Mirror-image relations in category learning

Abstract

The discrimination of patterns that are mirror-symmetric counterparts of each other is difficult and requires substantial training. We explored whether mirror-image discrimination during expertise acquisition is based on associative learning strategies or involves a representational shift towards configural pattern descriptions that permit resolution of symmetry relations. Subjects were trained to discriminate between sets of unfamiliar grey-level patterns in two conditions, which either required the separation of mirror images or not. Both groups were subsequently tested in a 4-class category-learning task employing the same set of stimuli. The results show that subjects who had successfully learned to discriminate between mirror-symmetric counterparts were distinctly faster in the categorization task, indicating a transfer of conceptual knowledge between the two tasks. Additional computer simulations suggest that the development of such symmetry concepts involves the construction of configural, protoholistic descriptions, in which positions of pattern parts are encoded relative to a spatial frame of reference.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13506280600574784
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Psychology
College of Health & Life Sciences > Clinical and Systems Neuroscience
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Centre for Vision and Hearing Research
Additional Information: This is an electronic version of an article published in Jüttner, Martin and Rentschler, Ingo (2007). Mirror-image relations in category learning. Visual Cognition, 15 (2), pp. 211-237. Visual Cognition is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1464-0716&volume=15&issue=2&spage=211
Uncontrolled Keywords: categorization,learning,pattern recognition,mirror image,holistic,configural,expertise,symmetry,General Psychology,General Neuroscience,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Publication ISSN: 1464-0716
Last Modified: 22 Nov 2024 08:04
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2019 17:43
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
http://www.info ... sue=2&spage=211 (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2007-02
Authors: Jüttner, Martin (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-3486-7975)
Rentschler, Ingo

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