Serial reproduction reveals the geometry of visuospatial representations
Abstract
A primary function of human vision is to encode and recall spatial information about visual scenes. We developed an experimental paradigm that reveals the structure of human spatial memory priors in unprecedented detail. We ran a series of 85 large-scale online experiments with 9,202 participants that paint an intricate picture of these priors. Our results suggest a way to understand visuospatial representations as reflecting the efficient allocation of coding resources. In a radical departure from traditional theory, we introduce a model that reinterprets spatial memory priors as reflecting an optimal allocation of perceptual resources. We validate the predictions of the model experimentally by showing that perceptual biases are correlated with variations in discrimination accuracy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 26, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2012938118
Entities
People
- Jordan W. Suchow
- Nori Jacoby
- Thomas L. Griffiths
- Thomas Langlois
Organizations
- Columbia University
- Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics
- National Science Foundation
- Princeton University
- Stevens Institute of Technology