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The heart knows you are wrong: Heart rate modulations associated with perceptual errors
María I Cobos1, Pedro M Guerra2, Ana B Chica1
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Granada (UGR), Spain; Brain, Mind, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada (UGR), Spain.
Biological Psychology
|January 25, 2026
Summary
The peripheral nervous system, specifically heart rate, is modulated by visual feature integration. Illusory perceptions, unlike correct ones, show distinct heart rate patterns, suggesting a role for physiological measures in perception research.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychophysiology
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Subjective experience can be inaccurate, leading to illusory perceptions when features are erroneously integrated.
- Previous research on feature integration has largely overlooked the role of the peripheral nervous system.
- The heart rate's modulation by perceptual processes, particularly feature integration, remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether heart rate is modulated by the perceptual process of feature integration.
- To examine the influence of phasic alerting and top-down expectancies on feature integration and associated heart rate responses.
- To explore the differential physiological responses of the peripheral nervous system to correct versus incorrect visual feature integration.
Main Methods:
- A color-shape discrimination task was employed, designed to elicit 70% correct responses (hits) and 30% incorrect responses (illusions).
- Phasic alerting was manipulated using a preceding tone in 50% of trials.
- Top-down expectancies were explored by introducing an unexpected attribute, and heart rate was continuously monitored.
Main Results:
- Phasic alertness did not affect feature integration accuracy but did speed up response times.
- Correct feature integration (hits) resulted in faster responses compared to incorrect integrations (illusions).
- Heart rate exhibited differential modulation, with illusions showing a more pronounced deceleration pattern than hits. Awareness of expectancy manipulation also influenced heart rate patterns.
Conclusions:
- The peripheral nervous system, indicated by heart rate, responds differently to correct and illusory visual feature integration.
- Phasic alerting and expectancies influence response times and physiological responses during perception.
- Peripheral physiological measures, such as heart rate, are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of visual perception and feature integration.
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