title: High-level adaptation aftereffects for novel objects: the role of pre-existing representations.
abstract: Recent perceptual experience can strongly influence the way in which ambiguous stimuli are interpreted and categorized. A well known example is the phenomenon of adaptation aftereffects that occurs when prolonged exposure to a clear, prototypical image induce a repulsive bias in the perception of a subsequently presented ambiguous stimulus. When an ambiguous image is used as adapter, however, a facilitatory, attractive effect can be observed (priming effect). In this study, the role of a pre-existing representation in the induction of the perceptual effect was investigated, with the use of novel, unfamiliar objects (Greebles). The results of two experiments indicate that a pre-existing representation is necessary for aftereffects to be observed, but only when the contribution of low-level adaptation is controlled for. Increased familiarity with the stimuli is able to restore the repulsive effect, as indicated by a third experiment. The priming effect found for ambiguous adapters, on the other hand, seems not to be influenced by a previously stored memory representation.
authors: Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati-International School for Advanced Studies, Via Bonomea, 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy. anna@bilkent.edu.tr
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Daelli
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003463:Cues; D005366:Figural Aftereffect / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012858:Size Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014793:Visual Cortex