Project description
How statistical learning affects our perception
Brain imaging has helped us to understand how learning takes place in the medial temporal lobe (hippocampus). We also understand the attentional representations within putative priority maps across the visual hierarchy. An electroencephalogram (EEG) makes it possible to connect hippocampal activity to the activations within the spatial priority map that controls attentional selection. The EU-funded LEARNATTEND project will focus on cognition, learning and memory. Specifically, it will investigate the mechanisms underlying visual statistical learning, focusing on how, when and what information is extracted by the visual system. The findings will be especially important to the study of language acquisition (how we process linguistic input). LEARNATTEND will identify the unconscious learning of regularities in the visual environment. For instance, we learn certain regularities of a language without even realising it.
Objective
"Extracting statistical regularities from the environment is one of the most fundamental abilities of any living organism. This type of learning is largely unconscious, unintentional, and implicit; it runs ""in the background"", both seeking and giving structure to the world around us; making it coherent, predictable and quickly manageable. Even though a lot is known about how statistical learning affects language acquisition, object recognition, motor learning, and decision making, only recently it became apparent that it plays a key role in attentional selection. Visual perception must be selective, as we are confronted with the massive amount of available sensory input. Statistical learning occurring often beneath the level of awareness provides structure to the environment uncovering the relations between objects in space and time.
The proposed research program investigates the mechanisms underlying visual statistical learning (VSL) focusing on how, when and what information is extracted by the visual system. Through brain imaging we seek to understand how learning taking place in the medial temporal lobe (hippocampus), affects attentional representations within putative priority maps across the visual hierarchy. By means of EEG, we seek to connect hippocampal activity to the activations within the spatial priority map which ultimately controls attentional selection. By means of single cell recording in humans we determine at a cell level how statistical learning develops over time. To understand the mechanism, we analyse individual differences in VSL and relate this to visual working memory capacity and attentional selection in psychopathy. The proposed research will have a large impact on the study of cognition, learning, and memory.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-ADG
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1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
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