New methods, old questions: advancing the study of unconscious perception.

Research on unconscious perception has faced persistent methodological challenges since the late 19th century. This review discusses key difficulties in demonstrating perception without awareness, examining how objective versus subjective measures of awareness produce different awareness thresholds and lead to alternative experimental approaches. New methodologies include regression-based Bayesian modeling, sensitivity vs. awareness curves from General Recognition Theory, the liminal-prime paradigm, and two-interval forced choice designs. The authors emphasize the need for brain-based approaches and highlight promising studies in this area, along with the role of individual differences and frameworks such as predictive coding and active inference. These advances aim to address challenges in demonstrating cognition without awareness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Since the early experimental studies of the late 19th century, research on unconscious perception has been shaped by persistent methodological challenges and evolving experimental approaches aimed at demonstrating perception without awareness. In this review, we will discuss some of the most relevant challenges researchers have faced in demonstrating unconscious perception, and examine how different measures of awareness (e.g., objective vs. subjective) yield different awareness thresholds-often leading to two alternative approaches to demonstrating unconscious perception. We will further explore new methodologies in the field, such as regression-based Bayesian modeling, sensitivity vs. awareness (SvA) curves derived from General Recognition Theory (GRT), the liminal-prime paradigm, and two-interval forced choice (2IFC) designs. Finally, we emphasize the need for brain-based approaches to unconscious perception and discussed some promising studies in this area, while also highlighting the role of individual differences and alternative frameworks such as predictive coding and active inference views in future research. Overall, the new approaches and methodologies discussed here will advance the field by addressing the challenges inherent in demonstrating cognition in the absence of awareness.