Psychophysical Approaches to Cognition

Psychophysical Approaches to Cognition PDF

Author: D. Algom

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 1992-08-20

Total Pages: 639

ISBN-13: 0080867464

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Our lives are informed by perceptual and cognitive processes at all levels, from instrumental learning to metaphorical discourse to memorial representation. Yet, historically, these two branches of experimental psychology, perception and cognition, have developed separately using independent methods of experimentation and analysis. This volume is motivated by the assumption that a fundamental integration of the two fields is fruitful methodologically and indispensable theoretically. It explores how the notion of psychophysics aligned with cognitive processes shapes the study of perception and cognition, and illuminates a variety of contemporary research issues from a novel theoretical perspective. The papers raise conceptual and metatheoretical issues against the background of relevant empirical data. The authors provide a virtually narrative account of the most recent developments in their respective fields of expertise in psychophysics and cognitive psychology. Hence, this volume gives the interested reader an opportunity to reflect critically upon some of the current issues defining the two domains and their conjunction. Topics discussed include the psychology and psychophysics of similarity, the psychophysics of visual memory and cognitive factors in judgment. The emerging notion of cognitive psychophysics may well warrant the attention of experts in the field.

Cognition, Information Processing, and Psychophysics

Cognition, Information Processing, and Psychophysics PDF

Author: Hans-Georg Geissler

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2013-04-15

Total Pages: 349

ISBN-13: 1134993935

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The plan for this volume emerged during the international Leipzig conference commemorating the centenary of the death of Gustav Fechner. The contributors suggested that while many features of modern psychological theory were anticipated by Fechner, many new theoretical approaches owe much more to him than often is realized. As such, they decided to honor Fechner by evaluating his own contribution to the founding of psychology and psychoanalysis, by deepening the foundations of psychological theories of consciousness, perception, and choice, and by using the analysis of time to create a new appreciation of constraints that bind mental processes together. Thus, this volume spans an extraordinary range of psychological topics, from hermeneutics to the time-quantum basis for mental processes, in a way that would both amaze and delight Fechner. Moreover, the international reach of his pioneering ideas can be seen from the current locations of the contributors. The span from Japan to the United States to Holland to Germany and to Israel provides a global measure of Fechner's scientific legacy.

Psychophysics Beyond Sensation

Psychophysics Beyond Sensation PDF

Author: Christian Kaernbach

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2004-05-20

Total Pages: 526

ISBN-13: 1135633665

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This volume presents a series of studies that expand laws, invariants, and principles of psychophysics beyond its classical domain of sensation. This book's goal is to demonstrate the extent of the domain of psychophysics, ranging from sensory processes, through sensory memory and short-term memory issues, to the interaction between sensation and action. The dynamics and timing of human performance are a further important issue within this extended framework of psychophysics: Given the similarity of the various cortical areas in terms of their neuroanatomical structure, it is an important question whether this similarity is paralleled by a similarity of processes. These issues are addressed by the contributions in the present volume using state-of-the-art research methods in behavioral research, psychophysiology, and mathematical modeling. The book is divided into four sections. Part I presents contributions concerning the classical domain of psychophysical judgment. The next two parts are concerned with elementary and higher-order processes and the concluding section deals with psychophysical models. The sections are introduced by guest editorials contributed by independent authors. These editorials present the authors' personals view on the respective section, providing an integrated account of the various contributions or highlighting their focus of interest among them. While also voicing their own and sometimes different point of view, they contribute to the process of discussion that makes science so exciting. This volume should be of great interest to advanced students in neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, neuropsychology, and related areas who seek to evaluate the range and power of psychological work today. Established scientists in those fields will also appreciate the variety of issues addressed within the same methodological framework and their multiple interconnections and stimulating "cross-talk."

Cognition, Information Processing, and Psychophysics

Cognition, Information Processing, and Psychophysics PDF

Author: Hans-Georg Geissler

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2013-04-15

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 1134994001

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The plan for this volume emerged during the international Leipzig conference commemorating the centenary of the death of Gustav Fechner. The contributors suggested that while many features of modern psychological theory were anticipated by Fechner, many new theoretical approaches owe much more to him than often is realized. As such, they decided to honor Fechner by evaluating his own contribution to the founding of psychology and psychoanalysis, by deepening the foundations of psychological theories of consciousness, perception, and choice, and by using the analysis of time to create a new appreciation of constraints that bind mental processes together. Thus, this volume spans an extraordinary range of psychological topics, from hermeneutics to the time-quantum basis for mental processes, in a way that would both amaze and delight Fechner. Moreover, the international reach of his pioneering ideas can be seen from the current locations of the contributors. The span from Japan to the United States to Holland to Germany and to Israel provides a global measure of Fechner's scientific legacy.

