Nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamics provide the underlying physical mechanism of the perceptual rivalry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unified physical framework based on nonequilibrium thermodynamics to explain perceptual rivalry, revealing underlying mechanisms, state transition dynamics, and linking thermodynamics with neuro-electrophysiological data.

Contribution

It develops a novel physical model that describes perceptual rivalry as a phase transition process involving nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamics, providing a comprehensive understanding beyond traditional cognitive theories.

Findings

Identifies dominant switching paths among perceptual states.

Quantifies perceptual durations, switching frequencies, and perception proportions.

Links thermodynamic measures like entropy production to neuro-electrophysiological data.

Abstract

Perceptual rivalry, where conflicting sensory information leads to alternating perceptions crucial for associated cognitive function, has attracted researcher's attention for long. Despite progresses being made, recent studies have revealed limitations and inconsistencies in our understanding across various rivalry contexts. We develop a unified physical framework, where perception undergoes a consecutive phase transition process encompassing different multi-state competitions. We reveal the underlying mechanisms of perceptual rivalry by identifying dominant switching paths among perceptual states and quantifying mean perceptual durations, switching frequencies, and proportions of different perceptions. We uncover the underlying nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamics by analyzing average nonequilibrium flux and entropy production rate, while associated time series irreversibility reflects the underlying nonequilibrium mechanism of perceptual rivalry and link thermodynamical results with neuro-electrophysiological experiments. Our framework provides a global and physical understanding of brain perception, which may go beyond cognitive science or psychology but embodies the connection with wider fields as decision-making.