title: Object identification in context: the visual processing of natural scenes.
abstract: When we view a natural visual scene, we seem able to determine effortlessly the scene's semantic category, constituent objects, and spatial relations. How do we accomplish this visual-cognitive feat? The commonly held explanation is known as the schema hypothesis, according to which a visual scene is rapidly identified as a member of a semantic category, and predictions generated from the scene category are then used to aid subsequent object identification. In this paper I will first outline and offer a critique of the evidence that has been taken to support the schema hypothesis. I will then offer an alternative framework for understanding scene processing, which I will call the local-processing hypothesis. This hypothesis assumes a modular, informationally-encapsulated architecture, and explicitly includes the role of covert visual attention in scene processing.
authors: University of Alberta.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Henderson
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D003210:Concept Formation; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005133:Eye Movements; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D012931:Social Environment