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Auditory Multi-Stability: Idiosyncratic Perceptual Switching Patterns, Executive Functions and Personality Traits.
Dávid Farkas1,2, Susan L Denham3, Alexandra Bendixen4
1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
Plos One
|May 3, 2016
Summary
Individual auditory perception switching patterns are linked to personality and executive functions. Higher switching frequency correlates with ego-resiliency and a tendency to explore auditory environments.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Perception
Background:
- Multi-stability describes stochastic perceptual switching between interpretations of constant stimuli.
- Individual auditory streaming paradigm switching patterns exhibit stable, idiosyncratic characteristics.
- Understanding these patterns' correlates is crucial for cognitive and personality research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between individual perceptual switching patterns in auditory streaming and executive functions, personality traits, and creativity.
- To identify key dimensions of inter-individual variance in switching patterns.
- To explore the potential link between switching patterns and auditory exploration tendencies.
Main Methods:
- Multidimensional scaling was employed to identify main dimensions of inter-individual differences in switching patterns.
- Correlations were analyzed between switching pattern dimensions and measures of executive functions, personality traits (including ego-resiliency), and creativity.
- Switching frequency, perception of unusual interpretations, and delay to perceptual alternatives were quantified.
Main Results:
- A primary dimension of switching patterns was identified, with high scorers switching more frequently and experiencing alternatives sooner.
- Individuals scoring high on this dimension perceived unusual interpretations more often.
- Ego-resiliency, reflecting adaptive flexibility and experience seeking, positively correlated with this primary switching dimension.
Conclusions:
- The primary dimension of individual switching patterns in auditory streaming may represent an individual's tendency to explore their auditory environment.
- Executive functions are associated with global switching pattern properties, such as average switch rate.
- Stable, idiosyncratic perceptual switching patterns are demonstrably linked to specific personality traits and executive functions.
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