Abstract
In a dynamically changing environment, the ability to capture regularities in our sensory input helps us generate predictions about future events. In most sensory systems, the basic finding is clear: Knowing when something will happen improves performance on it [Nobre, A. C., & van Ede, F. (2017). Anticipated moments: Temporal structure in attention. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 19, 34–48, 2017]. We here examined the impact of temporal predictions on a less-explored modality: touch. Participants were instructed to detect a brief target embedded in an ongoing vibrotactile stimulus. Unbeknownst to them, the experiment had two timing conditions: In one part, the time of target onset was fixed and thus temporally predictable, whereas in the other, it could appear at a random time within the ongoing stimulation. We found a clear modulation of detection thresholds due to temporal predictability: Contrary to other sensory systems, detecting a predictable tactile target was worse relative to unpredictable targets. We discuss our findings within the framework of tactile suppression.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 315-325 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cognitive Neuroscience