David Hubel Contributions To Psychology

David Hubel's Contributions to Psychology: Unraveling the Mysteries of Vision

Introduction:

Ever wondered how your brain transforms light waves into the vibrant, detailed world you perceive? The answer lies, in part, with the groundbreaking work of David Hubel. This post delves into the monumental contributions of David Hubel to the field of psychology, specifically his revolutionary research on visual perception and the neural mechanisms underlying it. We'll explore his collaborations, experimental methods, key findings, and the lasting impact his work has had on our understanding of the brain and vision. Prepare to embark on a journey into the fascinating world of neuroscience, illuminated by the brilliance of David Hubel.


1. Early Life and Influences:

Born in Canada in 1926, David Hubel's path to becoming a pioneering neuroscientist wasn't predetermined. His early interest in medicine, spurred by his father's career as a physician, led him to McGill University where he initially pursued a medical degree. However, his curiosity about the underlying mechanisms of the body, particularly the brain, steered him towards research. This inherent inquisitiveness laid the foundation for his future collaborations and discoveries. The interdisciplinary nature of his medical training provided him with a unique perspective, bridging the gap between biological and psychological understanding. This early exposure to both clinical practice and scientific inquiry proved invaluable in shaping his approach to neuroscience research.

2. The Collaboration with Torsten Wiesel: A Partnership for the Ages

Hubel's name is inextricably linked with that of Torsten Wiesel, his long-term collaborator and co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981. Their partnership was a powerful synergy of complementary skills and perspectives. Hubel's meticulous experimental design and technical expertise combined perfectly with Wiesel's analytical prowess and theoretical insight. Together, they developed innovative techniques for studying the visual cortex, transforming our understanding of how the brain processes visual information. This enduring partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in scientific breakthroughs, showcasing how diverse strengths can lead to extraordinary achievements.


3. Revolutionary Techniques: Electrophysiological Recording in the Visual Cortex

Hubel and Wiesel's groundbreaking research relied heavily on sophisticated electrophysiological recording techniques. They meticulously inserted microelectrodes into the visual cortex of anesthetized animals, primarily cats and monkeys, to record the electrical activity of individual neurons. This allowed them to directly observe how these neurons responded to various visual stimuli, such as lines, edges, and orientations. The precision and patience required for this delicate procedure were paramount, and the data collected were painstakingly analyzed. This innovative approach was a significant methodological leap, providing a window into the intricate workings of the visual system at the cellular level. Their refined techniques became standard practice in the field and have been instrumental in countless studies since.

4. Key Discoveries: Receptive Fields and Feature Detectors

Their meticulous recordings revealed the existence of "receptive fields," specific regions of the visual field to which a neuron responds. Furthermore, they discovered that neurons in the visual cortex are highly specialized, responding selectively to particular features of visual stimuli, such as the orientation, movement, or color of lines. These "feature detectors" act as building blocks, contributing to our perception of complex visual scenes. This discovery profoundly shifted the understanding of visual processing from a holistic, undifferentiated approach to one that acknowledged the modularity and specialization of neural function within the visual cortex. This groundbreaking work laid the groundwork for many subsequent investigations into visual processing and object recognition.

5. Impact on Understanding Visual Development and Plasticity:

Beyond their work on adult visual systems, Hubel and Wiesel made critical contributions to our understanding of visual development. Their experiments demonstrated the importance of early visual experience in shaping the structure and function of the visual cortex. They found that depriving an animal of visual input during a critical period of development could lead to lasting impairments in visual perception. These findings underscored the concept of neural plasticity, showing that the brain is remarkably malleable, capable of adapting to environmental changes, but also vulnerable to disruptions during sensitive developmental stages. This research has had profound implications for understanding conditions such as amblyopia ("lazy eye") and the importance of early intervention in treating visual disorders.


6. Hubel's Later Work and Legacy:

Hubel continued his research long after his Nobel Prize, exploring other aspects of the visual system and expanding on his earlier findings. His contributions extend far beyond his collaborations with Wiesel, influencing numerous researchers and inspiring generations of neuroscientists. His work continues to serve as a foundation for current research in vision science, cognitive neuroscience, and even artificial intelligence. The development of sophisticated computer vision systems owes a great deal to the fundamental understanding of visual processing that Hubel’s work provided. His legacy is not merely a collection of scientific papers but a paradigm shift in how we approach the study of the brain and its intricate functions.


