title: Perceptual learning of the detection of features in X-ray images: a functional role for improvements in adults' visual sensitivity?
abstract: Recent perceptual learning research has found long-term increases in the sensitivity of adults' perceptual systems. The authors examined whether such changes could partly explain improvement on tasks such as perception of medical X-ray images. Experiment 1 found experts' sensitivity to low-contrast dots in X-rays was better than novices'. Experiment 2 found a direction of luminance contrast-specific improvement in novices' detection of low-contrast dots in X-rays as a result of practice. Experiment 3 found a partly specific improvement in novices' detection of low-contrast features in real medical X-rays as a result of practice. Results suggest that experience enhances sensitivity to the critical dimensions of visual analysis for detecting abnormalities in X-ray images. Importantly, they demonstrate a real-world adaptive functional role for the long-term flexibility of sensory systems in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom. p.sowden@surrey.ac.uk
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Sowden
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D014965:X-Rays