Neural evidence of encoding auditory objects requires modulation by perceptual reports
Evidence
We will take the position that auditory objects are analogous to perceptual representations (i.e., sounds) (Bizley and Cohen 2013 ). As a consequence of this definition, if a neuron encodes an auditory object, it should be modulated by a listener’s perceptual reports. That is, by holding a stimulus constant and testing whether neural activity is modulated by a listener’s reports, neural activity that is associated with the acoustic features of the stimulus can be dissociated from neural activity associated with the perceptual report. Thus, neurons with complex tuning properties or even those modulated by components of a task (Brosch et al. 2005 ; Fritz et al. 2005 ) may contribute to the construction of a perceptual representation; but by themselves do not offer direct evidence of a perceptual representation. — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 4886
Categorization
- DEFINE: Defines what would count as evidence a neuron encodes an auditory object: modulation by perceptual report under a constant stimulus, a crucial methodological criterion.
- XREF: This report-based dissociation criterion echoes neuroeconomic and vision choice-activity methodology (e.g., Nienborg and Cumming referenced later). — connects to: Neural encoding of perception is evidenced by modulation tied to listener reports; Perceptual deficits correlate poorly with audiogram thresholds and vary widely; Auditory detection and discrimination are distinct abilities that can diverge (+1 more)
- corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 4886