The precision of sensory evidence

Abstract

Negative emotional states such as depression, anxiety, and trauma may share a common underlying mechanism: a cognitive processing style that assigns unusually low precision to sensory evidence, thereby giving greater weight to pre-existing beliefs or priors. When these priors are predominantly negative, individuals tend to interpret incoming information—from external senses as well as internal states like memory and bodily awareness—through a threat-related lens, even if the evidence itself is neutral. This down-weighting of sensory input can create self-reinforcing cycles, where experiences are perceived negatively, further solidifying the negative priors and deepening the condition. This model is supported by findings like diminished sensory acuity and impaired autobiographical memory in affected individuals. Potential therapeutic interventions, including specific psychotherapies, somatic practices, meditation, and certain pharmacological agents (e.g., ketamine, psychedelics), may function by enhancing sensory precision or modulating the dominance of priors, offering a unified perspective on these conditions and their treatment. – AI-generated abstract.