Understanding What We See: How We Derive Meaning From Vision. Issue 11 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clarke, Alex; Tyler, Lorraine K.
• Is Part Of: Trends in cognitive sciences. Volume 19:Issue 11(2015)
• Page Start: 677
• Page End: 687
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Concepts -- semantics -- perirhinal cortex -- fusiform gyrus -- ventral visual pathway -- category; Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; 153.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2015.08.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-6613

Abstract

Abstract : Recognising objects goes beyond vision, and requires models that incorporate different aspects of meaning. Most models focus on superordinate categories (e.g., animals, tools) which do not capture the richness of conceptual knowledge. We argue that object recognition must be seen as a dynamic process of transformation from low-level visual input through categorical organisation to specific conceptual representations. Cognitive models based on large normative datasets are well-suited to capture statistical regularities within and between concepts, providing both category structure and basic-level individuation. We highlight recent research showing how such models capture important properties of the ventral visual pathway. This research demonstrates that significant advances in understanding conceptual representations can be made by shifting the focus from studying superordinate categories to basic-level concepts. Trends: We view object recognition as a dynamic process of transformation from low-level visual analyses through superordinate category to basic-level conceptual representations. Understanding this process is facilitated by using semantic cognitive models that can capture feature-based statistical regularities between concepts, providing both superordinate category and basic-level information. We highlight research using fMRI, MEG, and neuropsychological and behavioural testing to show how feature-based cognitive models can relate to object semantic representations in the ventral visual pathway. The posterior fusiform and perirhinal cortex are shown to process complementary aspects of object semantics. The temporal coordination between these regions is also highlighted, while superordinate category information precedes basic-level semantic information in time.