Problem 5 Flashcards
CB + IB findings suggest that we have a limited conscious representation of the outside world due to selective processes, by which some items are privileged over others.
There are 3 theories surround this, providing an explanatory basis.
Name them.
- Theory
- Theory B
- Theory C
- Theory D
Theory A
Suggests that when many sensory inputs reach the brain, attention plays a crucial role in the selective process
–> allows only some of the inputs to reach a conscious state
Theory B
Suggests the same as A, but adding unconscious processing to it
–> there are therefore 3 levels of processing of visual inout
- unconscious
- unattended
- attended
BUT: it is said that there is no difference between unattended + unconscious, thus identical
Theory C
Eliminates the word conscious, but equates it to attention
–> relies solely on attention
Theory D
Proposes that attention doesn’t determine whether a stimuli reaches a conscious state but whether
a) a conscious report about a stimuli is possible
b) items are stored in a stable manner in WM to report at a later time
Attentional selection
Refers to a mix of memory + processing
–> necessary when 2 stimuli reach the brain but only one response is possible
Competition
Occurs on the level of the extra striate areas
–> prevents all inputs from reaching the output areas of the brain
Name the reasons for which a stimulus may be selected over others.
- More salient (neutral stateI
- -> associated neural activity in response is stronger + more synchronous - Effect of previous stimuli (biased state)
Feedforward sweep
FFS
Refers to the earliest activation of cells in successive areas of cortical hierarchy
–> casual processing mediated hereby is not accompanied by awareness
Phenomenal wareness
Refers to qualia
..> “what it is like” to experperience a certain “state”
Phenomenal wareness
Refers to qualia
–> “what it is like” to experience a certain “state”
Access awareness
Involves
a) availability
b) reportability
c) behavior
as a result of access to a certain state
BUT: it is limited to a few items in the scene
In a situation where multiple stimuli are presented, all stimuli are represented at early stages of FFS
At hier extra striate areas, receptive f. become too large + competition arises
As not all stimuli can be processed by the receptive field a certain phenomenon arises.
Name it.
Crowding phenomenon
–> individual awareness of closely spaced items is impaired
What resolves competition between multiple stimuli and thus the crowding phenomenon ?
Attentional selection
–> can operate on the level of
- FFS, by predisposing some interactions over others
- Recurrent interactions
Is attending to an object the same as becoming conscious of it ?
No,
one can attend to an object without becoming aware of it
–> as seen by visual consciousness vs attention
THUS: the 2 are supported by distinct neuronal mechanisms, which is supported by the studies of Watanabe + Maier
