title: [Modality specific systems of representation and processing of information. Superfluous images, useful representations, necessary evil or inevitable consequences of optimal stimulus processing].
abstract: It is discussed what is underlying the assumption of modality-specific processing systems and representations. Starting from the information processing approach relevant aspects of mental representations and their physiological realizations are discussed. Then three different forms of modality-specific systems are distinguished: as stimulus specific processing, as specific informational formats, and as modular part systems. Parallel to that three kinds of analogue systems are differentiated: as holding an analogue-relation, as having a specific informational format and as a set of specific processing constraints. These different aspects of the assumption of modality-specific systems are demonstrated in the example of visual and spatial information processing. It is concluded that postulating information-specific systems is not a superfluous assumption, but it is necessary, and even more likely it is an inevitable consequence of an optimization of stimulus processing.
authors.affiliation: Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Zimmer
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes; D011939:Mental Recall; D009949:Orientation; D011340:Problem Solving; D014796:Visual Perception
vernacular_title: Modalitätsspezifische Systeme der Repräsentation und Verarbeitung von Information. Uberflüssige Gebilde, nützliche Fiktionen, notwendiges Ubel oder zwangsläufige Folge optimierter Reizverarbeitung.