Perceptual learning without feedback in non-stationary contexts: Data and model

Vision Research 46 (2006) 3177–3197

Alexander A. Petrov a,*,1, Barbara Anne Dosher a,*, Zhong-Lin Lu b

a Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
b Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA

Abstract
The role of feedback in perceptual learning is probed in an orientation discrimination experiment under destabilizing non-stationary conditions, and explored in a neural-network model. Experimentally, perceptual learning was examined with periodic alteration of a strong external noise context. The speed of learning, the performance loss at each change in external noise context (switch cost), and the asymptotic accuracy do without feedback were very similar or identical to those with feedback. However, lack of feedback led to higher decision bias (error responses matching the external noise context). In the model, the stimulus representations are constant,whereas the read-out connections to a decision unit learn by a Hebbian plasticity rule that may be augmented by additional feedback input and criterion control of decision bias.