Beyond Noise: Harnessing Variability in Cognitive and Neural Systems

Project Leads: Yana Fandakova (Speaker) and Christian Frings (Co-Speaker)
Post-Doc: Lars-Michael Schöppe
Participating researchers: Gregor Domes, Florian Kasten, Simon Merz, Birte Moeller, Roland Pfister, Ana Tibubos (Nursing Sciences), Benedikt Strobel (Philosophy), Bernadette von Dawans

Why do we sometimes struggle to remember someone's name, yet recall it effortlessly in another situation? Why is it easier to concentrate on some days than on others? And why can't even elite athletes reproduce the exact same performance every time?

Human behavior is characterized by substantial fluctuations. Variability can be observed across different timescales, such as within seconds, throughout the day, or across multiple days. It also emerges at different levels, ranging from brain dynamics, physiology to cognitive and affective processes. Current research typically treats variability as undesirable noise — a confounding factor that obscures information about substantial and scientifically meaningful phenomena. However, this perspective overlooks the possibility that variability itself may be informative: by investigating the sources and nature of variability, we can draw important conclusions about underlying processes, since different processes imply different sources of variability. Thus, systematical examination of intraindividual variability may offer valuable information about how individuals adapt to changing demands, learn from experience, and develop over time. 

The interdisciplinary research initiative Beyond Noise brings together researchers from psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, and nursing sciences to understand the role of variability in human cognition and behavior. Our research addresses the following key questions. First, how are fluctuations in thinking, behavior, and emotion related to changes in brain activity, and how are they shaped by different environmental conditions? Second, what are the functional consequences of neural and behavioral variability? While excessive variability can impair performance in some situations, variability may also play an essential adaptive role. We investigate the idea that fluctuations in cognition, behavior, and emotion enable people to detect relevant information in their environment, respond more flexibly to new challenges, and ultimately acquire new knowledge and skills. 

Understanding variability and its role in adaptation opens new opportunities to better predict and promote learning, development, and health. At the same time, it provides important insights into how environments can be designed to support beneficial forms of variability while reducing those that are maladaptive. 

Duration: 07/26 – 12/28
Funding: Rhineland-Platatinate Research Initiative 2024 - 2028
Contact: Yana Fandakova & Christian Frings