The overarching goal of our research is to develop computational models to describe the functioning of the visual system at multiple levels, ranging from behavioral to neuronal. We work on building models that can explain a wide range of phenomena, including the effects of expectation, context, adaptation, and perceptual learning on visual processes. To do so, we conduct behavioral and neuroimaging experiments and build our models based on the results of those experiments. Some of the active projects are listed below.
Predictive Processing in Visual Perception
Sensory information we experience about the hidden states of the world is often incomplete, weak, ambiguous, or noisy. Thus, recognizing a stimulus based on only the sensory input may sometimes be very difficult. However, our visual system usually comes up with a useful interpretation of a visual scene pretty quickly because our prior knowledge facilitates perception while we make decisions. In this line of work, we investigate how prior knowledge and expectations affect early visual processes. We use psychophysics, computational modeling, and fMRI to unravel the effect of expectation on visual perception and the computational mechanisms underlying those effects. (This project has been supported by funds from TUBITAK). Here are some relevant readings
Malik, A, Doerschner, K, Boyaci, H (2023). Unmet expectations about material properties delay perceptual decisions. Vision Research, 208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2023.108223 (Also bioRxiv https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.07.28.501825)
Urgen, BM, Boyaci, H. (2021). Unmet expectations delay sensory processes. Vision Research, 181, 1-9, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2020.12.004 (Also bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/545244)
Urgen, BM, Boyaci, H (2021). A recurrent cortical model can parsimoniously explain the effect of expectations on sensory processes. bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.05.429913
Center-surround Interaction & Mechanisms of Neural Activity
Center-surround interaction, through which behavioral and neural responses to a stimulus are modulated by other stimuli presented in its surround, is a common working principle in the visual system. It is present at nearly all levels, from the retina to higher-level cortical areas. These interactions lead to suppression or facilitation of neural activity. There are, however, still many unanswered questions related to this mechanism. For example, how the extent of spatial attention affects this center-surround interaction. In this line of research, we use a well-known motion perception effect and behavioral and fMRI methods to investigate the interaction of center and surround in the human visual system. This allows us to test computational models of neuronal interactions at early levels of the visual system. (This project has been supported by funds from TUBITAK). For more about this research:
Kiniklioglu, M, Boyaci, H (2022). Increasing spatial extent of attention strengthens surround suppression. Vision Research, 199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2022.108074 (Also bioRxiv
Er, G, Pamir, Z, Boyaci, H (2020). Distinct patterns of surround modulation in V1 and hMT+. NeuroImage, 220, 117084, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117084. (Also bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/817171)
Turkozer, HB, Pamir, Z, Boyaci, H (2016). Contrast Affects fMRI Activity in Middle Temporal Cortex Related to Center-Surround Interaction in Motion Perception. Frontiers in Psychology, 7:454, 1-8, http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00454/full, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00454
Non-local Effects of Adaptation & Mechanisms of Neural Activity
Prolonged exposure to a certain adapter stimulus affects the perceived features of a subsequently presented test stimulus. This phenomenon causes well-known effects such as repulsive size adaptation and the tilt aftereffect. For example, in the size adaptation effect, if the adapter is larger than the test, the test object is perceived as smaller than its veridical size. Conversely, when the adapter is smaller than the test, the test object is perceived as larger than its veridical size. In previous studies in literature, the test stimulus has always been presented at the same location as the adapter stimulus. The spatial extent of these aftereffects has not been systematically studied, and what happened in the rest of the visual space was not known. In this line of research, contrary to the assumptions in the literature, we find that the effect of adaptation extends across the entire visual field. Further, we work on computational models to explain the local and non-local effects of adaptation using neural models. Here are some relevant readings
Gurbuz, T, Boyaci, H (2023). Tilt aftereffect spreads across the visual field. Vision Research, 205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2022.108174 (Also bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.21.496978)
Altan, E, Boyaci, H (2020). Size aftereffect is non-local. Vision Research, 176, pages 40-47, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2020.07.006. (Also bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.19.998161)
Effect of Context on Perceived Visual Features
It is well known that context affects perceived attributes of objects, such as size, color, lightness (perceived relative reflectance of a surface), and motion. In this line of research, we conduct extensive studies to understand behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying these contextual effects. For example, in one study, we investigated whether the perceived contrast of a grating varies with the luminance or lightness of its background. Suppose that we superimpose grating patterns on patches with equal luminance but different lightness (see Figure: in each image, the squares with gratings are identical); what happens to the perceived contrast of those gratings? Is contrast perception affected by context-dependent lightness? In this series of studies, we seek answers to these questions using psychophysical and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods. (This project has been supported by funds from TUBITAK). Read more.
Here are some relevant readings
, H (2023). Neural correlates of spatiotemporal properties of lightness induction. bioRxiv, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.07.28.550941v1
Pamir, Z, Boyaci, H (2016). Context-dependent Lightness Affects Perceived Contrast. Vision Research, 124: 24-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2016.06.003.
Boyaci, H., Fang, F., Murray, S.O., and Kersten, D. (2007). Responses to lightness variations in early human visual cortex. Current Biology, 17: 989-993. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.05.005.
Murray, S.O., Boyaci, H., and Kersten, D. (2006). The representation of perceived angular size in human primary visual cortex. Nature Neuroscience. 9: 429-434. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nn1641
Boyaci, H., Maloney, L. T., and Hersh, S. (2003). The effect of perceived surface orientation on perceived surface albedo in binocularly viewed scenes. Journal of Vision, 3: 541-553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/3.8.2
Perceptual Learning & Brain Plasticity
Extensive training on a certain visual feature can improve performance on various tasks related to that feature. For example, a person can become much better at detecting the direction of motion in a noisy and weak stimulus after long hours of training. This is called visual perceptual learning. This kind of learning is often specific to the trained stimulus, for example, its location and feature. In this project, we investigate the effect of training on a visual task and its neuronal correlates using magnetic resonance imaging. In the long run, we want to build models that can account both for short-term (i.e., adaptation) and long-term (i.e., learning) effects of prolonged exposure to stimuli and tasks. (This project has been supported by funds from TUBITAK).