Task difficulty and the specificity of perceptual learning

Nature
M Ahissar, S Hochstein

Abstract

Practising simple visual tasks leads to a dramatic improvement in performing them. This learning is specific to the stimuli used for training. We show here that the degree of specificity depends on the difficulty of the training conditions. We find that the pattern of specificities maps onto the pattern of receptive field selectivities along the visual pathway. With easy conditions, learning generalizes across orientation and retinal position, matching the spatial generalization of higher visual areas. As task difficulty increases, learning becomes more specific with respect to both orientation and position, matching the fine spatial retinotopy exhibited by lower areas. Consequently, we enjoy the benefits of learning generalization when possible, and of fine grain but specific training when necessary. The dynamics of learning show a corresponding feature. Improvement begins with easy cases (when the subject is allowed long processing times) and only subsequently proceeds to harder cases. This learning cascade implies that easy conditions guide the learning of hard ones. Taken together, the specificity and dynamics suggest that learning proceeds as a countercurrent along the cortical hierarchy. Improvement begins at higher gener...Continue Reading

Associated Clinical Trials

References

May 15, 1992·Science·T PoggioS Edelman
Jan 1, 1991·Cerebral Cortex·D J Felleman, D C Van Essen
Jun 1, 1991·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·A Karni, D Sagi
Jan 1, 1990·Spatial Vision·T A Nazir, J K O'Regan
Mar 1, 1987·The Journal of Physiology·N Berardi, A Fiorentini
Jan 1, 1973·Perception·V S Ramachandran, O Braddick
Jan 1, 1980·Cognitive Psychology·A M Treisman, G Gelade
Jun 1, 1995·Vision Research·B L BeardL N Reich
Sep 16, 1993·Nature·A Karni, D Sagi
Jun 15, 1993·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M Ahissar, S Hochstein
Jul 9, 1996·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·A A Schoups, G A Orban
Apr 1, 1996·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·A Treisman
Nov 1, 1996·Vision Research·M Ahissar, S Hochstein
Mar 21, 1998·Perception & Psychophysics·M Dill, M Fahle

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 30, 2004·Human Psychopharmacology·Aaron R SeitzTakeo Watanabe
Oct 14, 2004·Experimental Brain Research·Rony PazEilon Vaadia
Mar 3, 2007·Experimental Brain Research·Beverly A Wright, Andrew T Sabin
Nov 11, 2009·Experimental Brain Research·Jeanette A Ortiz, Beverly A Wright
Apr 19, 2005·Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology : JARO·Karine DelhommeauRoland Jouvent
Sep 4, 2012·Cognitive Neurodynamics·Tetsuo Ishikawa, Ken Mogi
Jun 16, 2005·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Aaron Seitz, Takeo Watanabe
Apr 27, 2004·Trends in Neurosciences·Maximilian Risenhuber
Feb 18, 2004·Brain and Language·Tatjana A NazirRam Frost
Oct 6, 1997·Neuroscience Letters·F SpenglerM M Merzenich
Oct 17, 1998·Brain Research. Cognitive Brain Research·U LeonardsR Sireteanu
Jun 23, 1998·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·A M Treisman, N G Kanwisher
Feb 14, 2003·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Jeremy M. Wolfe
Jan 27, 2006·Psychological Bulletin·Don C Donderi
Dec 22, 2005·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance·Karla K Evans, Anne Treisman
May 21, 2008·Journal of Comparative Psychology·Estella H LiuItzel Orduña
Jan 28, 2009·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance·Jeanette A Ortiz, Beverly A Wright
Apr 5, 2011·Nature Neuroscience·Vikranth R BejjankiAlexandre Pouget
May 10, 2011·Nature Neuroscience·Jennifer ResnikRony Paz
Oct 10, 2006·Nature Neuroscience·Sygal AmitayDavid R Moore
Dec 3, 2009·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Yuka SasakiTakeo Watanabe
Feb 6, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Patrick Garrigan, Philip J Kellman
Oct 9, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Anna E IpataMichael E Goldberg
Dec 26, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jordan W Suchow, Denis G Pelli
Jul 31, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Barbara Anne DosherZhong-Lin Lu
May 9, 2013·Ergonomics·David SchusterFlorian Jentsch
Jun 7, 2003·Network : Computation in Neural Systems·L ZhaopingPeter Dayan
Nov 16, 2013·Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy : JNPT·Keith LohseH F Machiel Van der Loos
May 15, 2013·Optometry and Vision Science : Official Publication of the American Academy of Optometry·Susana T L Chung
Oct 1, 1998·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·D H Foster, S Westland
Sep 10, 2002·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·John H R Maunsell, Erik P Cook
Nov 7, 2008·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Merav AhissarShaul Hochstein
Nov 4, 2008·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Manfred Fahle
Jun 3, 2009·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Dean V BuonomanoMahsa Khodadadifar
Feb 3, 2005·Psychological Science·James W TanakaDavid L Sheinberg
Jun 20, 2007·Psychological Science·Barbara Anne Dosher, Zhong-Lin Lu
Oct 11, 2011·Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·Andrew T AstlePaul V McGraw
Oct 12, 2012·Journal of Neurophysiology·Xiang YanKunlin Wei
Mar 13, 2001·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·M Fabre-ThorpeS Thorpe
Aug 9, 2002·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Marina PavlovskayaShaul Hochstein

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
A Karni, D Sagi
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
M Ahissar, S Hochstein
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved