The Intersection of Perceptual Learning and Motion/Form Perception

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensory and Motor Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2025 | Viewed by 1616

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: vision science; visual neuroscience; psychophysics; visual short-term memory; visual attention; perceptual learning

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Guest Editor
1. Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
2. Human Inspired Technology Research Centre, University of Padova, Via Luzzati 4, 35121 Padova, Italy
Interests: visual psychophysics; visual motion perception; perceptual priming; perceptual learning; amblyopia; TMS; tRNS
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In our dynamic environment, objects move, presenting complex forms for the human brain to process. This fact has prompted an exploration into how our visual system processes these features and combines them to form a coherent perceptual representation. One technique to explore visual form and motion processing is visual perceptual learning (VPL). VPL is a behavioral paradigm used to enhance visual functions via training on a specific task. By exploiting aspects of VPL, such as the time course of learning or generalization versus specificity, it is possible to shed light on the underlying forms of processing and motion or on the dynamics of their interaction. Moreover, determining the best training methods to achieve significant and persistent perceptual improvements that can be generalized to real-world tasks is vital for applied research, such as in the case of visual deficits rehabilitation protocols.

This Special Issue therefore aims to delve into the relationship between VPL and motion/form perception. We welcome diverse contributions, including original scientific works, reviews, and short communications. Our focus is broad and inclusive, and we are open to submissions that also incorporate non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (e.g., tDCS, tRNS, and tACS). These techniques are recognized as valuable tools in the field, and we look forward to seeing diverse methodologies in the contributions submitted.

Contributions in the form of empirical investigations, theoretical models, and methodological advancements are welcomed.

Dr. Andrea Pavan
Prof. Dr. Gianluca Campana
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • visual perceptual learning
  • form processing
  • motion processing
  • form-motion interactions
  • learning transfer
  • learning specificity
  • non-invasive brain stimulation techniques

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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18 pages, 3384 KiB  
Article
Visual Perceptual Learning of Form–Motion Integration: Exploring the Involved Mechanisms with Transfer Effects and the Equivalent Noise Approach
by Rita Donato, Adriano Contillo, Gianluca Campana, Marco Roccato, Óscar F. Gonçalves and Andrea Pavan
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(10), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14100997 - 30 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Background: Visual perceptual learning plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of how the human brain integrates visual cues to construct coherent perceptual experiences. The visual system is continually challenged to integrate a multitude of visual cues, including form and motion, to [...] Read more.
Background: Visual perceptual learning plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of how the human brain integrates visual cues to construct coherent perceptual experiences. The visual system is continually challenged to integrate a multitude of visual cues, including form and motion, to create a unified representation of the surrounding visual scene. This process involves both the processing of local signals and their integration into a coherent global percept. Over the past several decades, researchers have explored the mechanisms underlying this integration, focusing on concepts such as internal noise and sampling efficiency, which pertain to local and global processing, respectively. Objectives and Methods: In this study, we investigated the influence of visual perceptual learning on non-directional motion processing using dynamic Glass patterns (GPs) and modified Random-Dot Kinematograms (mRDKs). We also explored the mechanisms of learning transfer to different stimuli and tasks. Specifically, we aimed to assess whether visual perceptual learning based on illusory directional motion, triggered by form and motion cues (dynamic GPs), transfers to stimuli that elicit comparable illusory motion, such as mRDKs. Additionally, we examined whether training on form and motion coherence thresholds improves internal noise filtering and sampling efficiency. Results: Our results revealed significant learning effects on the trained task, enhancing the perception of dynamic GPs. Furthermore, there was a substantial learning transfer to the non-trained stimulus (mRDKs) and partial transfer to a different task. The data also showed differences in coherence thresholds between dynamic GPs and mRDKs, with GPs showing lower coherence thresholds than mRDKs. Finally, an interaction between visual stimulus type and session for sampling efficiency revealed that the effect of training session on participants’ performance varied depending on the type of visual stimulus, with dynamic GPs being influenced differently than mRDKs. Conclusion: These findings highlight the complexity of perceptual learning and suggest that the transfer of learning effects may be influenced by the specific characteristics of both the training stimuli and tasks, providing valuable insights for future research in visual processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Intersection of Perceptual Learning and Motion/Form Perception)
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