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Contrast and strength of visual memory and imagery differentially affect visual perception.
1Brain Research Unit, O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory, School of Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland ; Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Plos One
|December 31, 2013
Summary
Visual short-term memory (VSTM) and visual imagery both enhance visual perception. However, their subjective strength impacts visual detection differently, suggesting distinct processes.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Visual short-term memory (VSTM) and visual imagery influence visual perception.
- The role of subjective experience and contrast in this modulation remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how subjective experience and contrast of VSTM/imagery modulate visual perception.
- To differentiate the processes of VSTM and visual imagery.
Main Methods:
- Participants detected masked visual targets during VSTM or imagery tasks.
- Subjective memory/imagery strength and contrast were rated trial-by-trial.
Main Results:
- Higher memory/imagery contrast correlated with increased target detection for both VSTM and imagery.
- Subjective VSTM strength positively predicted detection, while imagery strength negatively predicted it.
- Despite similar sensory-level facilitation, VSTM and imagery show distinct subjective strength effects.
Conclusions:
- Visual perception is modulated by both VSTM and visual imagery at the sensory level.
- Subjective strength impacts visual detection differently for VSTM and imagery, indicating dissociable processes.
- These findings highlight qualitative differences between VSTM and visual imagery despite shared perceptual modulation.
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