Rhythmic modulation of visual discrimination is linked to individuals' spontaneous motor tempo. (22nd December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Snapiri, Leah; Kaplan, Yael; Shalev, Nir; Landau, Ayelet N.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neuroscience. Volume 57:Number 4(2023)
• Page Start: 646
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2022-12-22
• Subjects: active sensing -- individual differences -- rhythmic facilitation -- tapping -- visual discrimination; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15898
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-816X

Abstract

Abstract: The impact of external rhythmic structure on perception has been demonstrated across different modalities and experimental paradigms. However, recent findings emphasize substantial individual differences in rhythm‐based perceptual modulation. Here, we examine the link between spontaneous rhythmic preferences, as measured through the motor system, and individual differences in rhythmic modulation of visual discrimination. As a first step, we measure individual rhythmic preferences using the spontaneous tapping task. Then we assess perceptual rhythmic modulation using a visual discrimination task in which targets can appear either in‐phase or out‐of‐phase with a preceding rhythmic stream of visual stimuli. The tempo of the preceding stream was manipulated over different experimental blocks (0.77 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 2 Hz). We find that visual rhythmic stimulation modulates discrimination performance. The modulation is dependent on the tempo of stimulation, with maximal perceptual benefits for the slowest tempo of stimulation (0.77 Hz). Most importantly, the strength of modulation is also linked to individuals' spontaneous motor tempo. Individuals with slower spontaneous tempi show greater rhythmic modulation compared to individuals with faster spontaneous tempi. This finding suggests that different tempi affect the cognitive system with varying levels of efficiency and that self‐generated rhythms impact our ability to utilize rhythmic structure in the environment for guiding perception and performance. Abstract : In the current study, we examined the relationship between individuals' spontaneous motor tempo and rhythm‐based perceptual modulation. We found that slow rhythmic stimulation resulted in greater perceptual facilitation compared to fast rhythmic stimulation. We also found that individuals with a slow spontaneous tempo were more affected by external rhythmic stimulation compared to individuals with a fast spontaneous tempo.