Figural Synthesis

The aim of this book was to bring together different approaches to understanding pattern recognition, with more attention paid to how locally coded knowledge is put together to yield coherent representations of spatially extended patterns.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The aim of this groundbreaking book, originally published in 1984, was to bring together a diverse range of approaches to a crucial topic that had been the subject of extensive research in the two decades preceding its publication. In this period, significant strides had been made in our understanding of numerous aspects of visual coding, particularly in probing the nature of logical processes, whether physiologically or psychophysically. While considerable attention had been paid to understanding the responses of individual cells in the visual system to controlled stimulation and the specificity of channels assessed psychophysically, there had been relatively less discussion of how this knowledge could be applied to the broader challenges of understanding pattern recognition.

The book sought to bridge this gap by exploring various theories and methodologies related to figural synthesis, a process by which locally coded knowledge is combined to generate coherent representations of spatially (and temporally) extended patterns. It aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying visual perception and recognition, shedding light on the cognitive processes involved in perceiving and interpreting the world around us.

One of the key contributions of the book was its exploration of the role of attention in visual perception. It argued that attention plays a critical role in shaping the way we perceive and interpret visual information, and that different attentional strategies can lead to different perceptual outcomes. The book also discussed the role of memory in visual perception, highlighting the importance of memory structures and processes in storing and retrieving visual information.

Another important aspect of the book was its discussion of the neural mechanisms underlying visual coding. It explored the role of different types of neurons in the visual system, including ganglion cells, amacrine cells, and horizontal cells, in transmitting and processing visual information. The book also discussed the role of cortical areas, such as the visual cortex, in integrating and analyzing visual information, and the mechanisms by which visual signals are transformed into perceptual experiences.

The book also addressed the issue of pattern recognition, exploring the cognitive processes involved in recognizing and categorizing patterns in visual information. It discussed the role of similarity, contrast, and other visual features in pattern recognition, and the strategies used by humans and other animals to detect and classify patterns. The book also explored the development of pattern recognition abilities in infants and children, and the factors that influence their development.

In conclusion, this book was a pioneering work in the field of visual perception and recognition, and it has had a significant impact on the understanding of these cognitive processes. Its multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from psychology, neuroscience, and computer science, provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying visual perception and recognition. The book's insights have been widely used in the development of visual perception and recognition technologies, such as image recognition systems, and have helped to improve our understanding of the human visual system and its cognitive capabilities.

Weight: 760g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367713492