How to (and how not to) think about top-down influences on visual perception

Teufel, Christoph ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3915-9716 and Nanay, Bence 2017. How to (and how not to) think about top-down influences on visual perception. Consciousness and Cognition 47 , pp. 17-25. 10.1016/j.concog.2016.05.008

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Abstract

The question of whether cognition can influence perception has a long history in neuroscience and philosophy. Here, we outline a novel approach to this issue, arguing that it should be viewed within the framework of top-down information-processing. This approach leads to a reversal of the standard explanatory order of the cognitive penetration debate: we suggest studying top-down processing at various levels without preconceptions of perception or cognition. Once a clear picture has emerged about which processes have influences on those at lower levels, we can re-address the extent to which they should be considered perceptual or cognitive. Using top-down processing within the visual system as a model for higher-level influences, we argue that the current evidence indicates clear constraints on top-down influences at all stages of information processing; it does, however, not support the notion of a boundary between specific types of information-processing as proposed by the cognitive impenetrability hypothesis.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Visual perception; Top-down processing; Feedback connections; Cognitive penetration; Encapsulation
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1053-8100
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	17 May 2016
Date of Acceptance:	17 May 2016
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2023 22:04
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/90977

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