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Activity in perceptual classification networks as a basis for human subjective time perception

Author

Listed:
  • Warrick Roseboom

    (University of Sussex
    University of Sussex, Falmer)

  • Zafeirios Fountas

    (Imperial College London)

  • Kyriacos Nikiforou

    (Imperial College London)

  • David Bhowmik

    (Imperial College London)

  • Murray Shanahan

    (Imperial College London
    DeepMind)

  • Anil K. Seth

    (University of Sussex
    University of Sussex, Falmer
    Canadian Insitutute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Azrieli Programme on Brain, Mind, and Consciousness)

Abstract

Despite being a fundamental dimension of experience, how the human brain generates the perception of time remains unknown. Here, we provide a novel explanation for how human time perception might be accomplished, based on non-temporal perceptual classification processes. To demonstrate this proposal, we build an artificial neural system centred on a feed-forward image classification network, functionally similar to human visual processing. In this system, input videos of natural scenes drive changes in network activation, and accumulation of salient changes in activation are used to estimate duration. Estimates produced by this system match human reports made about the same videos, replicating key qualitative biases, including differentiating between scenes of walking around a busy city or sitting in a cafe or office. Our approach provides a working model of duration perception from stimulus to estimation and presents a new direction for examining the foundations of this central aspect of human experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Warrick Roseboom & Zafeirios Fountas & Kyriacos Nikiforou & David Bhowmik & Murray Shanahan & Anil K. Seth, 2019. "Activity in perceptual classification networks as a basis for human subjective time perception," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-08194-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08194-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Sebastian Reinartz & Arash Fassihi & Maria Ravera & Luciano Paz & Francesca Pulecchi & Marco Gigante & Mathew E. Diamond, 2024. "Direct contribution of the sensory cortex to the judgment of stimulus duration," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Evi Hendrikx & Jacob M. Paul & Martijn Ackooij & Nathan Stoep & Ben M. Harvey, 2022. "Visual timing-tuned responses in human association cortices and response dynamics in early visual cortex," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.

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