7. Conclusion:

David Hubel's contributions to psychology, primarily through his revolutionary research on visual perception, remain unparalleled. His work, in conjunction with Torsten Wiesel, transformed our understanding of the visual cortex, neural plasticity, and the development of visual systems. His rigorous experimental methods and insightful interpretations have had a lasting impact on neuroscience, providing a cornerstone for future research and inspiring countless scientists. The elegance of his experiments and the profound implications of his findings serve as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the transformative potential of collaborative research.


Book Outline: "Unraveling Vision: The Life and Work of David Hubel"

Introduction: Overview of Hubel's life and the importance of his contributions.
Chapter 1: Early Life, Education, and the Path to Neuroscience.
Chapter 2: The Hubel-Wiesel Collaboration: A Partnership of Genius.
Chapter 3: Experimental Methods: Electrophysiology and the Study of Visual Cortex.
Chapter 4: Key Discoveries: Receptive Fields, Feature Detectors, and their Implications.
Chapter 5: Visual Development and Plasticity: The Critical Period and its Significance.
Chapter 6: Impact on Neuroscience and Beyond: Applications in AI and Clinical Practice.
Chapter 7: Legacy and Lasting Influence: Inspiring Future Generations of Scientists.
Conclusion: Summary and Reflection on Hubel's enduring contribution to the field.


(Detailed explanation of each chapter would follow here, expanding on the points already discussed in the main article. This would create the full book manuscript.)


FAQs:

1. What specific visual impairments did Hubel’s research help explain? Hubel's work significantly advanced our understanding of amblyopia ("lazy eye"), strabismus, and other visual deficits arising from early developmental disruptions.

2. How did Hubel's research impact the field of artificial intelligence? His discoveries of feature detectors inspired the development of algorithms for object recognition and image processing in computer vision systems.

3. What awards did David Hubel receive for his work? He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981 (shared with Torsten Wiesel) and numerous other prestigious awards.

4. What animals were primarily used in Hubel and Wiesel's experiments? Cats and monkeys were the primary animal models used in their electrophysiological recordings.

5. What is the concept of "critical periods" in visual development? This refers to specific time windows during development where visual experience is crucial for proper cortical wiring and visual function.

6. What is the significance of receptive fields in visual processing? Receptive fields are the areas of the visual field that activate a particular neuron, playing a fundamental role in visual information processing.

7. How did Hubel and Wiesel's techniques revolutionize neuroscience? Their use of microelectrodes for single-cell recordings allowed for unprecedented precision in studying neural activity in the brain.

8. What is the broader impact of Hubel's research on our understanding of the brain? It highlighted the modularity and specialization of brain function, demonstrating how complex processes arise from the coordinated activity of specialized neural circuits.

9. Are there ongoing research areas inspired by Hubel and Wiesel’s work? Research into visual processing, brain plasticity, and the development of computational models for vision continues to be greatly influenced by their pioneering research.


Related Articles:

1. The Visual Cortex: A Deep Dive into Structure and Function: Exploring the different layers and functional areas of the visual cortex.
2. Neural Plasticity: The Brain's Ability to Rewire Itself: Examining the mechanisms and implications of brain plasticity throughout life.
3. Amblyopia: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Lazy Eye: A comprehensive look at this common visual disorder.
4. The Role of Experience in Brain Development: Discussing the impact of environmental factors on brain development and plasticity.
5. Object Recognition: How the Brain Makes Sense of Visual Stimuli: Examining the complex neural processes underlying object recognition.
6. Electrophysiology: Techniques for Studying Neural Activity: A detailed review of electrophysiological methods used in neuroscience.
7. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1981: A historical perspective on the award given to Hubel and Wiesel.
8. Computational Neuroscience: Modeling the Brain's Complex Systems: Examining computational approaches to understanding brain function.
9. The History of Visual Perception Research: Tracing the development of our understanding of how the brain processes visual information, from early pioneers to modern research.


