Learning motion: human vs. optimal Bayesian learner.

We used the optimal perceptual learning paradigm (Eckstein, Abbey, Pham, & Shimozaki, 2004) to investigate the dynamics of human rapid learning processes in motion discrimination tasks and compare it to an optimal Bayesian learner. This paradigm consists of blocks of few trials defined by a set of target attributes, and it has been shown its ability to detect learning effects appearing as soon as after the first trial. In the present task a sequence consisting of four patches containing random-dot patterns is presented at four separate locations equidistant from a fixation point.