Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Sensory consequences resulting from own movements receive different neural processing compared to externally generated sensory consequences (e.g., by a computer), leading to sensory attenuation, i.e., a reduction in perceived intensity or brain evoked responses. However, discrepant findings exist from different cultural regions about whether sensory attenuation is also present for sensory consequences generated by others. In this study, we performed a cross culture (between Chinese and British) comparison on the processing of sensory consequences (perceived loudness) from self and others compared to an external source in the auditory domain. We found a cultural difference in processing sensory consequences generated by others, with only Chinese and not British showing the sensory attenuation effect. Sensory attenuation in this case was correlated with independent self-construal scores. The sensory attenuation effect for self-generated sensory consequences was not replicated. However, a correlation with delusional ideation was observed for British. These findings are discussed with respects to mechanisms of sensory attenuation.
Highlights
Auditory processing is influenced by top–down processes
The within cultural group t-test showed that sensory attenuation for others among Chinese was significant with a smaller Point of subjective equality (PSE) value in ‘other’ condition (t(29) = −2.79, p < 0.01, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = [−0.24, −0.04], Cohen’s d = −0.51) and no such effect was found among British (t(26) = −0.28, p = 0.78, CI = [−0.13, 0.10], Cohen’s d = −0.05)
We report a cultural difference in perception of sensory consequences generated by others
Summary
Auditory processing is influenced by top–down processes. For example, self-generated tones are perceived as lower in intensity as compared to externally generated tones (Sato, 2008; Weiss et al, 2011), known as the sensory attenuation effect (sensory attenuation for the self). Sato (2008) found that merely watching others generate a tone (by pressing a button) makes the tone be perceived lower in intensity (sensory attenuation for others) This indicates that the fact of watching/knowing a tone was generated by others’ acts as a top–down factor to modulate auditory perception. Sensory attenuation for others was not successfully replicated later with a very similar testing paradigm (Weiss et al, 2011), noting that Sato (2008) study was from Japan and Weiss et al (2011) study was from Germany This raises the possibility that the effect is contingent on the cultural backgrounds of participants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