Sensation and Judgment

Sensation and Judgment PDF

Author: John C. Baird

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2014-02-25

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 1317779770

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Psychophysical theory exists in two distinct forms -- one ascribes the explanation of phenomena and empirical laws to sensory processes. Context effects arising through the use of particular methods are an unwanted nuisance whose influence must be eliminated so that one isolates the "true" sensory scale. The other considers psychophysics only in terms of cognitive variables such as the judgment strategies induced by instructions and response biases. Sensory factors play a minor role in cognitive approaches. This work admits the validity of both forms of theory by arguing that the same empirical phenomena should be conceptualized in two alternative, apparently contradictory, ways. This acceptance of opposites is necessary because some empirical phenomena are best explained in terms of sensory processes, while others are best ascribed to central causes. The complementarity theory stresses the "mutually completing" nature of two distinct models. The first assigns importance to populations of sensory neurons acting in the aggregate and is formulated to deal with sensory effects. The second assigns importance to judgment uncertainty and to the subject strategies induced by experimental procedures. This model is formulated to explain context effects. Throughout the text, the exposition is interlaced with mathematics, graphs, and computer simulations designed to reveal the complementary nature of psychophysical explanations.

Sensation and Judgment

Sensation and Judgment PDF

Author: John C. Baird

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2014-02-25

Total Pages: 358

ISBN-13: 1317779789

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Psychophysical theory exists in two distinct forms -- one ascribes the explanation of phenomena and empirical laws to sensory processes. Context effects arising through the use of particular methods are an unwanted nuisance whose influence must be eliminated so that one isolates the "true" sensory scale. The other considers psychophysics only in terms of cognitive variables such as the judgment strategies induced by instructions and response biases. Sensory factors play a minor role in cognitive approaches. This work admits the validity of both forms of theory by arguing that the same empirical phenomena should be conceptualized in two alternative, apparently contradictory, ways. This acceptance of opposites is necessary because some empirical phenomena are best explained in terms of sensory processes, while others are best ascribed to central causes. The complementarity theory stresses the "mutually completing" nature of two distinct models. The first assigns importance to populations of sensory neurons acting in the aggregate and is formulated to deal with sensory effects. The second assigns importance to judgment uncertainty and to the subject strategies induced by experimental procedures. This model is formulated to explain context effects. Throughout the text, the exposition is interlaced with mathematics, graphs, and computer simulations designed to reveal the complementary nature of psychophysical explanations.

Visual Processing

Visual Processing PDF

Author: Roger Watt

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2022-03-01

Total Pages: 167

ISBN-13: 1317716450

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This highly original and interesting monograph puts forward ideas on visual processing and representation in the early stages of visual perception, and examines the computational requirements of the system and its psychological performance. Initially the author considers the computational theory of how the maximum amount of useful information about the scene can be registered from the variations in light intensity in the retinal image. He then goeson to address the question of just what it means to say that the visual system measures spatial aspects of the retinal image, and the consequences of the inevitable distortions that are introduced. He believes that the calculation of spatial position within a distorted metric is not trivial and requires dynamic processes with memory and control. Finally, Dr. Wan argues that the strength of the link between the low-level approaches of psychophysics and computational theory and high-level approaches of cognitive visual function lies in the logic of the arguments that indicate the computational need for control. This Essay will be of great interest to researchers in computer vision, perception, cognitive science and cognitive psychology.

A Functional Theory of Cognition

A Functional Theory of Cognition PDF

Author: Norman H. Anderson

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2014-03-05

Total Pages: 513

ISBN-13: 1317779002

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A unified, general theory of functional cognition is presented in this book. Its generality appears in the titles of the 13 chapters listed below. Its unity appears in the effectiveness of the same methods and concepts across all of these areas. Generality and unity both stem from the foundation axiom of purposiveness. The axiom of purposiveness has been made effective through capability for functional measurement of values, which embody the goal-directed character of purposiveness. This measurement capability is based on the general cognitive algebra established in information integration theory. Functional theory can thus be made precise and effective near the level of everyday phenomenology. The book is written at a relatively simple level, directed at readers in every field of psychology. Among its characteristics are: * self-sufficient theory near the level of everyday phenomenology; * foundation on structure of the internal world; and * solid grounding in experimental analysis.

The Psychophysics of Learning

The Psychophysics of Learning PDF

Author: John N. Moye Ph.D.

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2021-06-22

Total Pages: 154

ISBN-13: 1801171157

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The Psychophysics of Learning presents a learning system design approach that is formulated by the strategies and techniques the brain uses to process external information and make sense of that information to the learning ecology of all learners.

Visual Processing

Visual Processing PDF

Author: Roger Watt

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2022-03-01

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13: 1317716442

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This highly original and interesting monograph puts forward ideas on visual processing and representation in the early stages of visual perception, and examines the computational requirements of the system and its psychological performance. Initially the author considers the computational theory of how the maximum amount of useful information about the scene can be registered from the variations in light intensity in the retinal image. He then goeson to address the question of just what it means to say that the visual system measures spatial aspects of the retinal image, and the consequences of the inevitable distortions that are introduced. He believes that the calculation of spatial position within a distorted metric is not trivial and requires dynamic processes with memory and control. Finally, Dr. Wan argues that the strength of the link between the low-level approaches of psychophysics and computational theory and high-level approaches of cognitive visual function lies in the logic of the arguments that indicate the computational need for control. This Essay will be of great interest to researchers in computer vision, perception, cognitive science and cognitive psychology.

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