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Pupillometry in auditory multistability
Jan Grenzebach1,2, Thomas G G Wegner1,2, Wolfgang Einhäuser2
1Cognitive Systems Lab, Institute of Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany.
Plos One
|June 4, 2021
Summary
Pupil dilation occurs during auditory streaming perceptual switches. Active responses to external changes cause stronger pupil dilation than internal perceptual shifts, highlighting challenges in studying multistability.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Auditory Perception
- Psychophysics
Background:
- Multistability involves alternating perceptions from constant stimuli.
- Pupil dilation accompanies perceptual switches in visual multistability.
- Auditory streaming presents a model for studying auditory multistability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pupil dilation during auditory streaming perceptual switches.
- To compare pupil responses to endogenous perceptual switches versus exogenous stimulus changes.
- To explore methodological challenges in isolating perceptual effects in multistability.
Main Methods:
- Participants listened to alternating tones creating auditory streaming.
- Pupil dilation was measured during perceptual switches (multistable condition).
- Pupil responses were compared to actual stimulus changes (replay condition) and random button presses.
Main Results:
- Significant pupil dilation was observed around reported perceptual switches in auditory streaming.
- Pupil dilation was greater for responses to exogenous stimulus changes than for endogenous perceptual switches.
- Random button presses, when timed similarly to perceptual switches, also elicited significant pupil dilation.
Conclusions:
- Pupil dilation is linked to perceptual switches in auditory multistability.
- Active responses to external stimuli evoke stronger pupil dilation than internal perceptual shifts.
- Methodological approaches are needed to differentiate perceptual effects from response-related activity in multistability research.
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