A nonlinear dynamics phase oscillator model for the simulation of multistable perception

Abstract

A nonlinear dynamics model of multistable perception and numerical simulations of the quasiperiodic perception reversals due to ambiguous stimuli are presented. The perception state is formalized as the phase variable (order parameter) of a recursive cosinuidal map with the two control parameters μ= difference of meaning and G ~ attention. The mapping function is closely related to the neuronal mean field phase oscillator theory of temporal binding. Mean field interference with delayed phase feedback with gain ∼ G, delay T, and damping time τ enables transitions between chaotic and limit cycle attractors representing the perception states. Quasiperiodic perceptual reversals are induced by attention satiation (fatigue) G(t) with time constant γ. The coupled attention – perception dynamics reproduces the experimentally observed Γ-distribution of the reversal time statistics if a stochastic noise term is added to the attention equation. Mean reversal times of typically 3 – 5 s as reported in the literature, are correctly predicted if T is associated with the delay of 40 ms between stimulus onset and primary visual cortex (V1) response. Numerically determined perceptual transition times of 3 – 5 T are in reasonable agreement with stimulus – conscious perception delay of 150 – 200 ms (Lamme 2003). Eigenfrequencies of the limit cycle oscillations are in the range of 10 – 100 Hz, in agreement with typical EEG frequencies.