Knowledge is power: How conceptual knowledge transforms visual cognition

In this review, we synthesize the existing literature demonstrating the dynamic interplay between conceptual knowledge and visual perceptual processing. We consider two theoretical frameworks that demonstrate interactions between processes and brain areas traditionally considered perceptual or conce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychonomic bulletin & review 2014-08, Vol.21 (4), p.843-860
Main Authors: Collins, Jessica A., Olson, Ingrid R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - physiology
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive Psychology
Concept Formation - physiology
Decision making
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Knowledge
Learning. Memory
Memory
Perception
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Sensory perception
Speech
Theoretical Review
Vision
Visual Perception - physiology
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Summary:In this review, we synthesize the existing literature demonstrating the dynamic interplay between conceptual knowledge and visual perceptual processing. We consider two theoretical frameworks that demonstrate interactions between processes and brain areas traditionally considered perceptual or conceptual. Specifically, we discuss categorical perception , in which visual objects are represented according to category membership, and highlight studies showing that category knowledge can penetrate early stages of visual analysis. We next discuss the embodied account of conceptual knowledge, which holds that concepts are instantiated in the same neural regions required for specific types of perception and action, and discuss the limitations of this framework. We additionally consider studies showing that gaining abstract semantic knowledge about objects and faces leads to behavioral and electrophysiological changes that are indicative of more efficient stimulus processing. Finally, we consider the role that perceiver goals and motivation may play in shaping the interaction between conceptual and perceptual processing. We hope to demonstrate how pervasive such interactions between motivation, conceptual knowledge, and perceptual processing are in our understanding of the visual environment, and to demonstrate the need for future research aimed at understanding how such interactions arise in the brain.
ISSN:1069-9384
1531-5320
DOI:10.3758/s13423-013-0564-3