Interplay between order-parameter and system parameter dynamics: considerations on perceptual-cognitive-behavioral mode-mode transitions exhibiting positive and negative hysteresis and on response times.
A mathematical model is presented for the emergence of perceptual-cognitive-behavioral modes in psychophysical experiments in which participants are confronted with two alternatives. The model is based on the theory of self-organization and, in particular, the order parameter concept such that the emergence of a mode is conceptualized as an instability leading to the emergence of an appropriately defined order parameter. The order parameter model is merged with a second model that describes adaptation in terms of a system parameter dynamics. It is shown that the two-component model predicts hysteretic mode-mode transitions when control parameters are increased or decreased beyond critical values. The two-component model can account for both positive and negative hysteresis effects due to the interaction between order parameter and system parameter dynamics. Moreover, the model-based analysis reveals that response time curves look rather flat when response times are relatively decoupled from the mode-mode transition phenomenon. In general, response time curves exhibit a peaked close to the mode-mode transition point. In this context, the possibility is discussed that such peaked response time curves belong to the class of critical phenomena of self-organizing systems. In order to illustrate the relevance of peaked response time curves for future research and research reported in the past, results from a perceptual judgment experiment are reported, in which participants judged their ability to stand on a tilted slope for various angles of inclination. Response time curves were found that exhibited a peak around the mode-mode-transition points between "yes" and "no" responses.
Center for the Ecological Study of Perception and Action, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA, till.frank@uconn.edu.
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TD
Frank
V L S
VL
Profeta
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HS
Harrison
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010465:Perception; D011601:Psychophysics; D011930:Reaction Time; D055815:Young Adult