# The Functions and Mechanisms of Perceptual Learning

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2021 · $360,275

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
Research in perceptual learning has demonstrated a remarkable ability of training or practice to enhance
perception in the adult human. The last thirty years have yielded many important findings about how people
learn, what limits transfer, how generalization can be improved, how to model learning, and the nature of
visual plasticity. At the same time, learning and transfer have been measured at a relatively coarse scale that
leads to relatively inaccurate measures of learning in individuals, which could be very important to choosing
adapted training options. Related issues of estimation have also limited the types of training protocols that
have been studied. The objective of this research is to use innovative new adaptive performance assessment
(based on Bayesian principles) to provide unbiased and high precision estimates of learning in individuals. We
also use computational neural network models to generate predictions about more complicated training
regimens that are then tested experimentally. We develop a framework for searching among these predictions
computationally to identify better (optimized) training methods. The long-term goal is to develop efficient new
assessments of learning and transfer and the modeling techniques that may then be applied to improve clinical
applications, rehabilitation, and perceptual expertise identified as key aspects of the NEI mission.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10244942
- **Project number:** 5R01EY017491-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Barbara A. Dosher
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $360,275
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2000-07-15 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10244942

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10244942, The Functions and Mechanisms of Perceptual Learning (5R01EY017491-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10244942. Licensed CC0.

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