Rapid and long-lasting learning of feature binding

Yashar, Amit; Carrasco, Marisa

doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2016.05.019

Cited by 12 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The dependence of transfer on the specific orientation value has implications for the investigation and interpretation of VPL transfer and specificity using oriented stimuli. Indeed such stimuli have been commonly used to investigate VPL, including in orientation discrimination tasks (e.g., [ 25 , 30 , 32 – 34 ]), visual search (e.g., [ 10 , 30 , 35 , 36 ]) and texture discrimination tasks (e.g., [ 37 – 41 ]). Some VPL studies have varied orientation values to manipulate task properties, such as task difficulty, and then linked those task properties to the resulting feature specificity (e.g., [ 10 , 30 , 37 ]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feature reliability determines specificity and transfer of perceptual learning in orientation search

Yashar¹,

Denison²

2017

PLoS Comput Biol

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Training can modify the visual system to produce a substantial improvement on perceptual tasks and therefore has applications for treating visual deficits. Visual perceptual learning (VPL) is often specific to the trained feature, which gives insight into processes underlying brain plasticity, but limits VPL’s effectiveness in rehabilitation. Under what circumstances VPL transfers to untrained stimuli is poorly understood. Here we report a qualitatively new phenomenon: intrinsic variation in the representation of features determines the transfer of VPL. Orientations around cardinal are represented more reliably than orientations around oblique in V1, which has been linked to behavioral consequences such as visual search asymmetries. We studied VPL for visual search of near-cardinal or oblique targets among distractors of the other orientation while controlling for other display and task attributes, including task precision, task difficulty, and stimulus exposure. Learning was the same in all training conditions; however, transfer depended on the orientation of the target, with full transfer of learning from near-cardinal to oblique targets but not the reverse. To evaluate the idea that representational reliability was the key difference between the orientations in determining VPL transfer, we created a model that combined orientation-dependent reliability, improvement of reliability with learning, and an optimal search strategy. Modeling suggested that not only search asymmetries but also the asymmetric transfer of VPL depended on preexisting differences between the reliability of near-cardinal and oblique representations. Transfer asymmetries in model behavior also depended on having different learning rates for targets and distractors, such that greater learning for low-reliability distractors facilitated transfer. These findings suggest that training on sensory features with intrinsically low reliability may maximize the generalizability of learning in complex visual environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feature reliability determines specificity and transfer of perceptual learning in orientation search

Yashar¹,

Denison²

2017

PLoS Comput Biol

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“…For example, expert radiologists employ efficient search strategies when viewing medical images, such that they are faster and make fewer perceptual errors in discriminating abnormal from healthy tissue compared to novices ( Waite, Grigorian, Alexander, Macknik, Carrasco, Heeger, & Martinez-Conde, 2019 ). Robust learning has generally been thought to require extensive and repeated training ( Frank, Reavis, Tse, & Greenlee, 2014 ; Karni & Sagi, 1993 ; Watanabe, Náñez, Koyama, Mukai, Liederman, & Sasaki, 2002 ; Yotsumoto, Watanabe, & Sasaki, 2008 ), but recent studies have demonstrated long-lasting performance enhancements with short training periods ( Hussain, Sekuler, & Bennett, 2011 ; Yashar & Carrasco, 2016 ; Yashar, Chen, & Carrasco, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exogenous attention facilitates perceptual learning in visual acuity to untrained stimulus locations and features

et al. 2020

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Visual perceptual learning (VPL) refers to the improvement in performance on a visual task due to practice. A hallmark of VPL is specificity, as improvements are often confined to the trained retinal locations or stimulus features. We have previously found that exogenous (involuntary, stimulus-driven) and endogenous (voluntary, goal-driven) spatial attention can facilitate the transfer of VPL across locations in orientation discrimination tasks mediated by contrast sensitivity. Here, we investigated whether exogenous spatial attention can facilitate such transfer in acuity tasks that have been associated with higher specificity. We trained observers for 3 days (days 2-4) in a Landolt acuity task (Experiment 1) or a Vernier hyperacuity task (Experiment 2), with either exogenous precues (attention group) or neutral precues (neutral group). Importantly, during pre-tests (day 1) and post-tests (day 5), all observers were tested with neutral precues; thus, groups differed only in their attentional allocation during training. For the Landolt acuity task, we found evidence of location transfer in both the neutral and attention groups, suggesting weak location specificity of VPL. For the Vernier hyperacuity task, we found evidence of location and feature specificity in the neutral group, and learning transfer in the attention group-similar improvement at trained and untrained locations and features. Our results reveal that, when there is specificity in a perceptual acuity task, exogenous spatial attention can overcome that specificity and facilitate learning transfer to both untrained locations and features simultaneously with the same training. Thus, in addition to improving performance, exogenous attention generalizes perceptual learning across locations and features.

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“…Rather, it represents enhanced perceptual sensitivity or discriminability regarding the trained stimulus and task demands (for reviews, see Seitz, 2017 ; Watanabe & Sasaki, 2015 ), and thus serves as evidence of neuroplasticity in the adult, and even the elderly (DeLoss, Watanabe, & Andersen, 2015 ) brain. Such performance benefits can be long lasting (Karni & Sagi, 1993 ; Watanabe et al, 2002 ), even with very short training periods (Yashar & Carrasco, 2016 ; Yashar, Chen, & Carrasco, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endogenous spatial attention during perceptual learning facilitates location transfer

Donovan

Carrasco

2018

Journal of Vision

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Covert attention and perceptual learning enhance perceptual performance. The relation between these two mechanisms is largely unknown. Previously, we showed that manipulating involuntary, exogenous spatial attention during training improved performance at trained and untrained locations, thus overcoming the typical location specificity. Notably, attention-induced transfer only occurred for high stimulus contrasts, at the upper asymptote of the psychometric function (i.e., via response gain). Here, we investigated whether and how voluntary, endogenous attention, the top-down and goal-based type of covert visual attention, influences perceptual learning. Twenty-six participants trained in an orientation discrimination task at two locations: half of participants received valid endogenous spatial precues (attention group), while the other half received neutral precues (neutral group). Before and after training, all participants were tested with neutral precues at two trained and two untrained locations. Within each session, stimulus contrast varied on a trial basis from very low (2%) to very high (64%). Performance was fit by a Weibull psychometric function separately for each day and location. Performance improved for both groups at the trained location, and unlike training with exogenous attention, at the threshold level (i.e., via contrast gain). The neutral group exhibited location specificity: Thresholds decreased at the trained locations, but not at the untrained locations. In contrast, participants in the attention group showed significant location transfer: Thresholds decreased to the same extent at both trained and untrained locations. These results indicate that, similar to exogenous spatial attention, endogenous spatial attention induces location transfer, but influences contrast gain instead of response gain.

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Rapid and long-lasting learning of feature binding

Cited by 12 publications

References 54 publications

Feature reliability determines specificity and transfer of perceptual learning in orientation search

Feature reliability determines specificity and transfer of perceptual learning in orientation search

Exogenous attention facilitates perceptual learning in visual acuity to untrained stimulus locations and features

Endogenous spatial attention during perceptual learning facilitates location transfer

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