Module 4 (Lecture 1)

Question 1

What does the dorsal stream do, and what region of the brain processes information?

Answer 1

AKA the cortical system pathway, the ‘where’ system.

It is responsible for perceptions of spatial location and relations of objects. Processing happens in the posterior parietal cortex.

Question 1

What does the ventral stream do, and what region of the brain processes information?

Answer 1

AKA the visual cortex pathway, the ‘what’ system.

It is responsible for perceptions of qualities and features of objects. Processing happens in the inferior temporal cortex.

Question 2

How was DB able to implicitly move his eyes/reach somewhat correctly in his bad field of vision (blindsight)?

Answer 2

Because information can still get to the brain via sub-cortical pathways. Either it goes to the primary visual cortex, or to retinal maps in the midbrain.

Question 3

What is the difference between the ‘what vs. where’ system and the ‘what vs. how’ system?

Answer 3

The purpose of the ventral system stays the same between the two models. The ‘how’ system changes the focus on the dorsal stream, where the focus is now on goal-directed actions, and the purpose of visual input.