Why visual perception is a decision process

Staadt R, Philipp ST, Cremers JL, Kornmeier J, Jancke D (2020).

Perception of the difference between past and present stimulus: a rare orientation illusion may indicate incidental access to prediction error-like signals

PLoS ONE 15(5): e0232349 (Open Access) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232349

The study shows that humans occasionally perceive prediction errors as illusory percepts. Thus, in contrast to popular predictive coding theories, where the brain 'explains away' prediction errors along a hierarchical processing scheme, our data demonstrate continued access to residual prediction errors. We propose that such a strategy maintains flexibility at perceptual decision stages when coping with highly dynamic and ambiguous sensory input.

Link to Press release, Pressemitteilung (english, deutsch)

Prof. Dr. Dirk Jancke

Institut für Neuroinformatik NB2/27
Ruhr University Bochum
44780 Bochum
Germany

Phone Lab:+49 (0)234 32 28967
Phone Office: +49 (0)234-32-27845
E-Mail: dirk.jancke@rub.de