Title: Persistent order-driven biases in auditory relevance-filtering processes - a mismatch negativity (MMN) study.
-
1
University of Newcastle, Australia
-
2
University of Szeged, Hungary
Background Mismatch negativity (MMN) occurs when sounds violate a standard regularity in a sequence. The system supporting MMN specifies properties of future stimulation to follow the last encountered sound – perceptual inferences based on transition statistics. MMN size is proportional to confidence in this inference. Our research suggests that confidence estimates do not always reflect transition statistics as commonly assumed. An order-driven bias distorts how volatility in a pattern over time impacts MMN size. Here we tested a theory about the mechanisms driving the bias - that a silent gap between sequences is needed to reset it. Method Sequences comprised 2 tones alternating roles as standard (p=.875) and deviant (p=.125). Sequences contained 1920 tones (50% of each) and differed in role alternation rate (volatility). In slow sequences roles were stable (changing every 460 tones = 2.4 min), in fast sequences, volatile (changing every 180 tones = 0.8 min). Sequences occurred in 4 configurations: slow?gap?fast, slow?fast, fast?gap?slow, fast?slow. The order of sequence speed (slow?fast, fast?slow), and condition (gap first, no gap first) was counterbalanced across participants. Results Consistent with prior studies if there was a gap between sequences, volatility affected MMN size for the first deviant only. MMN to the first deviant was larger in slow than fast sequences (p<.05) consistent with theory. MMN to the second deviant (formerly first standard) was not modulated by volatility. When the gap was removed the above pattern was only present if the slow sequence came first. If the fast sequence was first, the low confidence that lead to small MMN for the first deviant persisted preventing the expected increment in MMN during stable sequences. Discussion The data are our 5th replication of the bias and offer insight into the driving mechanisms. Importantly, the bias is not overwritten by subsequent evidence unless a gap interrupts the stream of sound.
Keywords:
Perception,
Bias,
MMN,
mismatch negativity,
Order-driven bias
Conference:
XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 Jul - 31 Jul, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Sensation and Perception
Citation:
Damaso
K,
Mullens
D,
Whitson
L,
Provost
A,
Heathcote
A,
Winkler
I and
Todd
J
(2015). Title: Persistent order-driven biases in auditory relevance-filtering processes - a mismatch negativity (MMN) study..
Conference Abstract:
XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2015.217.00135
Copyright:
The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers.
They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters.
The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated.
Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed.
For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions.
Received:
19 Feb 2015;
Published Online:
24 Apr 2015.
*
Correspondence:
Ms. Karlye Damaso, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, karlye.damaso@uon.edu.au
Mr. Alexander Provost, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, alexander.provost@newcastle.edu.au
Prof. Andrew Heathcote, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, andrew.heathcote@newcastle.edu.au
Prof. Istvan Winkler, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, winkler.istvan@ttk.mta.hu
Dr. Juanita Todd, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, juanita.todd@newcastle.edu.au