The flexibility of individuation and ensemble representation

描述（由申请人提供）：视觉工作记忆是一种基本的认知资源，对于视觉空间推理、眼动指导和随时间推移的感知稳定性至关重要。以往对视觉工作记忆的研究主要集中在其容量的限制上，一般认为视觉工作记忆在同一时刻最多只能存储3 ~ 4个个体化的视觉信息。一个独立的研究机构专注于存储来自对象集合的平均特征的低分辨率表示（集合表示）的并行容量-但没有太多的工作探索两者之间的联系，它们通常被视为视觉研究中的独立主题。 相比之下，拟议的研究评估了两个相互竞争的假设，这两种模式的视觉表示如何相互关联。灵活表征模型预测，视觉系统可以灵活地在个性化和整体表征之间交替，可以说，在任何给定的时间选择最合适的表征类型。封装表示模型认为这些表示模式是自动的和不灵活的，两者总是并行发生。提出的研究评估这两个模型，依赖于记忆精度的行为和神经特征，以确定在应该（在灵活表征模型下）有利于存储集合而不是个体的条件下，个体化是否减少（和集合表征增强）。这些研究将使用EEG/ERP来测量所谓的个性化神经特征-对侧延迟活动（CDA），并将有助于揭示该信号是否真正反映了个性化的物体样表征，或更灵活的分层结构表征。重要的是，拟议的研究旨在产生一个 最终的结果-确认无论是灵活的模型或封装模型-并将代表在视觉记忆文学的重大进展，在任何情况下。 这些研究也可能揭示以前记录的自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的视觉处理缺陷。具体来说，先前的研究表明，ASD个体在全局或整体感知方面有困难，但在涉及狭隘焦点或精确表示部分的任务中似乎比典型发展中的个体更好。如果我们的研究证实了灵活表征模型，这将表明这些效应背后存在更根本的损害- ASD个体可能具有受损的灵活性，即使他们应该形成整体表征时也会个性化。 最后，本研究将为申请人提供视觉记忆和ERP研究方面的重要培训。虽然申请人以前研究过视觉注意力和知觉，但他没有广泛研究过视觉工作记忆，也没有做过EEG/ERP研究。因此，该项目的两个方面都代表了关键的培训，这将扩大申请人的研究技能范围。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Visual working memory is a fundamental cognitive resource, critical for visuospatial reasoning, guidance of eye movements, and the stability of perception over time. Much of the previous research on visual working memory has focused on its capacity limitations, with a general consensus that visual working memory can store detailed visual information from at most 3 or 4 individuated objects at any one time. A separate body of research has focused on a parallel capacity for storing lower-resolution representations of average features (ensemble representations) derived from collections of objects - but not much work has explored connections between the two, and they are often treated as separate topics in vision research. By contrast, the proposed research evaluates two competing hypotheses about how these two modes of visual representation relate to one another. The Flexible Representation model predicts that the visual system can flexibly alternate between individuation and ensemble representation, choosing, as it were, the type of representation most appropriate at any given time. The Encapsulated Representation model holds that these modes of representation are automatic and inflexible, with both occurring in parallel, all of the time. Te proposed studies evaluate these two models, relying on behavioral and neural signatures of memory precision to determine whether individuation is reduced (and ensemble representation enhanced) under conditions that should (under the Flexible Representation model) favor storing ensembles rather than individuals. These studies will use EEG/ERP to measure a purported neural signature of individuation - the contralateral delay activity (CDA), and will help reveal whether this signal truly reflects individuated object-like representations, or more flexible, hierarchically structured representations. Critically, the proposed studies are designed to yield a definitive result - confirming either the Flexible model or the Encapsulated model - and will represent a major advance in the visual memory literature in either case. These studies may also shed light on previously-documented visual processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, prior research has shown that ASD individuals have difficulty with global or holistic perception, but seem to be better than typically-developing individuals at tasks that involve narrow focus or precise representations of parts. If our studies confirm the Flexible Representation model, this would suggest a more fundamental impairment underlying these effects - ASD individuals may have impaired flexibility, individuating even when they should be forming ensemble representations. Finally, this research will provide the applicant with vital training in both visual memory and ERP research. While the applicant has previously studied visual attention and perception, he has not extensively studied visual working memory, nor has he previously done EEG/ERP research. Thus, both aspects of the project represent critical training that will broaden the scope of the applicant's research skillset.