Bayesian Perceptual Psychology

Abstract

Contemporary perceptual psychology uses Bayesian decision theory to develop Helmholtz's view that perception involves 'unconscious inference'. The science provides mathematically rigorous, empirically well-confirmed explanations for diverse perceptual constancies and illusions. The explanations assign a central role to mental representation. This article highlights the explanatory centrality of representation within current Bayesian perceptual models. The article also discusses how Bayesian perceptual psychology bears upon several prominent philosophical topics, including: eliminativism about representation (defended by Churchland, Field, Quine, and Stich); relationalism about perception (endorsed by Brewer, Campbell, Martin, and Travis); phenomenal content (postulated by Chalmers, Horgan and Tienson, and Thompson);

Bayesian Sensorimotor Psychology

“…296–8) contends that the arguments are unconvincing, and I agree. Burge () also argues that eliminativism conflicts with perceptual psychology, a conclusion that I likewise defend in (Rescorla, ). For present purposes, my main point is that eliminativism conflicts with our current best sensorimotor psychology.…”

“…Researchers have used the Bayesian framework to explain numerous perceptual illusions and constancies. For philosophical analysis of Bayesian perceptual psychology, see (Clark, ) and (Rescorla, ).…”

“…Bayesian perceptual psychology offers satisfying explanations for numerous perceptual illusions (Rescorla, ). The same basic template can also explain numerous motor illusions.…”

Can Perceptual Experiences be Rational?

“…By contrast, there are many Bayesian analyses of local computations that take no stand on whether the global approach is correct. For discussion of some local applications, see Rescorla ().…”

The Eye's Mind: Perceptual Process and Epistemic Norms

“…Bayesian models claim that new and old information is integrated in line with Bayes’ theorem specifically (Feldman (), Rescorla ()). Predictive accounts place a greater emphasis on the role of top‐down prediction in generating the visual experience, with the main role of bottom‐up sensory signal being to serve as a corrective to the top‐down predictive signal: see Clark (), Friston () Hohwy (), or Vetter and Newen ().…”