Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
04:43
Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Immediate effect of internal reward on visual adaptation
David Pascucci1, Massimo Turatto
1Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, Sciences, University ofTrento, Corso Bettini, 31, 38068 Rovereto, Italy.
Psychological Science
|May 15, 2013
Summary
Endogenous rewards, like successfully completing a task, can immediately enhance visual illusions. This suggests that the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Growing interest in how rewards influence visual perception.
- Exogenous rewards impact visual sensitivity and attention.
- Endogenous rewards from task completion may enhance sensory processing and plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the immediate effects of endogenous rewards on visual perception.
- Determine if task-related rewards can modulate short-term cortical plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the tilt aftereffect, a measure of short-term cortical plasticity.
- Introduced a concurrent and independent target-recognition task to provide endogenous reward.
- Measured the immediate impact of the reward-triggering task on the visual illusion.
Main Results:
- The tilt aftereffect was significantly enhanced by the concurrent target-recognition process.
- This enhancement occurred immediately, indicating a rapid effect of endogenous reward.
- Demonstrated that endogenous rewards can alter visual experience without delay.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous rewards rapidly modulate visual perception.
- Task-based rewards can influence short-term cortical plasticity, altering visual experiences.
- Findings highlight the immediate link between reward processing and visual perception.
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