Theory of Content Formation: Neurodynamics of Fast Temporal Coordination, Individual Alpha Frequency, and the Temporal Binding Window

Content formation is determined by the temporal organization of the sensory stream. Fast temporal coordination defines the millisecond-scale structure of event integration and segregation under an unchanged physical stimulus. This mechanism is linked to individual alpha frequency at the level of stable interindividual differences, task state, and prestimulus fluctuations, as well as to alpha phase, the width of the temporal binding window, sensitivity, and response criterion. Separate analysis of oscillatory and aperiodic components of the spectrum, bias-controlled psychophysics, trial-level hierarchical modeling, and individualized alpha-band stimulation define the empirical framework for testing. Joint frequency, phase, aperiodic, and psychophysical parameters predict content integration and segregation more precisely than isolated measures of alpha power, resting individual alpha frequency, or the behavioral temporal binding window. Clinical samples with impaired temporal integration are used as an external test.