Perceptual Learning: Toward a Comprehensive Theory

Overview

Journal Annu Rev Psychol

Publisher Annual Reviews

Specialty Psychology

Date 2014 Sep 25

PMID 25251494

Citations 129

Authors

Takeo Watanabe

Yuka Sasaki

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Visual perceptual learning (VPL) is long-term performance increase resulting from visual perceptual experience. Task-relevant VPL of a feature results from training of a task on the feature relevant to the task. Task-irrelevant VPL arises as a result of exposure to the feature irrelevant to the trained task. At least two serious problems exist. First, there is the controversy over which stage of information processing is changed in association with task-relevant VPL. Second, no model has ever explained both task-relevant and task-irrelevant VPL. Here we propose a dual plasticity model in which feature-based plasticity is a change in a representation of the learned feature, and task-based plasticity is a change in processing of the trained task. Although the two types of plasticity underlie task-relevant VPL, only feature-based plasticity underlies task-irrelevant VPL. This model provides a new comprehensive framework in which apparently contradictory results could be explained.

Citing Articles

Multisensory stimuli facilitate low-level perceptual learning on a diﬃcult global motion task in virtual reality.

Fromm C, Maddox R, Polonenko M, Huxlin K, Diaz G PLoS One. 2025; 20(3):e0319007.

PMID: 40036211 PMC: 11878941. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319007.

Fast perceptual learning induces location-specific facilitation and suppression at early stages of visual cortical processing.

Wang Y, Qu Z, Wang Y, Sun M, Mao M, Ding Y Front Hum Neurosci. 2025; 18:1473644.

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Touch-driven advantages in reaction time but not in performance in a cross-sensory comparison of reinforcement learning.

Sun W, Ripp I, Borrmann A, Moll M, Fairhurst M Heliyon. 2025; 11(1):e41330.

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Dissociable components of visual perceptual learning characterized by non-invasive brain stimulation: Stage 1 Registered Report.

Maniglia M Brain Commun. 2025; 7(1):fcae468.

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The Anterior Insula Engages in Feature- and Context-Level Predictive Coding Processes for Recognition Judgments.

Costa C, Scarpazza C, Filippini N J Neurosci. 2024; 45(5).

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