A guideline for linking brain wave findings to the various aspects of discrete perception.

Brain waves (EEG, MEG) and fluctuating behavioral responses are often cited as evidence for discrete perception—the idea that conscious experience occurs in discrete snapshots, such as one percept per alpha cycle. However, the connection between brain waves and discrete perception is often vague. This review examines different models of discrete perception, highlights problems with specific interpretations, and discusses how certain brain wave findings may relate to particular aspects of discrete theories. The main goal is to provide a short overview of discrete perception models and to emphasize the need to clarify which aspects of these theories are addressed by which brain wave findings.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Brain waves, determined by electrical and magnetic brain recordings (e.g., EEG and MEG), and fluctuating behavioral responses, determined by response time or accuracy measures, are frequently taken to support discrete perception. For example, it has been proposed that humans experience only one conscious percept per brain wave (e.g., during one alpha cycle). However, the proposed link between brain waves and discrete perception is typically rather vague. More importantly, there are many models and aspects of discrete perception and it is often not apparent in what theoretical framework brain wave findings are interpreted and to what specific aspects of discrete perception they relate. Here, we review different approaches to discrete perception and highlight issues with particular interpretations. We then discuss how certain findings on brain waves may relate to certain aspects of discrete perception. The main purpose of this meta-contribution is to give a short overview of discrete models of perception and to illustrate the need to make explicit what aspects of discrete theories are addressed by what aspects of brain wave findings.