Graduate Student / Postdoc Seminar

Dynamics of Perceptual Bistability: e.g., the Necker Cube

Speaker: John Rinzel

Location: Warren Weaver Hall 1302

Date: Friday, April 30, 2010, 1 p.m.

Synopsis:

When visualizing an ambiguous scene (such as the Necker cube) one may perceive ongoing temporal alternation (time scale, seconds) between the possible interpretations. Various dynamical models lead to alternating mutual exclusivity with neuronal competition implemented as reciprocal inhibition between neuronal populations. Is switching due to adequately strong slow negative feedback or induced by noise operating on a bistable system?