[Perceptual binding of sensory events: the hypothesis of inclusive characteristics].
A solution to the problem of perceptual binding on a new conceptual basis is proposed. It introduces the concept of inclusive sensory characteristics, which is a response of a given perceptual level to the same sensory attributes or characteristics of a lower level, whose spatial organization or specific temporal succession constitutes an adaptively meaningful entirety. The sequence of inclusive characteristics forms a hierarchy: from sensory attributes to higher inclusive characteristics binding sensory data into unified images and scenes. Specific patterns of electric activity, which map inclusive characteristics, are relayed by back projections from upper to lower neuronal levels. This forms a cascade of top-down transfer of excitation, which stimulates neuronal structures whose signals correspond to the higher inclusive characteristic of a given act of perception. It is demonstrated that such mechanisms well agree with the psychological and neurophysiological experimental data and can ensure binding of sensory events at all perceptual levels.
Sergin
V Ia
VIa
Neuroinformatics Laboratory, Russian Academy of Sciences Far East Division, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction