Spatial structure affects temporal judgments: Evidence for a synchrony binding code

• DOI: 10.1167/8.7.12
• Publication Date: 2009-05-20T19:42:24Z
• Authors: Samuel Cheadle; Frank Bauer; Andrew Parton; Hermann Müller; Yoram S. Bonneh; Marius Usher
• Keywords: Computational model; Code (set theory)

Visual binding is the process by which brain groups elements belonging to one object, whilst segregating them from other scene elements. A computationally parsimonious mechanism of visual binding-by-synchrony (BBS) hypothesis. According this hypothesis, detectors that respond a single object fire in synchrony, while different objects do not. Current psychophysical and physiological evidence are inconclusive about role BBS integration process. Here we provide computational suggesting system implements synchronizes response onsets parts attenuates or cancels their latency differences. In three experiments, observers had judge synchrony two flickering Gabor patches embedded static contour, passing through fixation. We found smooth as compared jagged one, impedes judgments temporal between targets, facilitating non-temporal contrast on same targets. show results consistent with simple model synchronization responses via lateral interactions, enabling pick up among temporally diverse background.