Perceptual learning

Perceptual learning involves long-term changes to perception due to practice or experience. While perceptual learning has been studied for over a century in philosophy and psychology, research into the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying perceptual learning remains an area of ongoing development. This review explores what perceptual learning is and how it occurs, with a focus on areas of controversy. It then turns to several current debates. First, it explores the debate as to whether such learning involves genuine perceptual change at all, rather than a change in action, attention, or decision-making. Second, it questions the role that higher-cognitive mechanisms, like attention, might play in perceptual learning. Does perceptual learning require attention, or can it occur through mere exposure in the absence of attention? Third, it examines a debate about what perceptual learning means for the perception-cognition divide. Does it blur the divide or preserve it? This article is categorized under: Philosophy > Psychological Capacities Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics Psychology > Learning.