<p>I will split this answer into two parts - first, about sensory immersion as it is defined and scientifically examined. Second, I will try to address specifically what you asked for regarding the effects of sensory overstimulation and overload.</p>

<p><strong>Sensory immersion</strong></p>

<p>I don't think your definition of sensory immersion is right when you said it's a "deliberate overstimulation". There is an excellent perspectives' paper in Science, where the author refers to common definition of immersion as <strong>the subjective impression that one is participating in a comprehensive, realistic experience</strong> (Dede, 2009). So you don't need to be overstimulated to experience immersion - you just need a specific context and environment for it. Quick literature search indicates that the study on sensory immersion has been mainly focused around computer games and virtual environments. Dede (2009) describes a number of  examples, arguing that <strong>immersion in a digital environment can enhance education by allowing multiple perspectives (Salzman et al., 1999), situated learning (Clarke et al., 2007), and transfer</strong>. For example, students can model expert's actions to better learn how to perform surgery, using sophisticated virtual reality with tactile surgery robots. Or they test different epidemiological hypothesis in an online social games like River City. </p>

<p>Immersion has also been linked with flow-like experience in computer games. Nacke &amp; Lindlay (2008) asked participants to play <em>Half Life 2</em> while they were measured with electroencephalography, electrocardiography, electromyography, galvanic skin response and eye tracking equipment. They demonstrated measurable high-arousal positive affect emotions during intensive combat level in the game. There is extensive literature on that topic that examines cognitive effects of computer games.</p>

<p><strong>Sensory overload</strong></p>

<p>The effects of <strong>sensory overload</strong> is quite a different story. Lipowski (1975) argues that overstimulation increases as a direct consequence of the accelerating pace of technological advance. Author points to the numerous sources of overstimulation including overcrowding, noise and work load (Lipowski, 1975). One the largest set of experiments on sensory overload has been conducted in Japan. <strong>Behavioural effects of sensory overload included heightened and sustained arousal, mood changes in the direction of aggression, anxiety, and sadness</strong> (Kitamura et al., 1970; Hatayama et al., 1970). Some participants reported visual hallucinations. Authors also found that participants strongly preferred sensory deprivation to sensory overload (Kikuchi et al., 1970). Other studies showed that <strong>exposure to sensory overload produced an increase in the scores on the scale of social alienation/personal disorganisation as well as in the cognitive/intellectual-impairment scores</strong> (Haer, 1971; Gottschalk, 1972). </p>

<p>Therefore, from the cognitive standpoint, it's difficult to see benefits of sensory overload. You mentioned the music as a potential factor, and indeed some empirical studies showed <strong>music can improve reading comprehension (Kiger, 1989), and contribute to higher performance in repetitive tasks (Fox, 1971)</strong>. But majority of the studies clearly showed that such positive effects are only possible with low-volume and low-level of 'information load' in music (like speed, lyrics, etc.). Also, while I don't doubt your positive personal experience <strong>with dichotic listening, the studies clearly show that it has mostly negative and distractive effect on the attention</strong> (Asbjornsen et al., 1995).  </p>

<p>It is also difficult to find studies showing that dissociative state caused by sensory overload could benefit meditation. Studies shows that <strong>meditation is specific in its ability to reduce distractive and ruminative thoughts and behaviours</strong> (Jain et al., 2007; ). Meditation aims at giving you better control over your attention, and I don't see how that could be achieved with heavy level of sensory distractions around you. </p>

<p>I like your question and I understand your intuition behind it, but the research seem to indicate that sensory overload is mostly a negative experience and it is unlikely that it contributes to enhancement of cognitive functioning.</p>

<p>References</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Dede, C. (2009). Immersive interfaces for engagement and learning.
  Science, 323, 66–9.</p>
  
  <p>Salzman, M., Dede, C.,  Loftin, R. (1999) Proceedings of the SIGCHI
  Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: The CHI Is the
  Limit, 489–495.</p>
  
  <p>Clarke, J., Dede, C. (2007) The Computer-Supported Collaborative
  Learning (CSCL) Conference, C. A. Chinn, G. Erkens, S. Putambekar,
  Eds., New Brunswick, NJ, pp. 141–144.</p>
  
