ASMR as Idiosyncratic Experience: Experimental Evidence

Chiara Pedrini, Lorena Marotta and Andrea Guazzini
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Chiara Pedrini: Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, via di San Salvi, 12, Building 26, 50100 Florence, Italy
Lorena Marotta: Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, via di San Salvi, 12, Building 26, 50100 Florence, Italy
Andrea Guazzini: Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, via di San Salvi, 12, Building 26, 50100 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: The Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation across the scalp that occur in response to specific triggering audio and visual stimuli, connected with the Default Mode Network. Our study (N = 76) aimed to test the neurophysiology of ASMR by examining pupil diameter and brain activity. Assuming the idiosyncratic nature of ASMR, we expected results detecting opposite physiological outcomes considering pupil diameter and brain activation. We used a battery of self-reports to investigate psychological dimensions; for the physiological measures, we used two instruments: PupilCore and NeuroSky MindWave Mobile 2. The results showed an augmented pupillary diameter during the ASMR video, regardless of the perception of tingles. On the other hand, the arousal level during the ASMR video was lower than the other conditions. The difference between the two neurophysiological measures appeared as peculiar and can be considered as the promoting phenomenon for ASMR psychological outcomes.

Keywords: ASMR; pupil diameter; NeuroSky brain waves; arousal; idiosyncratic experiences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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