Date:
Friday, April 17, 2015 - 11:00am to 1:00pm
Title: Mechanisms of Visual Learning
Abstract:
In this talk, I review recent research addressing mechanisms by which the visual system acquires knowledge about the world. In particular, I discuss mechanisms of specificity and transfer of perceptual learning and links between perceptual learning and statistical learning. I suggest that learning on any task involves a broad network of brain regions undergoing changes in representations, readout weights, decision rules, feedback processes, etc. However, importantly, that the distribution of learning across the neural system depends upon the fine details of the training procedure. I conclude with the suggestion that to advance our understanding of visual learning, the field must move towards understanding individual, and procedurally induced, differences in learning and how multiple mechanisms may together underlie behavioral learning effects.