A guideline for linking brain wave findings to the various aspects of discrete perception. (7th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Menétrey, Maëlan Q.; Vogelsang, Lukas; Herzog, Michael H.
• Other Names: Keitel Christian guestEditor.; Ruxxoli Manuela guestEditor.; Dugué Laura guestEditor.; Busch Niko A. guestEditor.; Benwell Christopher SY guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neuroscience. Volume 55:Number 11/12(2022)
• Page Start: 3528
• Page End: 3537
• Publication Date: 2021-07-07
• Subjects: brain rhythms -- consciousness -- discrete perception -- EEG -- temporal structure; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15349
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-816X

Abstract

Abstract: Brain waves, determined by electrical and magnetic brain recordings (e.g., EEG and MEG), and fluctuating behavioral responses, determined by response time or accuracy measures, are frequently taken to support discrete perception. For example, it has been proposed that humans experience only one conscious percept per brain wave (e.g., during one alpha cycle). However, the proposed link between brain waves and discrete perception is typically rather vague. More importantly, there are many models and aspects of discrete perception and it is often not apparent in what theoretical framework brain wave findings are interpreted and to what specific aspects of discrete perception they relate. Here, we review different approaches to discrete perception and highlight issues with particular interpretations. We then discuss how certain findings on brain waves may relate to certain aspects of discrete perception. The main purpose of this meta‐contribution is to give a short overview of discrete models of perception and to illustrate the need to make explicit what aspects of discrete theories are addressed by what aspects of brain wave findings. Abstract : What aspects of discrete perception theories are addressed when brain wave findings are related to discrete perception? The first aspect we propose requires clarifying whether findings are about the content of consciousness or the temporal structure of consciousness per se . The second aspect requires specifying the choice of intermittency theory and its consequences on conscious and unconscious processing. The third aspect requires showing whether sampling in discrete perception is necessarily linked to specific brain rhythms and addressing the issue of multiple temporal resolutions.