biostudies-literatureWen WMoonshot Research and Development ProgramJapan Science and Technology Agency15473https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11226441biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)The face serves as a crucial cue for self-identification, while the sense of agency plays a significant role in determining our influence through actions in the environment. The current study investigates how self-identification through facial recognition may influence the perception of control via motion. We propose that self-identification might engender a belief in having control over one's own face, leading to a more acute detection and greater emphasis on discrepancies between their actions and the sensory feedback in control judgments. We refer to the condition governed by the belief in having control as the exploitation mode. Conversely, when manipulating another individual's face, the belief in personal control is absent. In such cases, individuals are likely to rely on the regularScientific reportsControl over self and others' face: exploitation and exploration.PMC11226441JPMJPR23I4JPMJMS2013JPMJFR2144Suzuishi YKasahara SMei JAktas HChang AYWen WfalseControl over self and others' face: exploitation and exploration.The face serves as a crucial cue for self-identification, while the sense of agency plays a significant role in determining our influence through actions in the environment. The current study investigates how self-identification through facial recognition may influence the perception of control via motion. We propose that self-identification might engender a belief in having control over one's own face, leading to a more acute detection and greater emphasis on discrepancies between their actions and the sensory feedback in control judgments. We refer to the condition governed by the belief in having control as the exploitation mode. Conversely, when manipulating another individual's face, the belief in personal control is absent. In such cases, individuals are likely to rely on the regular2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-04-22T15:36:54.607Z2025-04-06T01:24:12.989ZS-EPMC112264413896973410.1038/s41598-024-66316-2