Perceptual Expertise in the Lab and in the Wild
Jim Tanaka
University of Victoria

In an x-ray image, an experienced radiologist rapidly distinguishes a malignant tumour from a benign one. A seasoned birdwatcher quickly identifies a chipping sparrow hiding in the pine tree. It is this speeded, accurate and highly detailed recognition that is the hallmark of a perceptual expert. What are the cognitive processes and neural mechanisms that mediate this recognition process? In my talk, I will describe the visual strategies and visual information (e.g., spatial frequency, colour) that an expert employs to facilitate their fast recognition. I will discuss the applications of EEG techniques to identify the neural substrates of perceptual expertise and draw parallels to the perceptual expertise of face recognition. Finally, I will describe recent efforts to apply the principles of perceptual expertise to train a new generation of “citizen” experts. I will discuss the potential health benefits of novel expert training methods to assist in the areas of early cancer detection and cognitive aging.