Neurobiology of knowledge and misperception of lyrics by means of a novel method to induce concurring auditory perceptions by using Mondegreens and Soramimi

Abstract

Expectations and previous knowledge can severely influence our perception. This so called top-down modulation in the processing of perception has been largely investigated in the visual modality, using ambiguous stimuli material such as reversible figures. We launch a novel method to study this issue in the auditory field. The method is based on Mondegreens and Soramimi: song lyrics which can be misperceived within one language or through switching between two languages. We proved through a behavioral experiment that misperceptions can be externally induced by visual presentation of the alternate percept as subtitles. Misperceptions appear with a sufficient probability for further use in neuroscientific experiments. The method comes into effect in a subsequent study including two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments to fathom the neural correlates of knowledge and misperception of lyrics. The familiarity of the song is irrelevant, but the prior knowledge of alternative lyrics has a strong influence on the strength of misperception. Verbal fluency, seen as source for possible interpretations, as well as wittiness of the alternate perception increased the strength of misperception. This is in accordance with Hermann von Helmholtz´s theories that perception is based on comparable processes as problem solving. The first fMRI experiment revealed a linear correlation between familiarity of lyrics and activation in left-hemispheric speech-associated as well as bilateral striatal regions which is accordant with prior research on lyric-generation. The second fMRI experiment elucidated a bilateral network connected to the mis-perception of lyrics. This network included middle temporal and inferior frontal regions as well as anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medio-dorsal thalamus Activation in the ACC is also related to how amusing participants rated the mis-perceptions. This is solidifying prior research on this region linked to the pleas-urable sensation of chills while listening to music. Misperceptions of song lyrics are mostly harmless, but our results could serve as a more general neurobiological model for additional studies on other types of misunderstandings which can present events with potentially powerful impact on our social life.