Supra-optimality may emanate from suboptimality, and hence optimality is no benchmark in multisensory integration

Abstract

Within a multisensory context, "optimality" has been used as a benchmark evidencing interdependent sensory channels. However, "optimality" does not truly bifurcate a spectrum from suboptimal to supra-optimal - where optimal and supra-optimal, but not suboptimal, indicate integration - as supra-optimality may result from the suboptimal integration of a present unisensory stimuli and an absent one (audio = audio + absence of vision).