  <p>Nacke, L., &amp; Lindley, C. (2008). Flow and immersion in first-person
  shooters: measuring the player’s gameplay experience. Proceedings of
  the 2008 Conference on Future …, 81–88.</p>
  
  <p>Lipowski, Z. J. (1975) Sensory and information inputs overload:
  Behavioral effects. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 16, 199-221.</p>
  
  <p>Kitamura, S., Tada, H. (1970) Toh Psycho Fol 28:69.</p>
  
  <p>Hatayama, T., Takayama, T., Komatsu, H. (1970) Toh Psycho Fol 28:73.</p>
  
  <p>Kikuchi, R., Kikuchi, T., Kawaguchi, M. (1970) Toh Psycho Fol 28:84.</p>
  
  <p>Haer, JL (1971) Percept Mot Skills 33:192.</p>
  
  <p>Gottschalk, LA., Haer, JL., Bates, DE. (1972) Arch Gen Psychiatry
  27:451.</p>
  
  <p>Kiger, D. (1989). Effects of music information load on a
  reading-comprehension task. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 69, 531-534.</p>
  
  <p>Fox, J. G. (1971). Background music and industrial effciency: review.
  Applied Ergonomics, 2, 70-73.</p>
  
  <p>Asbjornsen, A.E., Hugdahl, K. (1995) Attentional Effects in Dichotic
  Listening Brain and Language 49, 189–201.</p>
  
  <p>Jain, S., Shapiro, S. L., Swanick, S., Roesch, S. C., Mills, P. J.,
  Bell, I., &amp; Schwartz, G. E. R. (2007). A randomized controlled trial
  of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: effects on
  distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction. Annals
  of behavioral medicine, 33, 11–21.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T13:24:39.107Z
I really like this answer: it's well written, well researched and mostly answers the question according to current science (afaik, I guess).  One thing though: "Meditation aims at giving you better control over your attention, and I don't see how that could be achieved with heavy level of sensory distractions around you."
Anecdotally, of course, but for me it has helped my ability to filter out sounds from the background - I have auditory processing difficulties (lots of ear/throat infections as a child).  I can now go to bars without being overwhelmed by noise! (most of the time, at least)
BenCole
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-07T20:41:10.343Z
Thank you @BenCole. I guess that with the meditation I specifically meant that it is easier to use it in distraction-less conditions, rather then sensory overloaded conditions. I don't doubt that you can still do it if conditions are less optimal, but it is probably harder.
Geek On Acid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-07T21:07:47.697Z
Practice when it's easy so it's easy when it's hard? Sounds like good advice... :)
BenCole
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T12:37:59.927Z
2012-09-03T12:37:59.927Z
Geek On Acid
<p>Sensory deprivation is a relatively common technique for medititation and general consciousness-exploration.</p>

<p>However, I'm more interested in sensory <em>immersion</em>.  That is, deliberate overstimulation as a meditative exercise.  </p>

<p>For example, listening to two different audio streams, one in each ear (this is the original motivator for this question, as I recently found that I concentrate better when two different audio streams are being played into my ears).  I suspect a relation to attentional drift and a state of relaxed/detached attention, but I don't want to jump to conclusions either.</p>

<p>Has there been research (by whom? available online?) on this subject?  </p>

<p>EDIT: example of <a href="http://www.mind-spas.com/what-we-offer/sensory-immersion.html">commercial service</a> offering Sensory Immersion (www.mind-spas.com)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-05-22T16:48:45.793Z
Interesting note: this may have some overlap with the concept of Low Latent Inhibition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latent_inhibition#Low_latent_inhibition
BenCole
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-12T16:21:41.383Z
Hopefully to spur interest in this question: I've been thinking and I suspect that deliberate sensory overload would result in a dissociative state - one in which the consciousness is free to settle on any sensory input, but which could, potentially, also float free (to use inaccurate metaphors).  This also may mean that it will work well as a meditation technique for beginning meditators, as many meditations are designed to induce some degree of dissociation; yet these also take time to achieve (even Zen meditation, which can take years, even though the results can arrive all at once).
BenCole
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-12T16:29:49.133Z
Furthermore, would extended sensory immersion by a previously unexposed subject result in Directed Attention Fatigue, leading to a state of unfocused attention to all stimuli simultaneously?  Which would therefore be forcing the subject into the end state desired by most awareness meditations.
BenCole
<perception><sensation><meditation><hallucinations>
Sensory Immersion Research?
BenCole
# Sensory Immersion Research?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-05-17)

Sensory deprivation is a relatively common technique for medititation and general consciousness-exploration.