  david hubel contributions to psychology: Brain and Visual Perception David H. Hubel M.D., Torsten N. Wiesel M.D., 2004-10-14 This is the story of a hugely successful and enjoyable 25-year collaboration between two scientists who set out to learn how the brain deals with the signals it receives from the two eyes. Their work opened up a new area of brain research that led to their receiving the Nobel Prize in 1981. The book contains their major papers from 1959 to 1981, each preceded and followed by comments telling how and why the authors went about the study, how the work was received, and what has happened since. It begins with short autobiographies of both men, and describes the state of the field when they started. It is intended not only for neurobiologists, but for anyone interested in how the brain works-biologists, psychologists, philosophers, physicists, historians of science, and students at all levels from high school to graduate level.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Eye, Brain, and Vision David H. Hubel, 1995-05-15 For over thirty years, Nobel Prize winner David H. Hubel has been at the forefront of research on questions of vision. In Eye, Brain, and Vision, he brings you to the edge of current knowledge about vision, and explores the tasks scientists face in deciphering the many remaining mysteries of vision and the workings of the human brain.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Key Thinkers in Psychology Rom Harre, 2006 The author presents an accessible textbook combining the personal history of the major protagonists of the last century organised by 'schools of thought', with their significant contributions to the discipline.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Principles Of Biopsychology Simon Greene, 2013-10-28 This book is intended to provide an introduction to the basic structure and function of the brain and nervous system, emphasizing relationships with behaviour. The first chapter introduces the field, covering aims, objectives and ethical issues. In chapter 2 the neuron is described, and electrical and chemical conduction presented in detail; this chapter also introduces neurotransmitter pathways and drug effects on normal and abnormal behaviour.; After a general survey of the behavioural organization of the nervous system in chapter 3, three chapters describe how language, learning and memory are related to brain mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on clinical data from human patients, and functional assymetries between the hemispheres. The following chapter outlines the Involvement Of Arousal Systems In Stress, Anxiety And Emotion, And Also covers stress reduction techniques. The arousal theme is maintained in chapter 8 in which sleep is discussed in the context of biological rhythms in psychological and physiological processes.; Chapter 9 covers The Biological Bases Of Motivational States Such As Hunger And Thirst, and discusses the concept of homeostasis. Non-homeostatic drives such as electrical self-stimulation of the brain are also considered. Finally, chapter 10 reviews sensory processes in general, and then concentrates on pain perception and the brain mechanisms underlying visual sensation and perception.; It is intended that the material in this book should satisfy the requirements of both the A-level syllabus for Psychology, whichever Board is taken, and first year introductory undergraduate courses in psychobiology.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Principles of Biopsychology Simon Green, 1994 Provides an introduction to the basic structure and function of the brain and nervous system, emphasizing relationships with behaviour.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Points of View in the Modern History of Psychology Claude E. Buxton, 2013-10-22 Points of View in the Modern History of Psychology is a collection of papers that presents each individual contributor's expert knowledge of history in the field of psychology. One paper examines Wilhelm Wundt's concept of psychology as the propaedeutic science surviving and inspiring a generation or more of psychologists. Another paper discusses the early sources and the basic conceptions of functionalism as used in America. John B. Watson proclaims behaviorism as a new discipline in psychology with defining features, such as an objective, deterministic, scientific, and experimental method that can be used in both human and animal studies. Lieberman (1979), Mackenzie (1977) Miller, Galanter, and Pribram (1960) oppose behaviorism on the grounds that it slights the purpose of psychology, and focuses more on methodology to the detriment of theory. One paper notes that the acceptance or influence that a point of view has is based in some ways on the range and clarity of its connections with experimental and observational reality. This collection can prove useful for psychologists, behavioral scientists, psychiatrists, psycho-analysts, students of psychology, philosophy or general history who are interested in the many viewpoints of psychology.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Introduction to Biopsychology Andrew P. Wickens, 2021-10-13 Understand the foundations of biological psychology and explore the stories behind important discoveries in the field. Everything you need to know about brain and behaviour – from sensory systems, eating disorders and sleep to drugs, language and memory. This fourth edition has been fully updated throughout, and includes new figures and diagrams, revised learning features, and clear explanations of over 330 key terms. Includes: The latest research on the neural basis of mental illness, degenerative diseases, and genetics Key Figure and Special Interest boxes spotlight interesting researchers, studies and discoveries of conditions End-of-chapter MCQs test understanding and support your preparation for assessments 250 full colour diagrams and figures illustrate the key concepts in each chapter Supported by online teaching and learning resources including drag and drop exercises for students, an instructor’s manual, testbank, and PowerPoint slides. Introduction to Biopsychology is essential reading for all Psychology students studying biological psychology.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Handbook of Psychology, History of Psychology Donald K. Freedheim, 2003-01-03 Includes established theories and cutting-edge developments. Presents the work of an international group of experts. Presents the nature, origin, implications, an future course of major unresolved issues in the area.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Contributions to General Psychology Robert Fox, 1968
