A central problem in the neuroscience of perception is how conscious perception is able to integrate visual features that are processed in separate areas of the brain. Different areas in the visual cortex are specialized for processing different features, such as color, motion, and shape. For instance, when presented with a scene containing a blue square and a red triangle, some neurons will signal the presence of blue and red, while others signal the presence square and triangle shapes. How does the brain bind the right color to the right shape?
One way to study this problem is through Visual Search. In a visual search task, a person searches for a target within an array of other items (e.g., Where’s Waldo?). The speed at which a particular target can be found among particular non-targets is informative about the way its defining properties are encoded in the brain.

 

Format
In the first week students will formulate a research question and design an experiment based on the provided literature. To answer the research question students will be introduced to a programming environment that enables them to run an experiment using a visual search paradigm.
During the second week, students participate in each other’s experiments and are given a practical introduction to relevant statistical techniques. Students apply these techniques to analyze their data. At the end of the second week students will present their findings.

Students are evaluated based on their practical work and their final presentation.

Attendance
Due to the short duration and intensive nature of the lab course, 100% attendance is required.