However, I'm more interested in sensory *immersion*. That is, deliberate overstimulation as a meditative exercise.

For example, listening to two different audio streams, one in each ear (this is the original motivator for this question, as I recently found that I concentrate better when two different audio streams are being played into my ears). I suspect a relation to attentional drift and a state of relaxed/detached attention, but I don't want to jump to conclusions either.

Has there been research (by whom? available online?) on this subject?

EDIT: example of [commercial service](http://www.mind-spas.com/what-we-offer/sensory-immersion.html) offering Sensory Immersion (www.mind-spas.com)

**Tags:** perception, sensation, meditation, hallucinations

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Interesting note: this may have some overlap with the concept of Low Latent Inhibition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latent_inhibition#Low_latent_inhibition  
> **username_0**: Hopefully to spur interest in this question: I've been thinking and I suspect that deliberate sensory overload would result in a dissociative state - one in which the consciousness is free to settle on any sensory input, but which could, potentially, also float free (to use inaccurate metaphors).  This also may mean that it will work well as a meditation technique for beginning meditators, as many meditations are designed to induce some degree of dissociation; yet these also take time to achieve (even Zen meditation, which can take years, even though the results can arrive all at once).  
> **username_0**: Furthermore, would extended sensory immersion by a previously unexposed subject result in Directed Attention Fatigue, leading to a state of unfocused attention to all stimuli simultaneously?  Which would therefore be forcing the subject into the end state desired by most awareness meditations.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-09-03. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

I will split this answer into two parts - first, about sensory immersion as it is defined and scientifically examined. Second, I will try to address specifically what you asked for regarding the effects of sensory overstimulation and overload.

**Sensory immersion**

I don't think your definition of sensory immersion is right when you said it's a "deliberate overstimulation". There is an excellent perspectives' paper in Science, where the author refers to common definition of immersion as **the subjective impression that one is participating in a comprehensive, realistic experience** (Dede, 2009). So you don't need to be overstimulated to experience immersion - you just need a specific context and environment for it. Quick literature search indicates that the study on sensory immersion has been mainly focused around computer games and virtual environments. Dede (2009) describes a number of examples, arguing that **immersion in a digital environment can enhance education by allowing multiple perspectives (Salzman et al., 1999), situated learning (Clarke et al., 2007), and transfer**. For example, students can model expert's actions to better learn how to perform surgery, using sophisticated virtual reality with tactile surgery robots. Or they test different epidemiological hypothesis in an online social games like River City.

Immersion has also been linked with flow-like experience in computer games. Nacke & Lindlay (2008) asked participants to play *Half Life 2* while they were measured with electroencephalography, electrocardiography, electromyography, galvanic skin response and eye tracking equipment. They demonstrated measurable high-arousal positive affect emotions during intensive combat level in the game. There is extensive literature on that topic that examines cognitive effects of computer games.

**Sensory overload**

The effects of **sensory overload** is quite a different story. Lipowski (1975) argues that overstimulation increases as a direct consequence of the accelerating pace of technological advance. Author points to the numerous sources of overstimulation including overcrowding, noise and work load (Lipowski, 1975). One the largest set of experiments on sensory overload has been conducted in Japan. **Behavioural effects of sensory overload included heightened and sustained arousal, mood changes in the direction of aggression, anxiety, and sadness** (Kitamura et al., 1970; Hatayama et al., 1970). Some participants reported visual hallucinations. Authors also found that participants strongly preferred sensory deprivation to sensory overload (Kikuchi et al., 1970). Other studies showed that **exposure to sensory overload produced an increase in the scores on the scale of social alienation/personal disorganisation as well as in the cognitive/intellectual-impairment scores** (Haer, 1971; Gottschalk, 1972).

