Perceptual learning without signal

old_uid1512
titlePerceptual learning without signal
start_date2006/07/10
schedule11h
onlineno
summaryPerceptual learning is characterized by an improvement in a perceptual task following practice. It was believed until recently to be driven mostly by bottom-up processes (Godde, Stauffenberg, Spengler & Dinse, 2000 ; Watanabe, Náñez & Sasaki, 2001 ; Hodzic, Veit, Karim, Erb & Godde, 2004). However, several studies have demonstrated that top-down processes, such as attention and task-related expectations, are necessary components of perceptual learning (Shiu & Pashler, 1992 ; Fahle & Morgan, 1996, Ahissar & Hochstein, 1993, 2000, 2002, Seitz, Lefebvre, Watanabe & Jolicoeur, 2005). Here, we report an experiment that isolates top-down processes in perceptual learning, using the Gosselin and Schyns (2003) no-signal procedure. Results show that top-down processes are sufficient to produce large, long-lasting perceptual learning. The magnitude of the effect, transfer tests, and classification image analyses suggest that the modifications occur at the shape level of the memory representations and probably implicate neurons from the inferotemporal cortices.
responsiblesMamassian