Gaining knowledge mediates changes in perception (without differences in attention): A case for perceptual learning

Behav Brain Sci. 2016 Jan:39:e240. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X15002496.

Abstract

Firestone & Scholl (F&S) assert that perceptual learning is not a top-down effect, because experience-mediated changes arise from familiarity with the features of the object through simple repetition and not knowledge about the environment. Emberson and Amso (2012) provide a clear example of perceptual learning that bypasses the authors' "pitfalls" and in which knowledge, not repeated experience, results in changes in perception.

MeSH terms

  • Attention*
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Perception*