PSYC 211 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: David H. Hubel, Superior Colliculus, Visual Cortex

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 211
• Professor: Yogita Chaudasama

Document Summary

Different cells react differently to the same information (receptive field) Area where, if we place a stimulus (light), that neuron will fire. Light has to go in a particular location in that area. Microelectrodes: electrical activities of single neurons (invasive technique penetrate the electrode in to brain; only done in the brain) Shine light in various location in the visual field while recording from a neuron ; if it excites the neuron when the light is shone (excitatory receptive filed on firing) If there is a reduction in the firing rate of the neuron (inhibitory off firing) On/off firing based on where light is located. Center will have contrasting effects (when light is in the center and center is on, there is a high fire rate and when the light is in the surrounding, less firing) opposite if off is the center. Studies suggest that the on and off cells signal different kinds of information.