Mechanisms and outcomes of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
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Swart, Thomas R.. 2023. Mechanisms and outcomes of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]
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Text (Mechanisms and outcomes of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)
PSY_thesis_SwartT_2023.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (4MB) | Preview |
Abstract or Description
People who experience autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) report a complex emotional response of calming, tingling sensations that originate around the crown of the head in response to a specific subset of somatosensory and/or audio-visual triggers. Recently, the authenticity of these experiences has been established. This thesis aimed to build on prior work to further characterise both state and trait ASMR in terms of classification, empathic abilities and electrophysiological neural correlates. In Chapter 1 a brief review of the current literature is described, followed by an introductory methodology chapter.
Chapter 3 introduces a novel data-driven tool that is able to capture both state and trait ASMR, whilst also identifying potential respondents who report experiencing ASMR but who would otherwise fail a follow-up confirmation (e.g., negative associated affect). Using this data-driven approach in respondent classification allows a more comprehensive profiling of how participants respond to ASMR stimuli. This raises the potential to better understand mechanisms and broader traits associated with sub-groups of ASMR-responders in the future.
I further unpack the relationship between ASMR and empathy in Chapter 4. Results show that ASMR responders perform better at tasks designed to measure emotion identification capabilities. These findings systematically delineate the relationship between ASMR and empathy and show the importance of investigating subcomponents of the empathic process in order to fully explain the nature of individual differences in empathic response.
In Chapter 5 I sought to provide source-level signatures of oscillatory changes induced by this phenomenon and investigate potential decay effects — oscillatory changes in the absence of self-reported ASMR. Altogether, I showed the robust changes in the patterns of dynamical brain oscillations associated with an ASMR tingling experience. Further, I demonstrated the longlasting effects of ASMR across a wide range of brain regions and oscillatory powers.
Together, I propose a neural model of ASMR based on the principles of stochastic resonance and synchronisation in Chapter 6. Using testable hypotheses, I hope this model builds on prior work and progresses our understanding of the neurological basis of ASMR and the role neural noise in sensory processing in general.
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Item Type: |
Thesis (Doctoral) |
| Identification Number (DOI): |
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| Keywords: |
ASMR; autonomous; sensory; stochastic; resonance; k-means; EEG; model |
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| Date: |
31 July 2023 |
| Item ID: |
33976 |
| Date Deposited: |
24 Aug 2023 15:13 |
| Last Modified: |
24 Aug 2023 15:13 |
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URI: |
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