Anomalous Stimuli

Anomalous stimuli are unexpected or unusual sensory inputs that stand out from normal background signals. In psychology and neuroscience, these stimuli can capture attention because they are different from what the brain expects, often triggering heightened alertness or curiosity. For example, a loud noise in a quiet room or a bright flash of light during darkness are anomalous stimuli. They play a role in alerting us to potential changes or threats in our environment, helping us react appropriately to unfamiliar or significant events.