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Abstract:
The interpretation of a visual scene is influenced by
information other than that in current visual input. One important
source of information is the immediate perceptual history. Here, we
present direct evidence that the responses of cells in the temporal
lobe of the macaque monkey to the sight of static head and body
postures are controlled in part by the immediate perceptual
history. Cells located in the superior temporal sulcus were tested
with the sight of body actions, static body postures and
combinations of these in temporal sequences. About half of the
cells responded vigorously to a body posture when immediately
preceded by a particular body action naturally leading to that
posture. However, these cells did not respond to the same posture
when preceded by other body actions leading to that posture.
Presentation of the static body posture preceded by a blank screen
also did not excite these cells. The findings suggest that the
(anterior) temporal cortex is involved in the visual analysis of
temporal sequences of body movements and postures, which could
support comprehension of progressively more complex behaviour and
the formation of expectations about impending behaviour of
others.
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