Learning and attention in multidimensional identification and categorization: separating low-level perceptual processes and high-level decisional processes.
Four observers completed identification and categorization tasks. Learning and attention processes were examined by applying general recognition theory (F. G. Ashby & J. T. Townsend, 1986), which separates perceptual, decisional, and attentional processes. Learning led to decision regions that became more nearly optimal. Learning had little effect on perceptual processes in identification and decisional integration categorization tasks but affected perceptual processes in decisional selective attention categorization tasks, leading to perceptual selective attention. These findings suggest that (a) identification and categorization invoke decision strategies that are localized in the striatum (F. G. Ashby, E. M. Waldron, W. W. Lee, & A. Berkman, 2001) and (b) perceptual and decisional attention systems exist and are mediated by distinct brain structures (M. I. Posner & S. E. Petersen, 1990).
Maddox
W Todd
WT
Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, USA. maddox@psy.utexas.edu
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D011601:Psychophysics