TY - JOUR
T1 - Network dynamics of attention during a naturalistic behavioral paradigm
AU - Weber, René
AU - Alicea, Bradly
AU - Huskey, Richard
AU - Mathiak, Klaus
N1 - Funding Information:
Contract grant sponsors: TL Foundation and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG); contract grant numbers: SFB550/B1 and Th812/1-1; contract grant sponsors: U.S. Annenberg Endowment (to RW) and AstraZeneca (to KM).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Weber, Alicea, Huskey and Mathiak.
PY - 2018/5/4
Y1 - 2018/5/4
N2 - This study investigates the dynamics of attention during continuous, naturalistic interactions in a video game. Specifically, the effect of repeated distraction on a continuous primary task is related to a functional model of network connectivity. We introduce the Non-linear Attentional Saturation Hypothesis (NASH), which predicts that effective connectivity within attentional networks increases non-linearly with decreasing distraction over time, and exhibits dampening at critical parameter values. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data collected using a naturalistic behavioral paradigm coupled with an interactive video game is used to test the hypothesis. As predicted, connectivity in pre-defined regions corresponding to attentional networks increases as distraction decreases. Moreover, the functional relationship between connectivity and distraction is convex, that is, network connectivity somewhat increases as distraction decreases during the continuous primary task, however, connectivity increases considerably as distraction falls below critical levels. This result characterizes the non-linear pattern of connectivity within attentional networks, particularly with respect to their dynamics during behavior. These results are also summarized in the form of a network structure analysis, which underscores the role of various nodes in regulating the global network state. In conclusion, we situate the implications of this research in the context of cognitive complexity and an emerging theory of flow during media exposure.
AB - This study investigates the dynamics of attention during continuous, naturalistic interactions in a video game. Specifically, the effect of repeated distraction on a continuous primary task is related to a functional model of network connectivity. We introduce the Non-linear Attentional Saturation Hypothesis (NASH), which predicts that effective connectivity within attentional networks increases non-linearly with decreasing distraction over time, and exhibits dampening at critical parameter values. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data collected using a naturalistic behavioral paradigm coupled with an interactive video game is used to test the hypothesis. As predicted, connectivity in pre-defined regions corresponding to attentional networks increases as distraction decreases. Moreover, the functional relationship between connectivity and distraction is convex, that is, network connectivity somewhat increases as distraction decreases during the continuous primary task, however, connectivity increases considerably as distraction falls below critical levels. This result characterizes the non-linear pattern of connectivity within attentional networks, particularly with respect to their dynamics during behavior. These results are also summarized in the form of a network structure analysis, which underscores the role of various nodes in regulating the global network state. In conclusion, we situate the implications of this research in the context of cognitive complexity and an emerging theory of flow during media exposure.
KW - Attentional networks
KW - Cognitive dynamics
KW - Functional magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Interactivity
KW - Network neuroscience
KW - Video games
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85046888263&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00182
DO - 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00182
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85046888263
SN - 1662-5161
VL - 12
JO - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
JF - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
M1 - 182
ER -