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Vision David Marr, 2010-07-09 Available again, an influential book that offers a framework for understanding visual perception and considers fundamental questions about the brain and its functions. David Marr's posthumously published Vision (1982) influenced a generation of brain and cognitive scientists, inspiring many to enter the field. In Vision, Marr describes a general framework for understanding visual perception and touches on broader questions about how the brain and its functions can be studied and understood. Researchers from a range of brain and cognitive sciences have long valued Marr's creativity, intellectual power, and ability to integrate insights and data from neuroscience, psychology, and computation. This MIT Press edition makes Marr's influential work available to a new generation of students and scientists. In Marr's framework, the process of vision constructs a set of representations, starting from a description of the input image and culminating with a description of three-dimensional objects in the surrounding environment. A central theme, and one that has had far-reaching influence in both neuroscience and cognitive science, is the notion of different levels of analysis—in Marr's framework, the computational level, the algorithmic level, and the hardware implementation level. Now, thirty years later, the main problems that occupied Marr remain fundamental open problems in the study of perception. Vision provides inspiration for the continuing efforts to integrate knowledge from cognition and computation to understand vision and the brain.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Descartes' Error Antonio Damasio, 2005-09-27 An ambitious and meticulous foray into the nature of being. -- The Boston Globe A landmark exploration of the relationship between emotion and reason Since Descartes famously proclaimed, I think, therefore I am, science has often overlooked emotions as the source of a person’s true being. Even modern neuroscience has tended, until recently, to concentrate on the cognitive aspects of brain function, disregarding emotions. This attitude began to change with the publication of Descartes’ Error in 1995. Antonio Damasio—one of the world’s leading neurologists (The New York Times)—challenged traditional ideas about the connection between emotions and rationality. In this wondrously engaging book, Damasio takes the reader on a journey of scientific discovery through a series of case studies, demonstrating what many of us have long suspected: emotions are not a luxury, they are essential to rational thinking and to normal social behavior.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: What is Psychology?: Approaches to Psychology ,
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Brains Dale Purves, 2010-01-08 For 50 years, the world’s most brilliant neuroscientists have struggled to understand how human brains really work. Today, says Dale Purves, the dominant research agenda may have taken us as far as it can--and neuroscientists may be approaching a paradigm shift. In this highly personal book, Purves reveals how we got to this point and offers his notion of where neuroscience may be headed next. Purves guides you through a half-century of the most influential ideas in neuroscience and introduces the extraordinary scientists and physicians who created and tested them. Purves offers a critical assessment of the paths that neuroscience research has taken, their successes and their limitations, and then introduces an alternative approach for thinking about brains. Building on new research on visual perception, he shows why common ideas about brain networks can’t be right and uncovers the factors that determine our subjective experience. The resulting insights offer a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. • Why we need a better conception of what brains are trying to do and how they do it Approaches to understanding the brain over the past several decades may be at an impasse • The surprising lessons that can be learned from what we see How complex neural processes owe more to trial-and-error experience than to logical principles • Brains--and the people who think about them Meet some of the extraordinary individuals who’ve shaped neuroscience • The “ghost in the machine” problem The ideas presented further undermine the concept of free will
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Stevens' Handbook of Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Sensation, Perception, and Attention , 2018-02-12 II. Sensation, Perception & Attention: John Serences (Volume Editor) (Topics covered include taste; visual object recognition; touch; depth perception; motor control; perceptual learning; the interface theory of perception; vestibular, proprioceptive, and haptic contributions to spatial orientation; olfaction; audition; time perception; attention; perception and interactive technology; music perception; multisensory integration; motion perception; vision; perceptual rhythms; perceptual organization; color vision; perception for action; visual search; visual cognition/working memory.)
