoscopy" refers to a hallucination or perception of seeing one's own body from outside of it. The correct spelling of this word is /ɔːtɒskəpi/. The first syllable is pronounced like "aught," while the second syllable is pronounced with a short "o" sound, like "lot." The "s" in the middle of the word is pronounced as a soft "c" sound, like "sigh." The ending "-scopy" is pronounced like "skoh-pee." The IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the spelling of this complex word.
Autoscopy is a phenomenological experience characterized by perceiving one's own body or image from an external perspective. This term is derived from the Greek words "auto" (self) and "skopein" (to see), reflecting its meaning as "self-seeing." Autoscopy can manifest in various forms, such as visual or auditory hallucinations, in which an individual perceives themselves as an external observer. It involves a sensation of seeing oneself as if looking at a mirror or encountering a doppelgänger.
In autoscopy, individuals may have a distinct feeling of duality, perceiving themselves simultaneously from their original bodily perspective and an external vantage point. This phenomenon can be associated with neurological conditions, psychiatric disorders, or altered states of consciousness induced by drugs or meditation techniques.
Although autoscopy shares similarities with out-of-body experiences, there is a distinction between the two. While out-of-body experiences involve a separation of consciousness from the physical body, autoscopy involves an external perception of oneself, maintaining a connection with the physical body.
The phenomenon of autoscopy has been investigated within the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and parapsychology. It is often utilized in research and clinical contexts to better understand the mechanisms underlying self-perception, consciousness, and the boundaries of the self.
In summary, autoscopy is the perceptual experience of seeing oneself from an external perspective, contributing to the exploration of self-perception and consciousness.
1. Inspection of one's own organs or cavities. 2. Direct or orthoscopic inspection of the larynx without the use of a mirror.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "autoscopy" is derived from the Greek words "autos" meaning "self" and "skopeo" meaning "to look at". When combined, "autoscopy" refers to the act of seeing one's own reflection or image. It is commonly used in medical and psychological contexts to describe a phenomenon where individuals perceive themselves as outside of their own body and observe themselves from an external perspective.