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Normalization Models of Contextualized Touch

36 Pages Posted: 25 Jul 2018 Publication Status: Review Complete

See all articles by Md. Shoaibur Rahman

Md. Shoaibur Rahman

Baylor University - Department of Neuroscience

Jeffrey M. Yau

Baylor University - Department of Neuroscience

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Abstract

Divisive normalization is a canonical computation that explains contextual modulation of visual perception and neural responses in the visual system. Conceivably, normalization also underlies contextual modulation of bimanual touch, a perceptual process that likely requires combining what is felt on the hands with where the hands are located in space. Here, we evaluated participants’ ability to perform tactile discrimination tasks on one hand while we manipulated the tactile cues experienced on the other hand and the relative positions of the hands. We found that touch experienced on one hand systematically modulates how touch is perceived on the other hand. Notably, bimanual interaction patterns and their sensitivity to hand locations differed depending on whether participants performed a frequency or intensity discrimination task. In rigorous model competition, we found that these feature-dependent bimanual modulation patterns were well explained by distinct cue combination models that each comprised divisive normalization. Our findings indicate that, while feature-specific rules govern bimanual touch, normalization underlies contextual modulation between the hands.

Suggested Citation

Rahman, Md. Shoaibur and Yau, Jeffrey M., Normalization Models of Contextualized Touch (2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3219287 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3219287
This version of the paper has not been formally peer reviewed.

Md. Shoaibur Rahman

Baylor University - Department of Neuroscience

One Baylor Plaza
Apt 510
Houston, TX 77057
United States

Jeffrey M. Yau (Contact Author)

Baylor University - Department of Neuroscience ( email )

One Baylor Plaza
Apt 510
Houston, TX 77057
United States

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