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Published on: May 7, 2019
Learning to detect and combine the features of an object
Jordan W Suchow1, Denis G Pelli
1Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Summary
Object recognition involves detecting and combining features. This study reveals that combining features is learned much faster and is more efficient than detection, explaining variations in perceptual learning rates.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Object recognition is typically modeled as a two-step process: feature detection followed by feature combination.
- Familiar objects are recognized easily, while unfamiliar ones require practice and learning.
- The distinct contributions of detection and combination to learning have not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the separate and combined roles of feature detection and combination in object recognition.
- To quantify the learning rates and efficiencies of the detection and combination stages.
- To understand how practice influences each stage of object recognition.
Main Methods:
- Developed a method using "bionic crutches" to perform detection or combination steps optimally, allowing dissociation of human and crutch contributions.
- Assessed human performance when steps were performed solely by the human, solely by crutches, or cooperatively.
- Measured threshold contrast improvements with practice to quantify learning in detection and combination.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a double dissociation between detection and combination using bionic crutches.
- Human observers' overall identification efficiency is the product of their separate step efficiencies.
- Detection is learned slowly and is inefficient, while combination is learned 4x faster and becomes 7x more efficient after 1,000 trials.
Conclusions:
- Human object recognition typically follows a two-step process of detection and combination.
- The distinct learning trajectories of detection and combination explain variability in perceptual learning.
- Feature combination is a more rapidly learned and efficient process compared to feature detection.
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