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Advances in Scientific Philosophy , 2023-06-26
  david hubel contributions to psychology: CliffsNotes AP Psychology Cram Plan Joseph M. Swope, 2020-08 CliffsNotes AP Psychology Cram Plan calendarizes a study plan for AP Psychology test-takers depending on how much time they have left before they take the May exam.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: History of psychology Donald K. Freedheim, Irving B. Weiner, 2003
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Conversations with Neil's Brain William H. Calvin, George A. Ojemann, 2010-09-22
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Research in Psychology Kerri A. Goodwin, C. James Goodwin, 2016-12-08 An approachable, coherent, and important text, Research in Psychology: Methods and Design, 8th Edition continues to provide its readers with a clear, concise look at psychological science, experimental methods, and correlational research in this newly updated version. Rounded out with helpful learning aids, step-by-step instructions, and detailed examples of real research studies makes the material easy to read and student-friendly.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Introduction to Psychology Jennifer Walinga, Charles Stangor, This book is designed to help students organize their thinking about psychology at a conceptual level. The focus on behaviour and empiricism has produced a text that is better organized, has fewer chapters, and is somewhat shorter than many of the leading books. The beginning of each section includes learning objectives; throughout the body of each section are key terms in bold followed by their definitions in italics; key takeaways, and exercises and critical thinking activities end each section.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: The History of Neuroscience in Autobiography Larry R. Squire, 1998-10-16 This book is the second volume of autobiographical essays by distinguished senior neuroscientists; it is part of the first collection of neuroscience writing that is primarily autobiographical. As neuroscience is a young discipline, the contributors to this volume are truly pioneers of scientific research on the brain and spinal cord. This collection of fascinating essays should inform and inspire students and working scientists alike. The general reader interested in science may also find the essays absorbing, as they are essentially human stories about commitment and the pursuit of knowledge. The contributors included in this volume are: Lloyd M. Beidler, Arvid Carlsson, Donald R. Griffin, Roger Guillemin, Ray Guillery, Masao Ito. Martin G. Larrabee, Jerome Lettvin, Paul D. MacLean, Brenda Milner, Karl H. Pribram, Eugene Roberts and Gunther Stent. Key Features * Second volume in a collection of neuroscience writing that is primarily autobiographical * Contributors are senior neuroscientists who are pioneers in the field
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Rhythms of the Brain G. Buzsáki, 2011 Studies of mechanisms in the brain that allow complicated things to happen in a coordinated fashion have produced some of the most spectacular discoveries in neuroscience. This book provides eloquent support for the idea that spontaneous neuron activity, far from being mere noise, is actually the source of our cognitive abilities. It takes a fresh look at the coevolution of structure and function in the mammalian brain, illustrating how self-emerged oscillatory timing is the brain's fundamental organizer of neuronal information. The small-world-like connectivity of the cerebral cortex allows for global computation on multiple spatial and temporal scales. The perpetual interactions among the multiple network oscillators keep cortical systems in a highly sensitive metastable state and provide energy-efficient synchronizing mechanisms via weak links. In a sequence of cycles, György Buzsáki guides the reader from the physics of oscillations through neuronal assembly organization to complex cognitive processing and memory storage. His clear, fluid writing-accessible to any reader with some scientific knowledge-is supplemented by extensive footnotes and references that make it just as gratifying and instructive a read for the specialist. The coherent view of a single author who has been at the forefront of research in this exciting field, this volume is essential reading for anyone interested in our rapidly evolving understanding of the brain.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Webvision Helga Kolb, Eduardo Fernandez, Ralph Nelson, 2007
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions Anne Runehov, Lluis Oviedo, 2013-05-18 To all who love the God with a 1000 names and respect science” In the last quarter century, the academic field of Science and Theology (Religion) has attracted scholars from a wide variety of disciplines. The question is, which disciplines are attracted and what do these disciplines have to contribute to the debate? In order to answer this question, the encyclopedia maps the (self)-identified disciplines and religious traditions that participate or might come to participate in the Science and Religion debate. This is done by letting each representative of a discipline and tradition answer specific chosen questions. They also need to identify the discipline in relation to the Science and Religion debate. Understandably representatives of several disciplines and traditions answered in the negative to this question. Nevertheless, they can still be important for the debate; indeed, scholars and scientists who work in the field of Science and Theology (Religion) may need knowledge beyond their own specific discipline. Therefore the encyclopedia also includes what are called general entries. Such entries may explain specific theories, methods, and topics. The general aim is to provide a starting point for new lines of inquiry. It is an invitation for fresh perspectives on the possibilities for engagement between and across sciences (again which includes the social and human sciences) and religions and theology. This encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work for scholars interested in the topic of ‘Science and Religion.’ It covers the widest spectrum possible of academic disciplines and religious traditions worldwide, with the intent of laying bare similarities and differences that naturally emerge within and across disciplines and religions today. The A–Z format throughout affords easy and user-friendly access to relevant information. Additionally, a systematic question-answer format across all Sciences and Religions entries affords efficient identification of specific points of agreement, conflict, and disinterest across and between sciences and religions. The extensive cross-referencing between key words, phrases, and technical language used in the entries facilitates easy searches. We trust that all of the entries have something of value for any interested reader. Anne L.C. Runehov and Lluis Oviedo
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Psychology Around Us Nancy Ogden, Michael Boyes, Evelyn Field, Ronald Comer, Elizabeth Gould, 2021-06-28 Psychology Around Us, Fourth Canadian Edition offers students a wealth of tools and content in a structured learning environment that is designed to draw students in and hold their interest in the subject. Psychology Around Us is available with WileyPLUS, giving instructors the freedom and flexibility to tailor curated content and easily customize their course with their own material. It provides today's digital students with a wide array of media content — videos, interactive graphics, animations, adaptive practice — integrated at the learning objective level to provide students with a clear and engaging path through the material. Psychology Around Us is filled with interesting research and abundant opportunities to apply concepts in a real-life context. Students will become energized by the material as they realize that Psychology is all around us.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: It's a Jungle in There David A. Rosenbaum, 2014-05 It's a Jungle in There proposes that the overarching theory of biology, Darwin's theory, should be applied to cognitive psychology. Taking this approach, David Rosenbaum suggests that the phenomena of cognitive psychology can be understood as emergent interactions among dumb neural elements competing and cooperating in a kind of inner jungle.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Brain and Behaviour Bryan Kolb, Ian Whishaw, 2016-10-18 Revisiting the Classic Studies is a series of texts that introduces readers to the studies in psychology that changed the way we think about core topics in the discipline today. It provokes students to ask more interesting and challenging questions about the field by encouraging a deeper level of engagement both with the details of the studies themselves and with the nature of their contribution. Edited by leading scholars in their field and written by researchers at the cutting edge of these developments, the chapters in each text provide details of the original works and their theoretical and empirical impact, and then discuss the ways in which thinking and research has advanced in the years since the studies were conducted. Brain and Behaviour: Revisiting the Classic Studies traces 17 ground-breaking studies by researchers such as Gage, Luria, Sperry, and Tulving to re-examine and reflect on their findings and engage in a lively discussion of the subsequent work that they have inspired. Suitable for students on neuropsychology courses at all levels, as well as anyone with an enquiring mind.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: How the Body Shapes the Way We Think Rolf Pfeifer, Josh Bongard, 2006-10-27 An exploration of embodied intelligence and its implications points toward a theory of intelligence in general; with case studies of intelligent systems in ubiquitous computing, business and management, human memory, and robotics. How could the body influence our thinking when it seems obvious that the brain controls the body? In How the Body Shapes the Way We Think, Rolf Pfeifer and Josh Bongard demonstrate that thought is not independent of the body but is tightly constrained, and at the same time enabled, by it. They argue that the kinds of thoughts we are capable of have their foundation in our embodiment—in our morphology and the material properties of our bodies. This crucial notion of embodiment underlies fundamental changes in the field of artificial intelligence over the past two decades, and Pfeifer and Bongard use the basic methodology of artificial intelligence—understanding by building—to describe their insights. If we understand how to design and build intelligent systems, they reason, we will better understand intelligence in general. In accessible, nontechnical language, and using many examples, they introduce the basic concepts by building on recent developments in robotics, biology, neuroscience, and psychology to outline a possible theory of intelligence. They illustrate applications of such a theory in ubiquitous computing, business and management, and the psychology of human memory. Embodied intelligence, as described by Pfeifer and Bongard, has important implications for our understanding of both natural and artificial intelligence.