Subjective and objective learning effects dissociate in space and in time

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1009147108
• Publication Date: 2011-03-02T03:35:37Z
• Authors: Caspar M. Schwied...; Wolf Singer; Lucia Melloni
• Keywords: Perceptual Learning

Perceptual learning not only improves sensitivity, but it also changes our subjective experience. However, the question of how these two effects relate is largely unexplored. Here we investigate subjects learn to see initially indiscriminable metacontrast-masked shapes. We find that sensitivity and awareness increase with training. dissociate in space: Learning on performance are lost when task performed at an untrained location another quadrant, whereas maintained. This finding indicates improvements shape involve visual areas up V4, other brain regions. Furthermore, dissociates from time: In early phase perceptual learning, perform above chance trials they rate as subjectively invisible. Later, this phenomenon disappears. Subjective thus neither necessary nor sufficient for achieving above-chance objective performance.