Human perceptual learning in the peripheral visual field: sensory thresholds and neurophysiological correlates

Perceptual learning in the peripheral visual field was studied in 24 adults using vernier targets. The aim was to relate perceptual improvements to changes of electrical brain activity. Thresholds were measured before, during, and after training, and on the next day. During training, the subjects pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological psychology 2002-05, Vol.59 (3), p.187-206
Main Authors: Ludwig, Ira, Skrandies, Wolfgang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attention - physiology
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Brain activity
Electroencephalography
Electrophysiology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human visual system
Humans
Male
Occipital Lobe - physiology
Pattern Recognition, Visual - physiology
Perception
Perceptual learning
Peripheral visual field
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Psychophysics
Reaction Time - physiology
Sensory Thresholds - physiology
Vernier stimuli
Vision
Visual evoked potential (VEP)
Visual Fields - physiology
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Summary:Perceptual learning in the peripheral visual field was studied in 24 adults using vernier targets. The aim was to relate perceptual improvements to changes of electrical brain activity. Thresholds were measured before, during, and after training, and on the next day. During training, the subjects passively looked at suprathreshold targets, and EEG activity was recorded from 30 electrodes over the occipital brain areas. Mean evoked potentials were computed for the first and second block of 1200 stimulus presentations, and the scalp topography of visual evoked potential (VEP) activity was analysed. Only for the stimulated area, training resulted initially in increased thresholds that, however, decreased significantly after consolidation. Electrical brain activity displayed smaller field strength and altered topography after training. Some of the effects were caused by habituation or adaptation to the training stimuli resulting in less efficient neurophysiological processing. The topographical changes indicate that different neuronal elements were activated after perceptual learning.
ISSN:0301-0511
1873-6246
DOI:10.1016/S0301-0511(02)00009-1