Therefore, from the cognitive standpoint, it's difficult to see benefits of sensory overload. You mentioned the music as a potential factor, and indeed some empirical studies showed **music can improve reading comprehension (Kiger, 1989), and contribute to higher performance in repetitive tasks (Fox, 1971)**. But majority of the studies clearly showed that such positive effects are only possible with low-volume and low-level of 'information load' in music (like speed, lyrics, etc.). Also, while I don't doubt your positive personal experience **with dichotic listening, the studies clearly show that it has mostly negative and distractive effect on the attention** (Asbjornsen et al., 1995).

It is also difficult to find studies showing that dissociative state caused by sensory overload could benefit meditation. Studies shows that **meditation is specific in its ability to reduce distractive and ruminative thoughts and behaviours** (Jain et al., 2007; ). Meditation aims at giving you better control over your attention, and I don't see how that could be achieved with heavy level of sensory distractions around you.

I like your question and I understand your intuition behind it, but the research seem to indicate that sensory overload is mostly a negative experience and it is unlikely that it contributes to enhancement of cognitive functioning.

References

> Dede, C. (2009). Immersive interfaces for engagement and learning.
> Science, 323, 66–9.
>
> Salzman, M., Dede, C., Loftin, R. (1999) Proceedings of the SIGCHI
> Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: The CHI Is the
> Limit, 489–495.
>
> Clarke, J., Dede, C. (2007) The Computer-Supported Collaborative
> Learning (CSCL) Conference, C. A. Chinn, G. Erkens, S. Putambekar,
> Eds., New Brunswick, NJ, pp. 141–144.
>
> Nacke, L., & Lindley, C. (2008). Flow and immersion in first-person
> shooters: measuring the player’s gameplay experience. Proceedings of
> the 2008 Conference on Future …, 81–88.
>
> Lipowski, Z. J. (1975) Sensory and information inputs overload:
> Behavioral effects. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 16, 199-221.
>
> Kitamura, S., Tada, H. (1970) Toh Psycho Fol 28:69.
>
> Hatayama, T., Takayama, T., Komatsu, H. (1970) Toh Psycho Fol 28:73.
>
> Kikuchi, R., Kikuchi, T., Kawaguchi, M. (1970) Toh Psycho Fol 28:84.
>
> Haer, JL (1971) Percept Mot Skills 33:192.
>
> Gottschalk, LA., Haer, JL., Bates, DE. (1972) Arch Gen Psychiatry
> 27:451.
>
> Kiger, D. (1989). Effects of music information load on a
> reading-comprehension task. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 69, 531-534.
>
> Fox, J. G. (1971). Background music and industrial effciency: review.
> Applied Ergonomics, 2, 70-73.
>
> Asbjornsen, A.E., Hugdahl, K. (1995) Attentional Effects in Dichotic
> Listening Brain and Language 49, 189–201.
>
> Jain, S., Shapiro, S. L., Swanick, S., Roesch, S. C., Mills, P. J.,
> Bell, I., & Schwartz, G. E. R. (2007). A randomized controlled trial
> of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: effects on
> distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction. Annals
> of behavioral medicine, 33, 11–21.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I really like this answer: it's well written, well researched and mostly answers the question according to current science (afaik, I guess).  One thing though: "Meditation aims at giving you better control over your attention, and I don't see how that could be achieved with heavy level of sensory distractions around you." Anecdotally, of course, but for me it has helped my ability to filter out sounds from the background - I have auditory processing difficulties (lots of ear/throat infections as a child).  I can now go to bars without being overwhelmed by noise! (most of the time, at least)  
> **username_1**: Thank you @username_0. I guess that with the meditation I specifically meant that it is easier to use it in distraction-less conditions, rather then sensory overloaded conditions. I don't doubt that you can still do it if conditions are less optimal, but it is probably harder.  
> **username_0**: Practice when it's easy so it's easy when it's hard? Sounds like good advice... :)  

---

