perceptues

Perceptues are a theoretical construct in cognitive science proposed as the basic units of perceptual content. In this framework, a perceptue is a discrete, bound representation that integrates information from multiple sensory modalities to form a coherent element of a perceived scene. Perceptues are smaller than whole perceptions and are assembled by the brain into stable objects or events.

Origin and terminology: The term perceptue has appeared in speculative discussions and in some computational models as a way to distinguish from ordinary percepts; it is not widely standardized and definitions vary among researchers. The concept is often described as an intermediate representation between raw sensory features and conscious perception.

Properties and formation: Perceptues are proposed to be composable, meaning that multiple perceptues can be combined to form complex scene representations. They are context-sensitive and subject to attentional modulation, with their salience influenced by expectations and goals. Perceptues are thought to be time-bound and dynamic, evolving as sensory input changes. In theory, they are linked to specific neural populations in higher-level sensory areas and may be reflected in certain patterns of neural activity observed with neuroimaging or electrophysiology, though evidence remains debated.

Relation to other concepts: Perceptues are distinct from percepts, which refer to conscious experiences, and from basic sensory features, which are individual attributes like color or motion. Perceptues are posited as integrated, reusable building blocks that can be bound to location, object identity, and context within a perceptual scene.

Applications and controversies: Some computational models of vision and multisensory integration employ perceptues as intermediate representations to explain binding and coherence across modalities. The concept remains controversial, with critics arguing that there is insufficient empirical consensus to warrant a separate intermediary stage between features and conscious experience.