each cell in the visual system has a receptive field,
an area in visual space that excites or inhibits it. Is
the point in space from which light strikes the cell.
Lateral
inhibition- the
reduction of
activity in one
neuron by
activity in
neighbouring
neurons.
Simple cell- fixed
excitatory and
inhibitory zones.
The more
light shines
in the
excitatory
zone, the
more the
cell
responds
The more
light shines
in the
inhibitory
zone, the
less the cell
responds
Complex cell-
do not respond
to the exact
location of a
stimulus.
Responds to a
pattern of light in
a particular
orientation only
where within its
large receptive
field.
Inferior temporal
cortex- respond to
identifiable objects
and respond
accordingly to what
the viewer
perceives. Not
what it is
physically.
Fusiform
gyrus- area
in the ITC for
recognising
faces
Middle Temporal
Cortex- activated
by motion.
Receives input
from the
magnocellular
paths and detects
overall patterns.
Damage can
result in motion
blindness. Can
see objects, but
not in which
direction or if
they are moving.
Feature detectors-
responses indicate
the presence of
particular features.
Respond strongly to
bar or edge shaped
patterns.