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Sleights of Mind Susana Martinez-Conde, Stephen L. Macknik, Sandra Blakeslee, 2011-02-03 What can magic tell us about ourselves and our daily lives? If you subtly change the subject during an uncomfortable conversation, did you know you're using attentional 'misdirection', a core technique of magic? And if you've ever bought an expensive item you'd sworn never to buy, you were probably unaware that the salesperson was, like an accomplished magician, a master at creating the 'illusion of choice'. Leading neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde meet with magicians from all over the world to explain how the magician's art sheds light on consciousness, memory, attention, and belief. As the founders of the new discipline of NeuroMagic, they combine cutting-edge scientific research with startling insights into the tricks of the magic trade. By understanding how magic manipulates the processes in our brains, we can better understand how we work - in fields from law and education to marketing, health and psychology - for good and for ill.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Biological Psychology James W. Kalat, 1984
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Successful Aging Daniel J. Levitin, 2020-01-07 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NATIONAL BESTSELLER SILVER MEDALIST for the 2022 Axiom Business Book Award for Success/Motivation/Coaching SHORTLISTED for the 2021 Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Award Author of the iconic bestsellers This Is Your Brain on Music and The Organized Mind, Daniel Levitin turns his keen insights to what happens in our brains as we age, why we should think about health span, not life span, and, based on a rigorous analysis of neuroscientific evidence, what you can do to make the most of your seventies, eighties, and nineties today no matter how old you are now. Successful Aging uses research from developmental neuroscience and the psychology of individual differences to show that sixty-plus years is a unique developmental stage that, like infancy or adolescence, has its own demands and distinct advantages. Levitin looks at the science behind what we all can learn from those who age joyously, as well as how to adapt our culture to take full advantage of older people's wisdom and experience. Throughout his exploration of what aging really means, Levitin reveals resilience strategies and practical, cognitive enhancing tricks everyone should do as they age. The book is packed with accessible and discussable takeaways, providing great material for reading groups and media coverage. Successful Aging inspires a powerful new approach to how readers think about our final decades, and it will revolutionize the way we plan for old age as individuals, family members, and citizens within a society where the average life expectancy continues to rise.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Things and Places Zenon W. Pylyshyn, 2007 The author argues that the process of incrementally constructing perceptual representations, solving the binding problem (determining which properties go together), and, more generally, grounding perceptual representations in experience arise from the nonconceptual capacity to pick out and keep track of a small number of sensory individuals. He proposes a mechanism in early vision that allows us to select a limited number of sensory objects, to reidentify each of them under certain conditions as the same individual seen before, and to keep track of their enduring individuality despite radical changes in their properties--all without the machinery of concepts, identity, and tenses. This mechanism, which he calls FINSTs (for Fingers of Instantiation), is responsible for our capacity to individuate and track several independently moving sensory objects--an ability that we exercise every waking minute, and one that can be understood as fundamental to the way we see and understand the world and to our sense of space.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Psychology, Vol. 1 Philip David Zelazo, 2013-03-21 This handbook provides a comprehensive survey of what is now known about psychological development, from birth to biological maturity, and it highlights how cultural, social, cognitive, neural, and molecular processes work together to yield human behavior and changes in human behavior.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Seeing and Visualizing Zenon W. Pylyshyn, 2003 How we see and how we visualize: why the scientific account differs from our experience.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: The Form Within Karl H Pribram, 2013-02-05 THE FORM WITHIN is the fascinating story of two hundred years of pioneering brain research, told from the unique perspective of the only brain scientist who has been, and still remains, an active participant in that story throughout the past seventy years: Karl H. Pribram. In THE FORM WITHIN, Dr. Pribram takes us on a compelling journey from the dawn of our collective “recorded perceptions” in cave paintings to our greatest achievements as a species. He explains the important task of mapping the brain; the discovery of our holographic processing of memory and perception; and the detailed research that has created our understanding of self-organizing biological systems. Along the way, Pribram shares the intimate interactions he has had with luminaries of twentieth-century science, including David Bohm, Francis Crick, John Eccles, Dennis Gabor, Hubel and Wiesel, Wolfgang Kohler, Karl Lashley, Aleksandr Romanovitch Luria, Ilya Prigogine, B. F. Skinner, Eugene Sokolov, and many others. But this riveting glimpse into our past is only a part of the story. Pribram also provides us with insightful breakthroughs into a science of the future, and points the way to where our understanding of the brain is headed.