Event overview
Dr. Rob Ellis (University of Plymouth)
There are good reasons for supposing that perception and action are inseparable in the case of most human behaviours. I have suggested, for instance, that brain states represent visual objects by virtue of their being assemblies of visual and motor responses. It follows that a represented visual object (seen or imagined) will potentiate actions that are associated with it. Seeing a grape will facilitate a precision grip. Equally preparing a motor response will facilitate perception of objects associated with it. The intention to make a precision grip will facilitate the detection of a grape. At what level in the brain are these relationships established? A reasonable working assumption is that it is associated with relatively late (and high-level) processes corresponding to the achievement of object recognition. I will question this assumption, arguing that there is emerging evidence, including Lateralised Readiness Potential data, that the responses in early sensory pathways are modulated according to the action associations of stimuli. This is to suggest that the human brain is entirely immersed in action intentions and possibilities.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Dec 2009 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
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