LEARNING I PART I

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the typical outcome of practicing perceptual tasks?

Performance remains the same

Performance worsens over time

Performance improves with practice (correct)

Performance varies randomly

What type of tasks produce more perceptual learning?

Tasks that require discriminations along multiple perceptual dimensions and use stimuli with external noise (correct)

Tasks that are relatively easy to perform

Simple perceptual tasks with low noise

Tasks that require attention to a single stimulus feature

What is the relationship between initial performance levels and the amount of learning?

No correlation

Inversely proportional (correct)

Constantly proportional

Directly proportional

What is the general characteristic of perceptual learning in terms of task specificity?

It is highly specific to the task and stimulus configuration used during training Signup and view all the answers

When does perceptual learning tend to transfer between tasks?

When tasks are relatively easy to perform Signup and view all the answers

What is not required to improve performance on a perceptual task?

Error-correcting feedback Signup and view all the answers

How long can learned improvements in perceptual performance be retained?

2-3 years Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for consolidating perceptual learning?

Both slow-wave and rapid eye movement sleep, within a finite time period after training Signup and view all the answers

What is perceptual learning, according to Eleanor Gibson?

An active process of extracting information from the environment through experience and practice Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of perceptual learning in the natural world?

Identifying injury and disease in x-rays and brain scans Signup and view all the answers

What is multimodal learning, as described in the context of bird watching?

Learning that involves both visual and auditory cues Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the perception of visual attributes with practice?

Most visual attributes improve with practice Signup and view all the answers

What determines the amount of learning in perceptual learning?

Initial performance levels Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the perceptual benefits of learning?

They are specific to the task and stimuli used during training Signup and view all the answers

What is not a requirement for perceptual learning?

Error-correcting feedback Signup and view all the answers

What role does sleep play in perceptual learning?

It has a critical role in the consolidation of perceptual learning Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Perceptual Learning

Perceptual learning is the improvement in performance on perceptual tasks with practice, ranging from simple to complex judgments.
Tasks requiring discriminations along multiple perceptual dimensions and use of external noise produce more perceptual learning than simple tasks.

Characteristics of Perceptual Learning

The amount of learning is inversely proportional to initial performance levels.
Perceptual learning is often specific to the task and stimulus configuration used during training.
Learning can transfer between tasks that are relatively "easy" to perform.

Factors Influencing Perceptual Learning

Error-correcting feedback is not required to improve performance on a perceptual task.
Top-down attention to diagnostic stimulus features is required for learning on some tasks, while passive exposure to a stimulus may be sufficient for learning on other tasks.
Sleep, specifically slow-wave and rapid eye movement sleep, is required within a finite time period after training to consolidate perceptual learning.

Theories and Historical Contributions

Hermann von Helmholtz introduced the concept of unconscious inference, highlighting the role of experience in perception.
William James (1890) developed the idea that "practice makes perfect" in achieving high levels of perceptual expertise.
Eleanor Gibson (1969) defined perceptual learning as an increase in the ability to extract information from the environment due to experience and practice, and emphasized the importance of active learning.

Real-World Applications

Perceptual learning is prevalent in everyday life, with examples including:
- Identifying injury and disease in x-rays and brain scans (e.g., radiologists spotting tumors).
- Bird watching, involving visual and auditory learning.
- Categorical discriminations (e.g., identifying faces, color categories).
These skills are essential in various professions, such as law enforcement, where individuals are trained to identify troublemakers in a crowded environment.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.