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Review
. 2024 Sep-Oct;15(5):e1683.
doi: 10.1002/wcs.1683. Epub 2024 May 13.

Bias in perceptual learning

Madeleine Ransom  1 , Robert L Goldstone  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Bias in perceptual learning

Madeleine Ransom et al. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci. 2024 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Perceptual learning is commonly understood as conferring some benefit to the learner, such as allowing for the extraction of more information from the environment. However, perceptual learning can be biased in several different ways, some of which do not appear to provide such a benefit. Here we outline a systematic framework for thinking about bias in perceptual learning and discuss how several cases fit into this framework. We argue these biases are compatible with an understanding in which perceptual learning is beneficial, but that its benefits are tied to both a person's narrow interests and the training environment or domain, and so if there are changes to either of these, then benefits can turn into liabilities, though these are often temporary. This article is categorized under: Psychology > Learning Philosophy > Value Linguistics > Language Acquisition.

Keywords: bias; inductive generalization; perceptual expertise; perceptual learning; race.

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References

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