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Culture Across the Curriculum Kenneth Dwight Keith, Kenneth D. Keith, 2018-04-12 Provides background content and teaching ideas to support the integration of culture in a wide range of psychology courses.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: The New CBT Mike Abrams, 2017-12-31 Filling a void in the clinical literature, The New CBT: Clinical Evolutionary Psychology integrates new techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with evidence-based evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics. The text addresses the need for clinicians to be conversant with the burgeoning research that has linked evolutionary and genetic processes to psychological problems. This text makes these essential elements accessible to both clinicians and their clients so they can develop a deeper understanding of crucial clinical topics, such as emotional feelings, cognition, and behavioral change. The New CBT explains the processes of the mind and provides solutions to many of the problems that arise when these processes lead to dysfunction or distress. The text reviews how the application of evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics provides both etiological insights and novel treatments for each of the major psychological disorders. Readers are offered evidenced-based explanations of how evolution and genetics can pragmatically resolve the enduring problem of nature versus nurture. Additionally, they come to understand how eons of environmental changes have guided the way people deal with distress, perceive their environment, and judge others as well as themselves. By viewing both normative and problematic behavior through an evolutionary lens, readers gain new perspectives in applying CBT that are thoroughly modern, effective, and take into consideration cutting-edge research. The New CBT is an ideal text for upper-division courses in psychology, psychotherapy, and psychopathology, especially those with an emphasis on CBT. It is also an excellent resource for practicing clinicians who wish to update or reframe their understanding and use of CBT, evolutionary psychology, or behavioral genetics. Mike Abrams is a practicing psychologist and clinical researcher with a specialty in cognitive behavioral therapy. He is an adjunct full professor in the M.A. program in psychology at New York University and Managing partner of Psychology for New Jersey, LLC a clinical research corporation. He is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology and a supervisor, fellow, and diplomate of the Albert Ellis Institute. Dr. Abrams studied and worked closely with Dr. Albert Ellis, with whom he published several books, chapters, and articles on REBT and CBT. Dr. Abrams has also authored four other books on psychology and has practiced or taught professional psychology for more than thirty years. His research into the evolutionary basis of sexual and trauma disorders led the publication along with David Buss of the first clinical protocol combining evolutionary psychology and CBT.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Psychology Wayne Weiten, 2009-02 Weiten's PSYCHOLOGY: THEMES AND VARIATIONS, 8E International Edition maintains this book's strengths while addressing market changes with new learning objectives, a complete updating, and a fresh new design. The text continues to provide a unique survey of psychology that meets three goals: to demonstrate the unity and diversity of psychology's subject matter, to illuminate the research process and its link to application, and to make the text challenging and thought-provoking yet easy from which to learn. Weiten accomplishes the successful balance of scientific rigor and a student-friendly approach through the integration of seven unifying themes, an unparalleled didactic art program, real-life examples, and a streamlined set of learning aids that help students see beyond research to big-picture concepts. Major topics typically covered in today's courses are included, such as evolutionary psychology, neuropsychology, biological psychology, positive psychology, applied psychology, careers, and multiculturalism and diversity.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: A Taxonomy of Visual Processes William R. Uttal, 2014-06-27 Originally published in 1981, this third volume deals with the empirical data base and the theories concerning visual perception – the set of mental responses to photic stimulation of the eyes. As the book develops, the plan was to present a general taxonomy of visual processes and phenomena. It was hoped that such a general perspective would help to bring some order to the extensive, but largely unorganized, research literature dealing with our immediate perceptual responses to visual stimuli at the time. The specific goal of this work was to provide a classification system that integrates and systematizes the data base of perceptual psychology into a comprehensive intellectual scheme by means of an eclectic, multi-level metatheory invoking several different kinds of explanation.
  david hubel contributions to psychology: Psychology Michael W. Passer, Ronald Edward Smith, 2007 This textbook reflects its authors' experiences both as faculty members who have taught the introductory psychology course several dozen times, and, earlier, as students whose own interest in psychology was sparked by instructors who brought the introductory course to life. The text's flexible organizing framework (Levels of Analysis), depth of research, emphasis on critical thinking, and engaging writing help instructors convey the expanse and excitement of the field of psychology, while maintaining scientific rigor. The new third edition features a separate chapter on intelligence, chapter reorganizations, and updated research throughout.