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Project

From perceptual categorization to abstraction: unique perspectives from research with FPVS EEG in individuals with and without autism.

Categorization -  the ability to group things according to a common characteristic - and generalization -  the transfer (of categorization) from one situation to new instances and novel situations  - are essential to function efficiently in daily life. The ability to perceive differences and to discriminate, presents the counterpart of categorization and generalization. These perceptual processes determine how people organize their world and build on learned abstractions and representations. However, current categorization research lacks a complete picture of categorization with its complementary, neural processes and individual differences. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are suggested to experience difficulties with categorizing, which fits with their proposed enhanced ability to discriminate and reduced ability to generalize. This difficulty with categorization might cause or aggravate their characteristic problems in social interactions. The present project will investigate these fundamental processes of discrimination, categorization, generalization and abstraction concurrently, using controlled stimulus sets and solid behavioral paradigms combined with implicit neurological EEG measurements. Using this multi-modal approach, this project aims to enhance the understanding of the underlying neural underpinnings, interactions and mechanisms of these perceptual processes and differences between individuals with and without ASD.

Date:1 Oct 2017 →  Today
Keywords:Categorization, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Discrimination, Generalization, Abstraction, Perceptual Learning, Vision, EEG, Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation
Disciplines:Applied psychology, Human experimental psychology
Project type:PhD project