[Paper Review] On the Existence of Quantum Wave Function and Quantum Interference Effects in Mental States: An Experimental Confirmation during Perception and Cognition in Humans

Elio Conte, Andrei Yuri Khrennikov+3 more|ArXiv.org|Jul 28, 2008

Quantum Mechanics and Applications5 references4 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum-theoretic framework to detect quantum wave functions and interference effects in human mental states during perception and cognition. Using experimental data from psychological tasks, the authors demonstrate measurable quantum-like interference patterns in decision-making and perception, supporting the existence of non-classical cognitive dynamics governed by quantum probability models.

ABSTRACT

We introduce the quantum theoretical formulation to determine a posteriori, if existing, the quantum wave functions and to estimate the quantum interference effects of mental states. Such quantum features are actually found in the case of an experiment involving the perception and the cognition in humans. Also some specific psychological variables are introduced and it is obtained that they characterize in a stringent manner the quantum behaviour of mind during such performed experiment.

Motivation & Objective

• To investigate whether mental states during perception and cognition exhibit quantum-like features such as wave functions and interference effects.
• To develop a theoretical framework that allows a posteriori detection of quantum wave functions in human cognitive processes.
• To test whether psychological variables can rigorously characterize quantum behavior in the mind during perception and decision-making.
• To provide empirical confirmation of quantum interference effects in human mental states through controlled experiments.

Proposed method

• The authors apply quantum probability theory to model mental states as superpositions of cognitive states, analogous to quantum systems.
• They use experimental data from perception and cognition tasks to estimate the quantum wave function and interference terms via state vector reconstruction.
• Psychological variables are introduced to quantify and constrain the quantum behavior observed in cognitive processes.
• The method involves fitting experimental response patterns to a quantum interference model, comparing them with classical probability predictions.
• The analysis uses a Hilbert space formalism to represent mental states and their evolution during cognitive tasks.
• The model is validated by comparing predicted interference effects with observed data from human subjects in perception and cognition experiments.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can quantum wave functions be detected a posteriori in human mental states during perception and cognition?
• RQ2 Do quantum interference effects manifest in human decision-making and perceptual judgments?
• RQ3 Can psychological variables be used to rigorously characterize quantum-like behavior in cognitive systems?
• RQ4 To what extent do experimental data on perception and cognition deviate from classical probability models?
• RQ5 Is there empirical evidence for non-classical, quantum-like dynamics in human mental processes?

Key findings

• The study provides empirical evidence for quantum interference effects in human perception and cognition, with statistically significant deviations from classical probability models.
• The reconstructed quantum wave functions accurately predict response patterns in cognitive tasks, indicating non-classical behavior.
• Specific psychological variables were found to tightly constrain the quantum behavior of mental states, validating the model's predictive power.
• The interference terms in the quantum model were quantitatively measurable and consistent across subjects, supporting the robustness of the findings.
• The results show that human cognition exhibits features incompatible with classical probability, supporting a quantum-theoretic interpretation of mental processes.
• The experimental data strongly support the existence of quantum-like dynamics in human perception and decision-making, as predicted by the theoretical framework.