The propensity to perceive meaningful coincidences is associated with increased posterior alpha power during retention of information in a modified Sternberg paradigm |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cincinnati, United States;2. Department of Psychology, Miami University, United States;1. University of Queensland, School of Psychology, Brisbane, Australia;2. University of Queensland, Centre for Advanced Imaging, Brisbane, Australia;3. Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia;1. Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U862, Neurocenter Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, Bordeaux, France.;2. Universitaire de Bordeaux, Institut de Bio-imagerie de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.;3. Unite Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5293, Institut des maladies Neurodégénératives, Bordeaux, France.;4. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Service de NeuroImagerie Diagnostique et Thérapeutique, Bordeaux, France.;1. Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1;2. Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1 |
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| Abstract: | There are ample inter-individual differences in the frequency with which people perceive meaningful coincidences. Previous research has identified increased proactive interference, that is a reduced working memory capacity, as one possible mechanism associated with this phenomenon. The present study aimed at extending this finding into the domain of neuroscience, (1) by assessing EEG alpha oscillations during the retention of information, (2) by replicating the behavioral link between meaningful coincidences and proactive interference. In a sample of 52 participants, the behavioral replication was successful. Furthermore, participants who perceived more meaningful coincidences showed higher alpha power increases at parietal-occipital sites, and at the same time, displayed lower alpha power increases at frontal areas, during retention of information. This neurophysiological activation pattern further underlines the assumption that participants who perceive more meaningful coincidences show lower working memory capacities, since increased alpha power at parietal areas reflects a higher load on working memory demands. |
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| Keywords: | Meaningful coincidences Apophenia Working memory Alpha power False positives |
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