Interactive Figure 3: Bayesian Perceptual Inference and Interoceptive Modulation
Abstract
This interactive figure illustrates a simple Bayesian model of perceptual inference in which bodily state modulates how strongly sensory evidence is weighted. The visualization demonstrates how interoceptive signals (representing cardiac and respiratory cycles) dynamically modulate the relative precision of prior expectations versus incoming sensory evidence within an active inference framework.
Users can manually adjust or animate the interoceptive signal strength to observe how precision reallocation affects the posterior inference. The figure includes real-time visualization of distribution means, precision weights, and a Signal-to-Signal Ratio (SSR) panel showing the reciprocal relationship between interoceptive and exteroceptive precision over time.
Keywords:
Bayesian inference
Interoception
Precision
Active inference
Cardiac cycle
Respiratory cycle
Perception
Signal-to-Signal Ratio
Features
- Interactive control: Manual slider and animated oscillations (heartbeat/respiration presets)
- Real-time visualization: Dynamic probability distributions with mean markers
- Live statistics: Precision values, weights, posterior parameters
- Dynamic interpretation: Context-sensitive text explaining the current state
- Educational tooltips: Hover over key terms for definitions
- SSR panel: Time-series visualization of interoceptive/exteroceptive precision trade-off
- Responsive design: Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
Technical Specifications
Format: Self-contained HTML5 file with embedded JavaScript
Dependencies: Plotly.js (loaded via CDN)
Browser Compatibility: Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
File Size: ~20 KB
Performance: Optimized with Plotly.react() for smooth 60fps animation
How to Use
- Manual exploration: Use the slider to adjust interoceptive signal strength (I) from -1 to +1
- Observe changes: Watch how the posterior distribution (purple) shifts and changes shape
- Read tooltips: Hover over underlined terms to see definitions
- Animate: Click "Play" to see rhythmic oscillations simulating cardiac or respiratory cycles
- Try presets: Use "Heartbeat (~1s)" or "Respiration (~5s)" buttons for realistic physiological rhythms
- Monitor SSR panel: Watch how interoceptive and exteroceptive precision trade off over time
Citation
[Alejandro Galvez-Pol*, Micah Allen, Lucas Naranjo, James M. Kilner]. (2026). Interactive Figure 3: Bayesian Perceptual Inference and
Interoceptive Modulation. GitHub. https://galvez-pol.github.io/bodily-rhythms-figure3/
Associated with: [Galvez-Pol, A., et al. Bodily Rhythms Gate Action–perception Coupling. PsyArXiv, 8 Dec. 2025, doi:10.31234/osf.io/zj23s_v1]
BibTeX
@misc{interactive_figure3_2026,
author = {Alejandro Galvez-Pol, Micah Allen, Lucas Naranjo, James M. Kilner},
title = {Interactive Figure 3: Bayesian Perceptual Inference and
Interoceptive Modulation},
year = {2026},
publisher = {GitHub},
url = {https://galvez-pol.github.io/bodily-rhythms-figure3/}
}
Links & Resources
License & Reuse
This interactive figure is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
You are free to share and adapt this material for any purpose, even commercially, as long as you give appropriate credit.
Contact
For questions or feedback about this interactive figure, please open an issue on the
GitHub repository
or contact the corresponding author.