Question

The visual system has specialized areas for perceiving faces, bodies, and places, but not other kinds of objects. Why might we have evolved specialized areas for these functions but not others? Theoretically, could the encoding of visual information be improved? How?

Answer 1

The temporal cortex is the area of the brain that specializes in perceiving faces, bodies, places, and motion. In specific, areas such as Middle Temporal Cortex (MT) and Medial Superior Temporal Cortex (MST) are responsible for detecting motion. An increase in the number of connections in the brain between the fusiform gyrus and the occipital face area helps the subject to identify faces. Similarly, based on the degree of strength between connections in the human brain allows us to perceive bodies, places, and move properly.

Visual perception has evolved in areas involving retinal stimulation, reasoning, and inference. One cannot function without the other. Visual perception is an area in the brain that can be developed from a young age by using visual perception techniques. This can include the use of toys, mini-games and the likes. By using proper visual perception training techniques, the brain's ability to capture visual information can be improved.

Neuroscience is a field that is fast gaining credibility in the improvement of memory techniques. One of the techniques that we can use to improve the encoding of visual information is by visual stimuli. Depending upon whether the stimuli last for short term or long term determines the effect of the stimuli on visual perception. It has been shown that rapid stimulation of visual areas can help in improving perception. An effective method is to work on the frequency of the stimuli thereby enabling better encoding of the visual information. So, yes there are theories that show that the encoding of visual information can be improved.