title: Learning to find a shape.
abstract: We studied the transition of stimuli from novel to familiar in visual search and in the guidance of attention to a particular object. Ability to identify an object improved dramatically over several days of training. The learning was specific for the object's position in the visual field, orientation and configuration. Improvement was initially localized to one or two positions near the fixation spot and then expanded radially to include the full area of the stimulus array. Characteristics of this learning process may reflect a shift in the cortical representation of complex features toward earlier stages in the visual pathway.
authors.affiliation: The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021-6399, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sigman
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003463:Cues; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors